Urban Caving

About

Take an underground adventure into the rarely seen underbelly of Sheffield City Centre…

We’ve teamed up with Sheffield Adventure Film FEstival (ShAFF) and youth hostelling charity YHA (England & Wales) to offer this exclusive opportunity to venture into the Victorian storm drain network beneath the city, for an underground audio-visual spectacular.

Sheffield is home to more than 150 miles of rivers and streams, but few people are aware of the expansive network of rivers that flow beneath the city. You will safely venture into these tunnels in groups of 15, accompanied by caving experts from YHA’s Castleton Youth Hostel in the Peak District.

Not only that, but ShAFF will be bringing along a pop-up screen and projector to present an audio-visual experience line no other, taking “immersive” cinema to a whole new level. 

Along your urban caving adventure, you’ll also hear about the city’s ground-breaking work to uncover its lost waterways, joining a worldwide movement in daylighting.

The population of central Sheffield is rising rapidly every year, creating an urgent demand for more open spaces, whilst climate change is resulting in much more frequent and extreme storms which overflow the culverts and threaten flooding. For all these reasons the time is overdue to start the rediscovery and daylighting of our lost rivers, joining a truly worldwide movement which is making headlines in both northern and southern hemispheres. This Urban Caving tours will highlight this opportunity and challenge by allowing people to experience some of Sheffield’s hidden rivers, watch films in the Victorian storm drains, and learn about plans to start their rescue through a new, dedicated, charitable trust - putting the Sheaf back in Sheffield.

The largest chamber in storm drain network is known locally as ‘Megatron’. Pease note, that though the tours will stop briefly by the entrance, for safety reasons they won’t actually be venturing into the Megatron chamber itself.

​​​Places for this exclusive Urban Caving experience are limited, booking is essential. Specialist equipment will be provided but you’ll need to bring your own wellies, gloves and walking poles. A change of clothes is also recommended. 
 

Urban caving Trip 1 - Sat 23 10:00-12:00      SOLD OUT

Urban caving Trip 2 - Sat 23 13:00-15:00      SOLD OUT

Urban caving Trip 3 - Sat 23 16:00-18:00      SOLD OUT

Urban caving Trip 4 - Sun 24 10:00-12:00     SOLD OUT

Urban caving Trip 5 - Sun 24 13:00-15:00     SOLD OUT

Urban caving Trip 6 - Sun 24 16:00-18:00     ON SALE at 20:00 on Thursday 14 March

 

Disclaimer: This is not an activity to be undertaken by the general public at any other time. 
The Urban Caving trips are a unique opportunity to access the Victorian storm drains with permission from Sheffield City Council and under the supervision of qualified YHA guides, subject to public liability insurance and risk assessment. This activity should not be undertaken by the general public, and we do not endorse that anyone do so in any way shape or form without prior permission and accompanied by qualified guides.

Event attendees undertake the Urban Caving trip at their own risk. These trips may be subject to cancellation if adverse weather conditions arise, and the event organisers withhold the right to cancel any of the trips if any safety conditions at any time for any reason, are compromised. If a cancellation should occur, organisers will endeavour to rearrange the trip, or exchange the ticket for an alternative event managed by Heason Events.