Lovers of history, technology and things that glisten when sharpened, a unit of the Kelham Island Museum! This is a gem of an exhibition, with enormous metal structures and all kinds of information on industrial products such as their giant steam engine. With collections of knives, bomb casings and old school engines, this provides viewers with a meaningful look into the relation between Sheffield and steel. Fun for kids and adults alike, this museum will prove to be entertaining for everyone and is also equipped with a cafe, so you can relish a delicious bun and some coffee after exploring the exhibits.

The museum is located on a man-made island, which was once inhabited by a corn mill, an iron foundry and then an electrical power station which is now the building the museum is located in. The exhibitions on science and Sheffield industry have been recognized by numerous engineering and historical institutions, with their Bessemer Converter, being the largest surviving one in England, winning an Engineering Heritage Award from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. The museums, interactive galleries follow the industrial growth of Sheffield, the Steel City, from skilled workmanship to production. Visitors will be fascinated by the growth of the city, starting from the Industrial Revolution, right through the Victorian era and the two World Wars, finally resting at the industrial Sheffield that stands today.

This museum is ideal for a family day out. The exhibits are said to ooze nostalgia for local residents of the city and should provide visitors with an excellent sketch of olden day Sheffield. Kids will be thrilled when the staff demonstrates some of their functioning equipment such as the steam engine, while adults should find the reconstructed ‘Little Mesters’ street interesting.

Some museum highlights include the Charlesworth Transport Gallery, The National Fairground Archive and the Hawley Gallery, which contains over 100,000 objects that make up the Hawley Tool Collection. A few galleries are hands on, the kids would love to play dress up and pretending they’re grinders and buffer girls or compare their heights with the world’s biggest bomb. Your child will have a ton of fun in the Melting Shop Children’s Play Area, where they’ll be tousled and swirled around in a ball pit and then poured, rolled up, hammered and forged into an imaginary steel product.

There are numerous great family events you’d love, such as a Victorian styled Christmas market that will surely leave you feeling regal. You can enrich your knowledge with their Living History educational program packed with cross-curricular themes and activities which attract many schools and group visits. There are so many things to see, learn and experience in this impressive island museum that a visit is absolutely necessary.

• Recommended time to visit would be 11:00 am.
• Don’t miss the mighty 12,000hp River Don Engine, the most powerful working steam engine remaining in Europe, in steam every Monday - Thursday (12:00 pm & 2:00 pm) and Sunday (12:00 pm, 2:00 pm & 4:00 pm).
• Visit their Museum Shop selling a wide range of ‘Made in Sheffield’ books and gifts - perfect for that unique gift or simply Sunday browsing with free admission to our shop and Furnace Café.
• Kelham Island Museum can be hired for evening receptions, social gatherings, meetings and conferencing, providing a unique space for temporary exhibitions or bespoke events.
• Height restrictions apply in The Melting Shop Children’s Play Area.

• Group discounts and guided tours are available as advanced bookings only.
• Accompanied Children are admitted free of charge.

• 15, 53, 37 – Closest bus stop – Mowbray Street.
• 81/82, 79/79A, 84, 85/85A, 17A, 35, 36, 37, 57 SL, 38 – Gibraltar Street.
• 53 (Ecclesfield) - Nearest Bus stops are on Mowbray Street.
• 11/12, 14, 17, 57/57A, 58, 66, 77, 78 Nearest Bus stops are on Gibraltar Street.
• The nearest station is Sheffield. We are a 25 minutes walk to Kelham Island or a short tram ride.

• Little Mesters Cafe and Bistro
• Fat Cat
• The Riverside

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