Shepherd Wheel Workshop

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Following the latest official government advice, we regret to announce that all Sheffield Industrial Museum Trust sites are now closed to the public and school groups.

Kelham Island Museum, Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet and Shepherd Wheel Workshop will remain closed until further notice and will reopen as soon as possible, following government recommendations.

We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you updated of any changes through our website and social media channels.

If you have any queries, please contact ask@simt.co.uk

Thank you.  We look forward to welcoming you back soon.

 

Open every weekend & Bank Holiday Monday

A unique working example of Sheffield’s knife grinding industry

Explore the picturesque Porter Valley and the water-powered workshops along Sheffield’s rivers

Hear stories about the grinders who worked here over the centuries

Set in the picturesque valley of the Porter Brook, Shepherd Wheel is a unique working example of Sheffield's knife grinding industry.

It was one of many small water-powered grinding workshops along Sheffield's rivers and is the earliest complete example of this industry with evidence dating it back to the 1500s.

In this workshop, in dark, damp conditions, skilled grinders produced fine, sharp cutting edges. It was not until the 1930s that grinding ceased and the Wheel's pivotal role in Sheffield's cutlery industry ended.

See the restored working waterwheel and machinery in action along with the tools of the trade for cutlery grinding and hear stories about the grinders who worked here over the centuries at this Grade II listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Shepherd Wheel received £1million Heritage Lottery Funding for restoration of the waterwheel and site and eopened to the public in April 2012. Find out more about the restoration project below.

 

Shepherd Wheel Map

What's on

Sorry, no event information is available at the moment.

Dam

The water to turn the wheel comes from the large dam where water is diverted from the River Porter.

Contact us

Get in touch with us using the form below or email ask@simt.co.uk
Venues