Sheffield Free Walking Tour: Steel City, the Law and Disorder, Murder and Mayhem tour

Duration: 2h
Languages: English
Guru: Kevin
Registered on July 11, 2022

Hello, my name is Kevin. I'm a retired police sergeant, I also have experience working within the criminal justice system at the Sheffield Combined and Family Courts.. As a police officer I spent a number of years 'pounding the beat' in Sheffield city centre. I also worked as a shift and custody sergeant. I grew to be fascinated with Sheffield's history of people and places .especially the more 'dark' side of that history. I have organised walking tours for my colleagues at the courts and now I have fully retired I have designed this tour. I'm a born and bred 'Sheffielder', a lover of Guinness and a passionate Sheffield Wednesday supporter. So, come and join me on the beat, lets walk and talk together as we open up some of Sheffield's forgotten past. Looking forward to meeting you.

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  • No minimum number of attendees
    No minimum number of attendees is required for the tour
  • Free booking and cancellation
    Free payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free

Tour description

We will meet in Castlegate alongside Lady's Bridge, Sheffield's oldest bridge. This is the birthplace of the city. From a clearing in the woods where two great rivers, The Don and The Sheaf, meet Sheffield grew to become the UK's 4th largest city and to be known around the world as the Steel City. We'll reimagine Sheffield Castle, the prison of Mary Queen of Scots, and learn of its destruction. We'll meander through the old town, along its still cobbled streets, visiting sites where criminals were active, police officers killed on duty, chartists conspired and razor gangs battled. Who was the chartist leader of the Sheffield Uprising and how is he commemorated in the city today? Who was Charlie Peace, why was he England's most wanted man who had his waxwork effigy displayed in London's Madame Tussauds and have film and stage plays written about his life? Why was Sheffield known as 'Little Chicago' during the 1920s and what exactly was the 'Rhino Whip' affair in 1963 which caused the then Chief Constable to resign? All of this and more will be explored with the tour concluding in the Peace Gardens today's Heart of the City.

What's not included:
This is an outdoor walking tour. We won't be entering any of the buildings we visit as part of the tour. Sheffield City centre isn't flat we'll be walking up and down inclines and over uneven surfaces.

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  • Meeting point:
    Five Weirs Walk - City Centre Start P...
    Five Weirs Walk - City Centre Start Point, Castlegate, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S3 8LB, UK
    Directions

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

Tour opinions

19 ratings
5.0
By category
Professionalism
5.0
Fun
4.89
Expression
5.0
Quality
4.94
Route
4.89
Generic
5 stars
19
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Harald 23 May 2023
Sheffield

Verified booking
Travelled alone - May 2023
Kevin manages to hit the sweet spot between historical information, local lore, and personal anecdotes. I highly recommend this tour!
John 28 Apr 2023

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Apr 2023
As a newcomer to Sheffield I was really pleased to be shown around a small part of it by such an expert !!
Mandy 03 Apr 2023
Sheffield

Verified booking
Travelled in group - Mar 2023
Very interesting and informative
Jeanine 04 Mar 2023

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Mar 2023
It was very interesting tour. Kevin def knows his stuff and the tour is well thought through and it shows a different side of sheffield, lots of stories about gang war and criminales which I found super interesting. Would def recommend this tour. Even on a cold winter day.
Matthew 27 Nov 2022
Sheffield

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Nov 2022
Went on the walk on morning of Saturday 26th November 2022. Just wanted to say what a worthwhile and interesting couple of hours. Recommenced to anyone who wants to find out more about Sheffield history.
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Who is this tour for?

Accessibility
Non suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group reservations.
Pets
Not suitable for pets.

What should you know?

Minimum of attendees
There is no minimum number of people required for the tour.
Additional costs:
The tour does not require the payment of entrance fees or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you will not be able to attend the tour, please cancel your booking, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Only cash payment is accepted.
When do you want to go?
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