Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, Sheffield, for families
Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet preserves the cottages, waterwheel and machinery of a metalworking village that sold scythes around the world.
Why visit Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet
Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet is a well-preserved former metalworking village in the southwest of Sheffield. The Abbeydale Works closed down in 1933, but was saved by local philanthropist JG Graves, and eventually turned into a museum.
The idea of Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet is to give a glimpse of what life would have been like in this 19th century toolmaking community. That means going inside the worker’s and manager’s cottage, seeing the dam that fed the waterwheel and seeing the machines that the wheel powered.
The displays explain the different roles played in the operation, from the cellar boys sweeping up the debris to the women who packed the razor-sharp scythes in straw for transportation.
Abbeydale Works was at its peak in the 1850s, when its scythes and saws were sold all around the world, but metal has been shaped here on the banks of the fast-flowing River Sheaf for 800 years.
Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet with kids
Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet is classic school trip territory, and falls on the worthy rather than entertaining side of the attraction scale.
That said, children do tend to enjoy seeing how people used to live – how uncomfortable the beds are, how the toilet was basically the riverbank and how hot it would have been next to the furnaces.
There’s also lots to pick up and handle, even if you’re never quite sure what they should be leaving alone. They can play at picking up crucibles with tongs and sitting at grinding wheels.
It’s worth collaring one of the volunteers that roam the site, as they can give far more detail about life at the Abbeydale Works than the signage does.
Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet review: The best bit
The best bit of the Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet is the blacksmith’s forge, where toolmakers still make knives using traditional methods, forging the metal in the fire, then hammering the red hot knives into shape over the anvil. There’s a wow factor of seeing just how hot the metal gets, plus a surprise in learning that things are still done the old way.
Infants, juniors or secondary?
Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet’s appeal is going to be based on interest level rather than age. Some kids will get into it, others will be bored stupid. The presentation is dry and arguably best suited to those in the 10 to 14 zone, but the hands-on nature appeals to younger kids.
Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet entry prices
Entrance to Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet in Sheffield is free, although donations are requested.
Prices were last checked and updated on 12 October 2024.
Full day, half day or a couple of hours?
A visit to Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet should realistically last an hour or two.
Attractions near Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet
Nearby attractions that can be combined with a visit to Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet include:
- Higger Tor in the Peak District.
- The National Videogame Museum in Sheffield City Centre.
- Longshaw Estate in the Peak District.
Nearby cities
Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet is in the southwestern suburbs of Sheffield.
Other cities within a 90 minute drive of Leeds City Museum include Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Doncaster, Nottingham, Derby, York, Hull, Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester, Stoke-on-Trent and Lincoln.
Is it open on Mondays?
Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet is not usually open on Mondays. It is open from Thursday to Sunday each week, but closes over the winter months.
More information
For more information, visit the Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet section of the Sheffield Museums website.
