‘I got bored of holidays – so here’s how I beat travel blues’ | Travel News | Travel

They say that in life, the best things are found right under your nose. Ever had a date from hell? The love of your life could be your best friend. Got turned down from one job? The next one could be a random LinkedIn message away to your old colleague.

And if you wanted to take a trip of a lifetime that you never knew you needed, you don’t have to travel far to discover such a place. Britain is full of holiday hotspots that don’t always get a look in because we’re always looking abroad for the best Instagrammable trip.

But one day, I found myself yearning to try something closer to home. I had grown a little tired of flying abroad and reading about other countries introducing tougher barriers to entry, particularly the EU and its entry-exit system, due to come into effect this autumn after much delay.

And it appears I’m not alone – a YouGov poll from 2024 found that the UK topped the list of places Brits would go on a vacation, beating the likes of Spain and Greece.

In addition, research by data analysts Consumer Intelligence found that 52% of Brits would much rather enjoy a staycation than go abroad.

But where to go? In the end I whittled my perfect staycation down to two of my favourite things in the world. 

One: hiking, as I know Britain boasts plenty of breathtaking hiking trails. Two: alternative music. Britain is undoubtedly the home of some of the coolest bands ever to exist – Def Leppard, Cabaret Voltaire, Pulp and the Human League are legendary.

So combining those two passions, I wound up taking a staycation to remember in the one place I never expected. Sheffield is not usually the place one would consider for a staycation.

But for four days, it’s where I called home and its close proximity to the Peak District won me over. And so as I whizzed up the Midland main line in excitement, I was already plotting my hiking route – and I already knew which part of the Peaks I wanted to climb.

Bamford Edge is one of the Peaks’ most iconic spots, with its large slab of rock hanging over the Ladybower Reservoir being an Instagrammer’s paradise.

Plenty of people taking daring photos of themselves either sitting on the edge or trying to do handstands on it. And I was hoping to follow in their footsteps (I’m an adrenaline junkie – and I’m proud of it).

Before I went on the climb, I spent the first two days taking in the sights and sounds of the Steel City. It was a cute little blend of old and new buildings; Grade I and Grade II-listed buildings are dotted around, sitting side-by-side with more modern contraptions.

One minute, I marvelled at the ornate beauty of Sheffield Cathedral and Weston Park Museum; the next, I smiled on seeing the Winter Garden and dozens of street art murals.

Monuments commemorating my fave rockers were few and far between as a lot have been demolished, but I did walk past the former nightclub (now a Sainsbury’s) where two members of the Human League were spotted, and I spotted a mural of our good friend Jarvis Cocker.

Then came the day of the hike. Showers were forecast, so off I went with an umbrella, backpack and trusty phone to guide me up the rugged terrain of deepest Derbyshire.

The village of Bamford was a 20-minute train ride from Sheffield, while the walk from the station to Bamford Edge was considerably longer.

The roads in the village are on a gradient, making the walk exciting and challenging on equal parts. It’s definitely not for the faint-hearted. It was also fabulous to see swathes of green farmland for a change.

An hour after leaving the station, I arrived at my first pitstop of the day at Ladybower Reservoir. This vast Y-shaped facility was opened by King George VI in 1945 and it was a stunning thing to see up close.

Then came the hike through the dark forests. It was incredible I still was able to receive such good GPS signal in these parts. The wind was picking up a bit and the heavens started to spit, making the walk up that much more testing.

But I was still determined to make that ascent. One minute the trails were wide, the next they were so narrow I had to tip-toe along them at a steep incline. Indiana Jones, eat your heart out.

After what seemed like an eternity pushing through bushes and traversing up narrow paths, I finally reached the top. I walked through the rugged terrain of this part of the Peak District until I got closer to Bamford Edge. The wind made my walk that much more treacherous, but it was still a thrill.

I finally managed to get a few photos of myself perched on the edge before I looked down at how far I’d come. It was breathtaking. It may not have been Everest, but for me this was the closest thing.

Getting back down from Bamford Edge almost ended in disaster. I slipped in a puddle in mud and lost my phone in the field for all but 30 seconds. All at 1,300ft above sea level. My heart was thumping.

I thought I was going to perish here. Thankfully I found it and got back down on terra firma, dirty, disheveled but delighted. Even the bus driver who took me back into Sheffield town centre didn’t mind that I looked like a sack of rubbish.

I felt sore, tired and exhausted back at my hotel room, but my word, the climb was worth it. It truly was one of the best moments of my life. And I needed that feel-good fix.

I mentioned earlier that I had grown tired of going abroad. Well, that was half true. Weeks prior to climbing up the Peak District, I had suffered some major setbacks in my personal life and at the time, I never thought I would ever get to see this day.

And here I was. This experience was transcendental in more ways than one. it made me realise that if I can do something as exhilarating as scale Bamford Edge on my own, I can do anything in life. It was incredible.

And I didn’t have to look too far to find this lightbulb moment. I didn’t have to fly halfway across the world to find salvation. It was a two-hour trip to the North that did it.

Once again, the best things in life can be found right under your nose.

Ravi stayed at the Hampton Inn Sheffield by Hilton, with prices starting from £76 per night and includes breakfast. Click here for more information.