Museum

Kelham Island Museum

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Housed in a former industrial building on a historic island, Kelham Island Museum tells the story of Sheffield's steel and manufacturing heritage. Visitors can see the 12,000-horsepower River Don Engine, a steam engine that once powered a rolling mill, demonstrated daily. The museum also displays tools, cutlery, and machinery that shaped the city's identity, offering a hands-on look at the gritty, innovative spirit of the Industrial Revolution.

Don't miss

  • Watch the River Don Engine steam demonstration, a thunderous display of 19th-century engineering
  • Explore the 'Sheffield Steel' gallery with its collection of iconic knives, scissors, and tools
  • See the reconstructed Victorian workshop and hear stories from former steelworkers

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Ways to visit Kelham Island Museum

You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.

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