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Old whitewashed workshop with exposed wooden roof beams and a row of grinding wheels with ‘saddles’. Old whitewashed workshop with exposed wooden roof beams and a row of grinding wheels with ‘saddles’.

© Andy Brown

© Andy Brown

Grinding Hull

Continuing Display

Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet

***The Grinding Hull is currently closed for a building inspection and maintenance. We look forward to welcoming you back to as soon as we're able***

 

See where edge tools were sharpened to a fine cutting edge in the Grinding Hull.

 

The Hull was built in 1817, and originally housed 6 grindstones and 2 glazing stones, all powered by a waterwheel. The stones were 6 feet in diameter when new and hung in a trough filled with water to keep the stone wet when grinding.

Grinding was a very dangerous occupation, with the grinder sat astride a wooden horsing, or saddle, over the stone and held the blade against the stone as it spun round.

Free Entry | Please Donate £5

Opening Times

Thu–Sat 10am–4pm | Sun 11am–4pm

Closed Mondays including Bank Holidays

Joni, the Hamlet cafe, is open daily

There will be no access to the lower car park on Mon 15 and Tue 16 Sep while we begin work to improve it and extend its capacity

During this time, free on-road parking is available just along Abbeydale Road South – please avoid parking on the residential roads nearby as this can obstruct access for emergency vehicles.

***There is currently no access to the Manager's House while we make improvements to the Hamlet***

***The All About Abbeydale displays are closed while we introduce a new welcome area at the Hamlet – we look forward to welcoming you to the new space when the redevelopment work is complete***

Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet

Abbeydale Road South

Sheffield

S7 2QW

Grinding Hull

© Andy Brown

  • Grinding Hull

    © Richard Connolly

  • © Richard Connolly

  • © Ian M Spooner

  • © Ian M Spooner

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See Sheffield’s knife grinding history brought to life at Shepherd Wheel Workshop.

Experience the working waterwheel and machinery in action, see the tools of the trade and hear stories about the grinders who worked here over the centuries.

Find out more
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