Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet

About this activity

Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet is a unique eighteenth century industrial works, and you'll step into the past and explore the industry that shapred Sheffield today. Immerse yourself in life at home and at work dating back to the 1700s! 

You'll be transported back through the centuries and discover all about the innovative processes and people that made Sheffield known as the Steel City. Imagine life was like in the Manager's House and Worker's Cottage, see the waterwheels that powered the Hamlet and even discover the last surviving crucible steel furnace in the UK.

The waterwheel is the star attraction, and it would generate about 30 horsepower and you can even see it in action today. See the two massive tilt hammers housed inside the Tilt Forge which was built in 1785 and the fam which was the source of Abbeydale's power. 

See what live was like to live in a two-storey cottaged and it's furnished too to show what living conditions were like for workers in the mid 1800s. There's the counting house where the foreman carried out all of the admin work on the site and the blacking shop where scythes were painting to protect them from rust!

There's lots of events all year round too! From discovering the craft workshops to the orchard and victorian garden, they're family friendly and it's a great way for the kids to learn all about the area and how history has made Sheffield into what is is today.