Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet 2025

Catch a unique glimpse of life at home and at work at a scythe and steelworks dating back to the 18th century.

As an integrated water-powered works there are many different industrial features to Abbeydale, water from the dam powered four waterwheels which in turn drive the massive tilt hammers, bellows for the forger’s hearth, giant grindstones and a boring lathe.

Highlights for visitors include the Crucible Furnace, where crucible steel for the tools was made. Built around 1830, it is the only kind in the world which still survives intact. The Tilt Forge was built in 1785 and houses two massive tilt hammers used for forging tools flat. Other industrial features include the Grinding Hull, Boring Shop and Blacking Shop where Scythes were painted and stored ready to be sent around the country and the world. For steam enthusiasts, a Steam Engine built by Davy Brothers of Sheffield was installed on site in 1855 as an additional source of power to the grinding hull, if the water levels fell too low to run the waterwheel.

Explore more about the balance of life at home and at work as you wander through the Counting House where the Works Foreman and his clerk carried out all the administrative work for the site. The Manager's House with adjoining stables was built around 1838 and gives an example of a lower middle class home from the late 1800s, in contrast to the row of Workers' Cottages built between 1786 and 1793 which traditionally housed the forgemaster and his worker’s families. Youngsters can find out more their industrial heritage in our hands-on Works Gallery or enjoy the picturesque outdoor surroundings such as The Orchard.