Shepherd Wheel Workshop

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Shepherd Wheel Workshop Part of Sheffield Museums, Shepherd Wheel is a unique working example of Sheffield's knife grinding industry.

This water-powered workshop dates back to the 1500s and displays the tools of the trade for cutlery grinding. Shepherd Wheel 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.

11/07/2026

Morning everyone, Shepherd Wheel Workshop will be closed this weekend due to staff illness. We're sorry if you were hoping to visit – it’ll be open again as usual next weekend.

15/02/2026

Shepherd Wheel Workshop is closed today (Sun 15 Feb) due to staff illness. We’re sorry if you were hoping to visit and we look forward to welcoming you soon.

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12/08/2025

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04/08/2025

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11/01/2025

We’re unable to run the waterwheel at Shepherd Wheel Workshop this weekend due to the low temperatures and the rear courtyard is closed because of the slippy conditions. As you can see, it’s very icy! 🥶 The Grinding Hull is open for viewing as usual.

05/01/2025

***UPDATE: Kelham Island Museum, Millennium Gallery and Weston Park Museum will close at 3.30pm today to ensure our team can travel home safely.***

Due to the bad weather and its impact on transport, there are some closures and limited openings across the museums today:

❄️Shepherd Wheel Workshop is closed

❄️Ambulo, the cafe at Weston Park Museum is closed and access to the museum's collection displays may be limited over lunchtime

❄️Ambulo, the cafe at The Millennium Gallery is closed but the rest of the gallery is open as usual

❄️Kelham Island Museum is open and the River Don Engine will run as usual but the visitor car park will be closed due to icy conditions

We're sorry if that impacts your plans to visit today, we look forward to welcoming you as usual from Tuesday.

👇👇👇 Our Christmas opening hours 👇👇👇
17/12/2024

👇👇👇 Our Christmas opening hours 👇👇👇

29/08/2024
17/08/2024

🎉 We’re happy to report that the waterwheel and machinery is back in action at Shepherd Wheel Workshop this weekend! 🎉

Our engineer and volunteers are looking forward to welcoming you!

👇👇👇 Maybe of interest! 👀
29/07/2024

👇👇👇 Maybe of interest! 👀

Address

Off Hangingwater Road, Whiteley Woods
Sheffield
S112YE

Opening Hours

Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

0114 272 2106

Website

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