Heritage Open Days 2023: Tours of Kelham Island, Neepsend and Yellow Arch Studios
This year’s Heritage Open Days will see Kelham Island Walks running two walking tours and offering a chance to see inside recording and music venue Yellow Arch Studios. The tours on offer include not only the regular Kelham Island Walk, but a chance to try out a brand new walking tour around Neepsend.
This year’s Heritage Open Days will see Kelham Island Walks running two walking tours and offering a chance to see inside recording and music venue Yellow Arch Studios. The tours on offer include not only the regular Kelham Island Walk, but a chance to try out a brand new walking tour around Neepsend. Tickets are free, but limited, and must be booked online in advance. Tickets will be available from 5pm on 24 August 2023.
Tues 12 September, 6pm - Kelham Island Walking Tour
This is the regular walking tour of Kelham Island that is available throughout the year. The walk brings to life one of Sheffield’s first industrial districts. You’ll discover its buildings, stories about its history, the successes and the tragedies of the people who made it what it is, and an insight into the place today.
Further details and how to book your place here
Thurs 14 September, 6pm - Neepsend Walking Tour
This is a brand new walk that has been in the makings for about 18 months. This walk brings to life the story of how Neepsend grew from a small hamlet by the river to a thriving working class community. Today it is still a vibrant part of Sheffield, but its past is still there to see if you know where to look.
Further details and how to book your place here
Sun 17 September, 10.45am, 12.45pm and 2.15pm - Yellow Arch Studios tours
Working with Yellow Arch Studios, Kelham Island Walks is offering the opportunity to visit this hub of Sheffield’s music scene guided by one of its founders Andy Cook. Yellow Arch Studios is now one of Sheffield's top live music and recording venues, but the building dates back to the 1870s when it was a part of Sheffield's industry. Three separate tours will be run on the day which will tell the story of its industrial past and its music present.
Further details and how to book your place here
Discover Heritage Open Days
Heritage Open Days is an annual event where every September, thousands of events are organised by volunteers giving people a chance to see more of our history and culture. This year’s its on from 8th to 17th September. As well as countless walking tours, there are lots of buildings that only open to the public this one time of the year. You can see a full list of what’s on in Sheffield on the Heritage Open Days website.
The first Kelham Island walking tour that was open for anyone to book and come along was held as part of Heritage Open Days in 2019, and that event was key in raising the profile and success of Kelham Island Walks. Also available in the area is a lunchtime Lowlights at Kelham Island Museum tour, Meet the Little Mester also at Kelham Island Museum, a Kelham Island Pub Heritage Walk, a Sheffield Home of Football talk, beer and cellar tour at the Gardener’s Rest pub in Neepsend, a tour of Sheffield Street Art in Neepsend and Kelham Island, as well as many others in, around and connected to the area.
Sheffield Heritage Open Days 2021
If you're interested in history and seeing little known parts of the city then Sheffield Heritage Open Days is the event for you. It's on from 10 to 19 September and is entirely free. It includes free guided walks, tours of fascinating buildings from the grand to the ordinary, online talks, and special events at places that may be more familiar.
If you're interested in history and seeing little known parts of the city then Sheffield Heritage Open Days is the event for you. It's on from 10 to 19 September and is entirely free. It includes free guided walks, tours of fascinating buildings from the grand to the ordinary, online talks, and special events at places that may be more familiar. You can see a full list of what's on in at Sheffield Heritage Open Days online and free booklets will also be available around the city. Heritage Open Days runs across England (largely excepting London which has its own Open House London event on 4-12 September) and so there’s plenty of other places to visit too.
Here are some of the places you can visit in and near Kelham Island and Neepsend. Whilst many are on a 'just turn up' basis there are others that need booking, and they can get booked up fast.
Aizlewood's Mill, Nursery Street
Friday 10 and Tuesday 14 September
Guided tours of this Victorian flour mill that dominates the surrounding area. Bookings by email.
Gardeners Rest, Neepsend Lane, Sheffield. Photo: Anders Hanson
Brewery talk and tasting, Gardener's Rest, Neepsend Lane
Tuesday 14 September
Learn about traditional brewing and get to taste some of the wares too. Bookings by Eventbrite.
Wednesday 15 September
An online talk that goes through a range of over 50 unusual objects made in Sheffield and sent all around the world to adorn dining tables. Booking to be announced
Gardener's Rest Festival of Food and Drink, Neepsend Lane
Throughout
During the Heritage Open Days festival, the Gardeners Rest will be paying homage to Sheffield's traditional, locally-produced food and drink to mark this year's Edible England theme. Just turn up.
Industrial Collection Store Tour, Kelham Island Museum, Alma Street
Wednesday 15 September
This tour gives you the rare chance to visit the collection stores at Kelham Island Museum and get a little bit closer to the fascinating objects that aren’t currently on display.
Holy Trinity Church, Nursery Street
Throughout
Grade 2 listed building erected in 1848 for Wicker district parish. During the flood of 2007, the church was extensively damaged. The congregation is refurbishing to its former glory. Just turn up
Pub Heritage Walk: Kelham Island
Friday 17 September
This event is a short walking tour in the Kelham Island area of Sheffield. It encompasses both aspects of the industrial heritage of the area and of the ‘Beer Capital’ status owned by the City of Sheffield. Bookings by Eventbrite.
Tales of City Centre Music Halls of West Bar
Tuesday 14 and Thursday 16 September
Linear walk exploring the ‘Shaftesbury Avenue’ of Sheffield and the history of local music hall. A walk round the West Bar area, visiting the sites of long gone music halls, circuses and pub singing rooms, with tales of the managers, artistes and clientele of these establishments. Bookings by Eventbrite.
The history of the Gardener's Rest talk with cellar tour, Neepsend Lane
Wednesday 15 September
A chance to learn about the fascinating history of this Victorian pub, plus a rare opportunity to visit the cellars and learn about how real ale is kept. Bookings by Eventbrite.
Zion Graveyard, Attercliffe, Sheffield. Resting place of Mary Anne Rawson. Photo: Anders Hanson
Wardsend Cemetery, Livesey Street, Hillsborough
Sunday 12 and Tuesday 14 September
Join us for " A Wardsend Wander" in our Cemetery next to the River Don. You will hear about producers of agricultural tools and silverware manufacture through market gardening, livestock rearing and brewing, to a world of competitive sports’ achievements. Bookings by Eventbrite.
Zion Graveyard, Lawrence Street/Zion Lane, Attercliffe
Sunday 12 September
Explore a unique historic burial ground and find out about key members of Georgian Attercliffe. You will also see the grave of Kelham Island's very own Mary Anne Rawson. Just turn up.