Wortley Top Forge
BEST FOR
Ages 0-16
ENTRY
from £1
WHERE
Sheffield
What it’s like
A working water-powered forge with real waterwheels turning, plus a miniature steam railway to ride round the site.
This is a proper industrial relic rather than a polished museum, and that's the appeal. The waterwheels and engines still work, and kids get to watch the machinery that once made this a functioning forge actually move. From 11am on most weekends a model engineering group runs the miniature passenger railway, with steam locomotives hauling people round on little tracks, which is the bit worth timing your visit around if your kids are keen on trains.
Admission includes a guided tour, and at £1 a child it's about as cheap as heritage days out get, though the adult ticket at £5 and the guided format mean you're committed to going round with everyone else rather than wandering off. Allow at least an hour and a half, longer if it's busy, and bring wellies if it's been raining because the grass turns to sponge and some of the site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument that was never built with pushchairs in mind.
It only opens Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays between mid March and early November, so this isn't a spontaneous rainy-Tuesday outing, it needs planning round the calendar. Parking's free and included in the ticket, and there's a picnic area in the kitchen yard if you want to make a packed lunch of it. The low bridges on the approach roads (12 to 13ft) are worth knowing about if you're driving anything tall, and public transport out here is thin on Sundays, so most people drive.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 0 to 16, though the steam railway is the bit that grabs younger kids
- Parking
- Free on site, included in admission
- How long to allow
- At least an hour and a half, longer on busy days
- Picnics
- Allowed, kitchen yard picnic area available
- Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair access possible in dry weather to most areas with volunteer assistance
- Getting there by bus or train
- Buses 57, 58, 66, 67 from Sheffield Transport Interchange to Deepcar (25-40 mins)
- Parties
- Special arrangements available for party visits and special openings
- Worth knowing
- Annual membership includes unlimited free entry including special event days
- Low bridges of 12 to 13ft on the approach roads, so check your vehicle height
- Public transport is possible but not recommended, it's a rural spot with a limited Sunday bus service
- Annual membership is £20 for an adult or £25 for a family and gets you unlimited free entry including special event days
- You can speak to someone on site 9am to 3pm on Sundays and Wednesdays year round if you need to ask something in person
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£5 for an adult, £3 concession, and just £1 for anyone under 16. Party visits for young children are £6 per person.
Do we need to book?
There's no booking link, you turn up on an open day. It's Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays only, 10am to 4pm, mid March to early November.
How long does a visit take?
At least an hour and a half for a family visit round the Forge, and longer if it's a busy day.
What age is it good for?
It's set up for ages 0 to 16, and the train rides and moving machinery hold younger kids' attention well.
Is there parking?
Yes, free on site and included in admission. There's room for coaches too if you're coming as a big group.
What if it rains?
The site is mostly outdoors and the grass gets soft and waterlogged in wet weather, so wellies are a good idea. Some areas also have steep steps or uneven ground that get trickier when wet.
When does the miniature railway run?
From 11am on most weekends, with steam locomotives operating the passenger railway.
Can we do a birthday party there?
Special arrangements can be made for party visits, with tea, coffee and biscuits provided. Allow at least 2 hours for the full tour with refreshments, and you'd need to contact the site coordinator to set it up.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs and buggies?
Wheelchair access is possible to most areas in dry weather with volunteer help, and the main Forge building is level except for the Blower Wheel area. Steep steps restrict access to the Workshop, and the site's historic nature means it wasn't built to modern access standards.
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