Sheffield City Industrial Heritage Trail

Stage Report

Wanting to do something different while my wife and daughter were shopping in Sheffield city centre I chose this walk which would take me an hour or so before meeting them in the city for lunch. As I admire our industrial heritage this walk was ideal. I was lucky to have the book The Star Family Walks: The Peak District and South Yorkshire — A Year of Weekend Rambles to hand where this walk is found. The starting point, Globe Works, is believed to be the world's oldest factory. It is now a craft centre for artisans. A cafe bar is also found on the site. From the Globe Works I followed the main road to West Bar Roundabout. On the way I passed the Nichols Building. Both Nichols and West Bar looked big works in their heyday, now antiques and craft fair buildings too.

Next I walked along Corporation Street towards Alma Street. On the way I passed the swish grounds and new buildings of the Crown Court. At least let's make the setting nice even if proceedings in the buildings are often grim. Near the courts in a nice garden area a sign read: “Industry: Between West Bar and the River Don lies centres of industrial heritage. By the 18th century, saw makers, scissorsmiths, cutlers and steel forgers clustered here.” The sign was part of the Grey to Green initiative. Next up I reached a building with a grand display of an industrial worker on the gable end. A great picture in my eyes, very evocative.

I was reaching the highlight of the walk now and soon after passing one of Sheffield Hallam University's buildings I saw it. And when I did I was gobsmacked. Kelham Island is a fascinating place. There is an industrial museum to enjoy. There are showpieces outside. The setting itself is awesome and thought-provoking. Quite now — all heavy industry shut down — yet I could easily imagine the grunt and grind, smoke and fumes of this place in its very active days. I read an information board on Kelham Island about The Furnace Trail: Early steel making and metal industries in the Kelham Island area of Sheffield. I shall have to do that next time.

The Bessemer Converter and the Chimney House were highlights of Kelham Island too, the converter drawing everyone's eyes on site toward it, looking like a very big cement mixer. Nowadays, where industry once ruled, leisure has taken over. Lots of craft pubs were in the area — The Fat Cat, Craft and Dough, and the Grind Cafe to name just a few. I was tempted to try one out, but I had an appointment with the girls to keep.

First though I headed back towards the start of my walk by way of Green Lane, passing the impressive entrance to Green Lane Works on the way. The original Green Lane Works were established in 1795 by the firm of Hoole and Company who were manufacturers of ornamental stove grates and fenders in bronze and metal. The firm flourished and their products won a first council medal at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and a médaille d'honneur at the Exposition Universelle of 1855. That is an impressive accolade. Next up the Ship Inn, another pretty pub. “No, can't go in, must keep my promise to the ladies.”

My finale was an appointment with the River Don, the most important factor in the birth of industry in the city. Without the constant flow of water, steelmaking and related industries would not have blossomed here. At Ball Street Bridge, more impressive factory works including Alfred Beckett and Sons Ltd, Steel, Saw and File Works. And Neepsend Rolling Mills too. All fascinating stuff. The River Don itself, mightily impressive and a fitting finale to my walk. At Samuel Walker works by the river a group of people were on a balcony and having a good time enjoying drinks and refreshments. My cue to leave my lovely short walk exploring the industrial heritage of Sheffield and meet the ladies in town. It was time for my lunch too.