We're sorry the River Don Engine at Kelham Island Museum isn't running at the moment while we carry out some maintenance work, but we'll let you know as soon as it's back in action. The good news doesn't stop there - all our sites, including Kelham Island Museum and Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, are now FREE ENTRY!.

We're really looking forward to welcoming you back with new exhibitions and displays, as well as all your museum favourites. A co-produced trail around Kelham Island Museum, exploring the industrial heritage of north Sheffield. Join us either online or at Kelham Island Museum to find out more about this fascinating Sheffield company.

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Reviews (14)

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Sirina Duriyapraneet Gilbody

Dec 05, 2021

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We just wanted to visit the museum but we're lucky they got Xmas fair too it really amazing place we love it.

Amy Amy

Nov 08, 2021

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Went with our son (5) who loves it. The volunteer Mike/mick was amazing. So much to see the scale of some of the displays is really impressive. England's largest working steam powered engine is a must see. Demonstration at 12 & 2. Such a shame they shut the kids playground though, it was definitely a highlight for us before covid. Lovely little gift shop too with some Sheffield treats. Have been here 3 times and still not seen it all.

Sam Roberts

Oct 30, 2021

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Brilliant, the smells, sounds and atmosphere here are awesome if you enjoy Industrial heritage.
The Don engine ran 2x today (12pm and 2pm). Really impressive to see that amount of power on display. The museum staff considerately offered younger visitors ear defender which I thought was a lovely touch.
Loved it, entry is free but please make a donation if you visit.

Marie Birch

Oct 29, 2021

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Great place that has lots of industrial history relating to Sheffield. Great informative displays with lifelike mannequins. The huge steam engine is an amazing assault on the senses. Loud, beautifully engineered and maintained to run at an amazing speed ( really does have to be seen and heard ). Great pub, shop and cafe too.

Lou McLeod

Oct 27, 2021

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What an amazing museum, completely underestimated how long 4 adults would want to spend looking around.
Completely fascinating, with well written educational snippets into a different era.
Amazing machinery set up in a phenomenal building.
100% for all age groups

Jana O'Loughlin

Oct 09, 2021

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Really interesting museum about the history of the steel industry in Sheffield which includes a live demonstration of the world's most powerful steam engine. Due to Covid the interactives for children were suspended. There is a café opposite the museum serving little lunches, pastries, and hot and cold drinks. Definitely worth a visit. Entry to the museum is free but donations welcome. Very nice staff.

Stephen Brook

Sep 28, 2021

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Wow very interesting, what a great day, & just shows how industrial Sheffield was leading the way in steel works, top marks.

Adele Wood

Sep 03, 2021

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Fantastic place and free! So much to see and do got to see the huge engine running. A fabulous few hours out for my enthusiastic boys with the added bonus that map is autism friendly 👍🏼

Janet Foxton

Aug 11, 2021

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Was at Kelham Island Museum for a Wedding and from start to finish was a lovely day. The staff where very helpful and friendly, even in the coffee shop as we had arrived early. Will be going again to look at the Museum properly.

Jane Berrie

Jun 22, 2021

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Fantastic free industrial museum with a large collection of industrial items, mainly focussed on steelmaking and metalwork. Huge Don Engine is powered by real steam and runs for about three minutes at a time. They'll usually tell you the next running time at reception when you enter. Timed entry with online booking.

Kirk

Jun 22, 2021

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Great little gem of a museum, I learnt so much about a city I've lived in all my life. First time I have been and I will be going back time and time again. Very informative without excessive text to read great displays. Loved the power of mighty River Don Engine

Corina Badeanu

Jun 14, 2021

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The museum is large enough to accommodate a lot of industrial scale machinery, stainless steel cutlery and life-size interiors of houses or work places.
At the exit there is a nice pub where we decided to get some food and drinks.
Everything was great!

Thomas M.

May 08, 2015

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The Kelham Island Museum in Sheffield is a must-see attraction for people interested in the industrial history of not only Sheffield but the Midlands and North England. There are many intriguing exhibits (see my photos), and because of the informative displays it's also a wonderful venue for parents with children between, say, 8-16. Especially since children under 16 enjoy a free entry.

Several times a day you can enjoy a working display of the largest surviving steam engine in England. That's great for the kids, of course.

The entry fees for adults are £5.50 (standard) and £4.50

Qype User Ericat

Jan 25, 2009

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The museum was opened in1982 so they could preserve & show old industrial machinery etc that had been used in the past or made in Sheffield.The museum stands on a man made island (hence the name)that is over 900 years old
They have a great transport collection which includes the 1920's sheffield simplex car,a charron laycock & a rolls royce jet engine.There are also displays of products made in sheffield (spanners,knives,toast racks,saws)
The 2,000 horse power river Don engine built by Davy brothers is housed here & is the most powerful steam working engine remaining & can