Kelham Island, Sheffield

Once the beating heart of the steel industry, Kelham Island is now one of the most exciting districts in Sheffield.

The engraving “Made in Sheffield” continues to stand for quality on knives and forks around the world, while products of the Steel City still hold up bridges as far afield as Brooklyn. To get a sense of Sheffield’s manufacturing and engineering heritage, there’s no better place to head than one of the oldest industrial areas in the city: the man-made Kelham Island. As well as ornate street signs, cobbled lanes and the odd gas lamp, evidence of Sheffield’s past metal works is scattered all around the area – with the Kelham Island Museum a good place to start.

Where once molten steel flowed day in and day out, today it’s ale that is poured most profusely in this part of Sheffield. The many pubs concentrated here have breathed new life into the area. The Fat Cat pub, which boasts a colourful beer garden, is dedicated to small breweries and guest beers. The Ship Inn (which, incidentally, has a great jukebox) is said to be haunted by the ghost of a drowned sailor, while the Kelham Island Tavern could pretty much wallpaper itself with its countless CAMRA certificates. Alternatively, take a tour around the Kelham Island Brewery.

And alongside great ale goes great food. The Cutlery Works, the largest independent food hall in the North, is a hub of food and drink activity – with pop-up vendors offering food from around the world. Head to Jöro, a restaurant made entirely from upcycled shipping containers, for innovative fine dining or The Milestone for contemporary locally-sourced food. Meanwhile, Peddler serves up street food, craft beer, live music and art once a month in the Peddler Warehouse.

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