Old Town Hall, Sheffield
The Old Town Hall in Sheffield, located on Waingate, is a significant listed building with a rich history dating back to the early 17th century. The first reference to a "Sheffield Towne Hall" was recorded on 29 September 1637 in William Harrison's Survey of the Manor of Sheffield. This original town hall was replaced in 1700 by a new structure designed by William Renny, situated next to the parish church with limited room for expansion.
The third iteration, known today as the "Old Town Hall," was constructed between 1807 and 1808 in the Neoclassical style by architect Charles Watson. It underwent extensions in 1833 and again in 1866 when a new central clock tower and main entrance facing Waingate were added. These renovations, designed by Flockton & Abbott, utilized materials salvaged from parts of the preceding building. The Old Town Hall鈥檚 orientation towards Waingate and its clock tower became prominent features of the building.
By the 1890s, the Old Town Hall could no longer accommodate the growing administrative needs of Sheffield, prompting the construction of a new Town Hall further south. Following an extension between 1896 and 1897, the Old Town Hall was repurposed as the seat of the Crown Court and the High Court. A drinking fountain was also added on the Castle Street side during this period.
In 1973, the Old Town Hall was designated as a heritage property. However, after the courts relocated in the 1990s, the building was left vacant. Since then, there have been various proposals for its reuse, including converting it into serviced apartments, shops, cafes, and hotel rooms. Despite its disuse, the Old Town Hall remains an important historical landmark in Sheffield.
The third iteration, known today as the "Old Town Hall," was constructed between 1807 and 1808 in the Neoclassical style by architect Charles Watson. It underwent extensions in 1833 and again in 1866 when a new central clock tower and main entrance facing Waingate were added. These renovations, designed by Flockton & Abbott, utilized materials salvaged from parts of the preceding building. The Old Town Hall鈥檚 orientation towards Waingate and its clock tower became prominent features of the building.
By the 1890s, the Old Town Hall could no longer accommodate the growing administrative needs of Sheffield, prompting the construction of a new Town Hall further south. Following an extension between 1896 and 1897, the Old Town Hall was repurposed as the seat of the Crown Court and the High Court. A drinking fountain was also added on the Castle Street side during this period.
In 1973, the Old Town Hall was designated as a heritage property. However, after the courts relocated in the 1990s, the building was left vacant. Since then, there have been various proposals for its reuse, including converting it into serviced apartments, shops, cafes, and hotel rooms. Despite its disuse, the Old Town Hall remains an important historical landmark in Sheffield.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Sheffield. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
Old Town Hall on Map
Sight Name: Old Town Hall
Sight Location: Sheffield, England (See walking tours in Sheffield)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Sheffield, England (See walking tours in Sheffield)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
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'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
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