Rainy Day Activities: Discover Sheffield’s story at Kelham Island Museum

Kelham Island, South Yorkshire

The ‘Steel City’s’ unique industrial story is brought to life through interactive galleries at this captivating indoor museum.

Sheffield is known across the world for its quality steel and the skilled workers behind it; Kelham Island Museum celebrates that unique industrial heritage. It stands on a 900-year-old manmade island in the UK’s oldest industrial district. Here, you’ll see the mighty River Don Engine, the most powerful working steam engine in Europe and over 100,000 fascinating objects that make up the renowned Hawley Tool Collection.

Explore interactive galleries and visit the Little Mesters Street workshops where skilled craftsmen still carry out their craft. Kelham Island Museum’s latest exhibit is The Millowner’s Arms, a gallery complete with a traditional bar that celebrates Sheffield’s Brewing heritage, from being the biggest brewing city in England to its numerous microbreweries of today. There's also an indoor children's play area to keep the little ones happy on a rainy, wet day.

Entry to Kelham Island Museum costs £7.50 per adult (with children under 16 entering for free with an adult); the museum is open 10am to 4pm between Monday and Thursday.

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Entrance to Kelham IslandEntrance to Kelham Island. © Will Roberts
The Bessemer ConverterThe Bessemer Converter. © Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust
River Don Steam EngineRiver Don Steam Engine. © Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust
A Little Mester at workA Little Mester at work. © Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust
Inside Kelham IslandInside Kelham Island © Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust

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