Old Queen's Head, Sheffield
The Old Queen's Head is a historic pub in Sheffield, known for being the oldest surviving domestic building in the city. This timber-framed structure dates back to around 1475, making it a significant architectural relic from the 15th century. It has been designated as a Grade II* listed building since 1952, highlighting its cultural and historical importance.
Originally, the building was part of the estate of George Talbot, the 6th Earl of Shrewsbury, and the earliest recorded mention of it appears in a 1582 inventory, where it was referred to as "The hawle at the Poandes" or "Hall i' th' Ponds." It is believed that the building may have served as a banqueting hall for parties hunting wildfowl in the nearby ponds, which were located at the confluence of the Porter Brook and the River Sheaf. These ponds no longer exist, but their legacy persists in local place names like Pond Street, Pond Hill, and Ponds Forge.
By the early 19th century, the building was repurposed as a house. In 1840, a pub named the Old Queen's Head opened in a neighboring building. After 1862, the pub expanded into the historic Hall i' th' Ponds. Additional alterations and expansions were made to the rear of the building later in the 19th century. The pub's current name, the Old Queen's Head, likely refers to Mary, Queen of Scots, who was imprisoned in Sheffield between 1570 and 1584.
In 1993, the building underwent a refurbishment while under the management of the Tom Cobleigh pub company. Today, the Old Queen's Head is operated by Thwaites Brewery, continuing its legacy as a beloved pub and an enduring symbol of Sheffield's rich history.
Originally, the building was part of the estate of George Talbot, the 6th Earl of Shrewsbury, and the earliest recorded mention of it appears in a 1582 inventory, where it was referred to as "The hawle at the Poandes" or "Hall i' th' Ponds." It is believed that the building may have served as a banqueting hall for parties hunting wildfowl in the nearby ponds, which were located at the confluence of the Porter Brook and the River Sheaf. These ponds no longer exist, but their legacy persists in local place names like Pond Street, Pond Hill, and Ponds Forge.
By the early 19th century, the building was repurposed as a house. In 1840, a pub named the Old Queen's Head opened in a neighboring building. After 1862, the pub expanded into the historic Hall i' th' Ponds. Additional alterations and expansions were made to the rear of the building later in the 19th century. The pub's current name, the Old Queen's Head, likely refers to Mary, Queen of Scots, who was imprisoned in Sheffield between 1570 and 1584.
In 1993, the building underwent a refurbishment while under the management of the Tom Cobleigh pub company. Today, the Old Queen's Head is operated by Thwaites Brewery, continuing its legacy as a beloved pub and an enduring symbol of Sheffield's rich history.
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Old Queen's Head on Map
Sight Name: Old Queen's Head
Sight Location: Sheffield, England (See walking tours in Sheffield)
Sight Type: Food/Drink
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Sheffield, England (See walking tours in Sheffield)
Sight Type: Food/Drink
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Sheffield, England
Create Your Own Walk in Sheffield
Creating your own self-guided walk in Sheffield is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Industrial Revolution Heritage Walking Tour
Steeped in history, the city of Sheffield is famed for its contribution to the Industrial Revolution, largely due to the development of stainless steel. Indeed, the 鈥淪teel City鈥� of the United Kingdom, it was internationally renowned as a major hub of steel manufacturing during the 19th century. So much so, in fact, that George Orwell once famously referred to it as 鈥渢he ugliest town in the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Sheffield Introduction Walking Tour
Sheffield takes its name from the river Sheaf, which runs through the city. Field, of course, is an open space. The city sits at the confluence of the rivers Don and Sheaf. Don is the master stream. Its tributaries are the Loxely, Porter Brook, Rivelin, and Sheaf. There were settlements in this area as far back as 12,000 years ago.
After the Romans, settlements were Anglo-Saxon and Danish. With... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
After the Romans, settlements were Anglo-Saxon and Danish. With... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Sheffield's Historical Buildings
Part of Sheffield鈥檚 great heritage is manifested in buildings. The presence of historical sites, some rather imposing like the Sheffield Town Hall and City Hall, presiding over the area, and the others like the Church of St Marie, somewhat hidden from view in a built-up neighbourhood, provides a colourful illustration of the city's glorious past.
Constructed over a time-span ranging from... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Constructed over a time-span ranging from... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles