Following on from the success of open days last year with Sheffield Design Week, and this year with the Festival of Archaeology, two further open days are planned for 2017. The first is part of this year’s Heritage Open Days on Friday 8th September, and the second as part of this year’s Sheffield Design week between 21-29th October (date TBC). Wessex Archaeology is offering these rare opportunities to visit the crucible cellars of the former Titanic Works, Malinda Street/Hoyle Street, providing the chance to explore a once commonplace and important part of Sheffield’s industrial past.

 
The tours set for Heritage Open Days next week are already fully booked, however, information about forthcoming tours as part of Sheffield Design Week will follow shortly. 
 
The site is located in an area of Sheffield established as a steel manufacturing centre prior to 1850, with the principal surviving buildings of the former Titanic Works dating to that period. The extant building includes a nationally rare crucible furnace with two end stacks. The former works is a Grade II listed building and during the redevelopment of the site in 2008, two previously unknown crucible cellars were unearthed, adding to the known cellar beneath the listed structure.
 
The works was occupied by a series of steel and file manufacturers in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. By 1876, the works was occupied by William Mickelthwaite and Co, steel manufacturers, and was listed as the ‘Titanic Works’. If you would like to read more about the Titanic Works look at our publications page for details.
 
Wessex Archaeology will be conducting four 1 hour tours of the crucible cellars at Hoyle Street, all free of charge, on each of the open days. Each tour will accommodate up to six members of the public. The tours will include exploring all three cellars with information about the steel making process, the history and development of the site and its significance within Sheffield.
 
Tours will need to be booked in advance due to limited space within the cellars. Details of how and where to book the next tour date will be publicised shortly.
 
Please be aware that the tours are not suitable for those with impaired mobility or children under the age of 8 years. Suitable footwear (walking boots) is recommended. Any other protective clothing required will be provided. 
 
Come along and delve into Sheffield’s rich industrial past.