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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

Reopening Thu 3 Apr 2025

Opening Times

Thu–Sat 10am–4pm | Sun 11am–4pm

Joni, the Hamlet cafe, is open daily

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.

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