You may recognise the Castlegate area of Sheffield as local business and the ‘high-street’ archetype of Sheffield. However, there is so much hidden history to uncover in this seemingly run-down and unassuming quarter.
One of the most significant elements of Castlegate is a huge sign marking the quarter. It features an image of an old market hall, of which there were multiple in the area. In the mid-1800s the market was on the castle ruins, which people at the time didn’t know existed yet. It went from selling animal products to selling hay, changing the street names around castlegate from ‘Bullstake’ to ‘Haymarket’ (which is still what it is called today). These markets transformed into high streets as time went on.
Dating back to the first OS map of Sheffield (pre-1850) is Dixon Lane, which was once a lively shopping street during the consumer age of the 1960s, has unfortunately fallen into disrepair due to the decline of high streets. It was once a bustling street filled with shops and pubs, such as The Rock Tavern which closed in 1972. The lane was so busy during the 1960s that fruit traders would set up shop on the roadside to attract patiently queuing customers. Dixon Lane also attracted nightlife, with an old record shop progressing into a nightclub (The Penthouse which later became Rebels) reflecting the increased interest in youth culture of the 1960s. Sadly, these are now closed down. It also features a signpost similar to the arching Castlegate one which makes for interesting decor!
A striking image of Castlegate is the ‘Steelworker’ brick mural. It is an iconic image dominated by the man’s eyes and helmet, representative of the reputation Sheffield has as ‘The Steel City’. The piece uses 30,000 bricks of 18 different types to create a unique effect, done entirely by brickwork! Built in 1986, it is considered to be one of the first modern public art works in the city.
Another surprising feature of the Castlegate quarter is that many buildings survived World War II bombing raids, such as the Corporation Buildings on Snig Hill. They were originally twice the size but with half the block destroyed during the Blitz, the remaining part is a rare survivor of the raids.
One feature of Castlegate which has stood the test of time is the Norfolk Arms. A pre-1850 pub situated at the end of Dixon Lane, which still serves its loyal clientele to this day. It is a classic mid 19th century public house, with some internal features surviving multiple remodelings.
The overall landscape of Castlegate is one of a rich and deep history, which dates back to before the first OS maps were surveyed in Sheffield, so next time you walk down there to do your Lidl shop, or go towards the train station – take a quick detour to view the murals, sign posts and historical buildings in one of the oldest quarters of Sheffield.
All information has been found at Local Studies Library Sheffield and the Sheffield City Archives, where you can find out more about Castlegate.
