KELHAM ISLAND AND NEEPSEND

Our next calling point is Shalesmoor, on the tram line towards Hillsborough. 

Shalesmoor tram stop is very handy for a really good pub, seen here as the Cask & Cutler.

The Cask & Cutler has reverted to its earlier name, the Wellington. It's still well worth popping in for a few pints.

Mainline buses used to pass by.

Over the road is the Ship, with a great exterior.

Down in the valley, a decent free house, the Riverside.

We're now in the Kelham Island area, home to the famous Fat Cat.

Behind the Fat Cat was once Kelham Island Brewery.

Just around the corner, the Kelham Island Industrial Museum, where one is greeted by a huge Bessemer converter.

Back in 1988, a short miniature railway had been set up outside the museum.

Inside, another miniature loco and some more steam devices.

The biggest steam powered machine is the River Don Engine.

A stone's throw away is the brilliant Kelham Island Tavern.

Pusscat was the pub moggy, rescued from one of the recent floods.

A short walk away was the Milestone, since closed.

Above the Kelham Island area was the Great Central Railway's Woodhead route, home to Bridgehouses Goods depot.

A tunnel covered over the long gone connection to the Midland at Wicker Goods.

The first passenger station out of Sheffield was Neepsend. 

The GCR, later the LNER, had a cramped loco shed at Neepsend, later replaced by a new one at Darnall.

The Neepsend area has long been prone to flooding. This shows the aftermath of the 1874 flood.

Despite the occasional inundation, the Gardeners Rest has survived and serves an excellent pint.

Close by was the Stone's Brewery, since closed.

There's still brewing in the area, as the Neepsend Brewery is thriving.

That's where I'll leave you for now. Next time, we've some steep hills to climb, but it'll be worth it.

A MEGA PUB CRAWL OF SHEFFIELD

Yes, it's time to look at a few of Sheffield's pubs, mostly just off the city centre itself. We start down by the River Don, where we see Yorkshire Traction's no. 645 in 1980.

Behind the above bus can be seen part of the old Tennant's Brewery, taken over by Whitbread and later closed. Here's a close-up in 1980.

Not far away, the Tap & Spile. It's due to reopen soon (2027) as the Bull & Mouth.

Overlooking the river, the Harlequin, an excellent boozer.

Like all cities, there's continual redevelopment.

Leopold Street was the site of one of Sheffield's tram depots and a good place to photograph them.

Right, back to the pubs! Next up, the famous Bath Hotel, not to be missed.

The Brewhouse closed in 2016.

Another loss, the Denison Arms, which barely made it into the 21st century.

The modern Devonshire Cat closed in 2020 - a great shame.

It's not all doom and gloom. The Dog & Partridge is still going strong.

The historic pub Fagan's still attracts plenty of customers.

The Foundry & Firkin is now renamed as the Beehive (no real ale).

The Frog & Parrot. Once a Whitbread brew pub, now it's owned by Greene King.

The Grapes, on Trippet Lane, retains its cask ales.

Henry's Bar had a great range of beers. It has since closed.

The Norfolk Arms seems to be still in business.

The Swan seems to have vanished into the ether. A shame, as it had a wonderful Tomlinson's Brewery tiled exterior.

Another one gone - The Hop.

Three former Wards pubs worth visiting; the Red Deer, the Red Lion and the Roebuck.

Time for a Wetherspoons; the Sheffield Waterworks Company.

The Old House has changed hands and is now called Vocation & Co.

The West Street Arch, celebrating a Royal visit in 1905.

West Street is a popular area for its night life. The Hallamshire Hotel has a wonderful exterior, though it is all open-plan inside.

At the top end of West Street was a Wetherspoons, the Swim Inn, since closed.

Not far away, the University Arms, a decent free house.

Our next stop is the lovely Crow Inn.

It's just a short downhill walk to the next pub, passing some fine industrial buildings en route.

West Bar is at the bottom of the hill and there was a micropub here called Bar Stewards. Its since changed hands, been renamed and has no cask beer now.

Never mind, just across the road, the not to be missed Shakespeares, a former Ward's pub, now with some great independent beers.

That seems like a good place to conclude this post. Next time, Shalesmoor, Kelham Island and Neepsend.