Last year's Cliffhanger

One of the UK’s biggest outdoor festivals is returning to its roots, with a change of venue to its original home.

Cliffhanger will this year be staged in Sheffield’s biggest open space, Graves Park, which hosted the first festival.

The move follows the success of previous Cliffhangers, attended by thousands of people in Millhouses Park. This year’s festival will feature live music, a beer tent, a 5km trail run and a cycle sportive into the Peak District.

Organisers Heason Events are also looking at staging a mountain bike slalom race in the park, and the British Bouldering Championships will also take place at the event.

There will be on-site camping and parking during the weekend in July. Sheffield City Council and tourism body Welcome to Yorkshire are sponsoring the event, along with retailer Rat Race.

Festival director Matt Heason said: “This is a big step up for Cliffhanger. Graves Park is a brilliant venue, right in the heart of the city but on the doorstep of the Peak District. It spreads over more than 200 acres and is surrounded by ancient woods.

“We’ll have much more space for all the activities as well as a live music stage on Friday and Saturday nights and it’ll be much more convenient with on-site parking and camping.

“In some ways this feels like we’re coming back to our roots as the first ever Cliffhanger was held in Graves Park.

“We’ve had a fabulous time at Millhouses Park but with more than 20,000 people now visiting Cliffhanger the move to Graves Park makes sense.

“We’ll have all the have-a-go activities and demos we’re renowned for, like slack-lining, bocking, bike polo, climbing, diving & orienteering.

“But what’s really exciting is the potential for trail races in the woods and perhaps even a sportive bike ride out into the Peak District.”

Jim Mee, managing director of Rat Race Adventure Sports said: “We’re really excited to be partnering up with Sheffield City Council on an event that’s been going as long as it has, but obviously strives to be a little bit different every year.

“There’s a whole new element here. The participation sports are great, and the entertainment is something that really suits the Cliffhanger audience but also Graves Park, plus our Basecamp campsite means visitors can make a real weekend adventure out of Cliffhanger.

“There’ll be four elements: run, bike, music and camping.

“On Saturday we’re starting with nice, accessible 5km trail run in the woods. On the Sunday we’ll have a sportive ride going out into the Peak – probably around the 50km mark.

“Then we’ll have local talent on the music stage on Friday evening with a headline act on Saturday night. Good beer, good food, and a good atmosphere that’s really geared to coming along with families or mates.”

Cliffhanger will take place on 7 and 8 July. Details, including admission prices, are on the event’s website.