Kelham Island Museum, Sheffield
Creative Tourist
Located in one of the city’s oldest industrial districts, Kelham Island Museum stands on a man-made island over 900 years old. The museum first opened in 1982 and offers a comprehensive showcase of Sheffield’s industrial history.
With many interactive galleries, the museum traces the Steel City’s rich history – from light trades and skilled workmanship to the mass production of modern times. Find out what it was like to live in Sheffield during the Industrial Revolution and throughout the two world wars. Discover how the art of steel-making established Sheffield as one of England’s main industrial cities and why ‘Made in Sheffield’ remains a mark of quality internationally.
A great family day out – be sure to check out the reconstructed ‘Little Mesters Street’ where you can see two of the last Little Mesters, busy in their workshops. You can also view the 12,000hp River Don Engine, the most powerful working steam engine in Europe.
Further highlights include the Transport Galleries, complete with the iconic Sheffield Simplex – a vehicle built to rival the Rolls Royce, and the Hawley Gallery which is home to over 100,000 objects, all relating to Sheffield’s tool, cutlery manufacturing and silversmithing industry.
Little ones will enjoy exploring Sheffield’s industrial heritage through a variety of hands-on activities too. Blending history with imaginative play, giddy kippers will enjoy the Melting Shop Play Area where they can pretend to be melted, poured, rolled and hammered, whilst learning all about steelmaking.
The museum also has a gift shop selling a wide range of ‘Made in Sheffield’ books and gifts, from local history books, toys and jewellery to pewter-ware and handcrafted tools.
