Wessex Archaeology was tasked with conducting the archaeological dig at the site as part of the project to develop the area known as Castlegate.
The regeneration at Castlegate includes the creation of a new park, opening up the River Sheaf and unveiling parts of the former Sheffield Castle.
Sheffield Castle dates back to the 11th Century and is known as the birthplace of Sheffield.
Discoveries by Wessex Archaeology have included historical clues not only to the period of Sheffield Castle’s existence, but what the site has been used for in the centuries since:
- Previously unknown stone structures on the south side of the motte. These were probably built during or after the reconstruction of around 1270 following the Second Baron’s War
- The remains of the east and west towers of the gatehouse of the castle (probably constructed starting in 1270), with the drawbridge abutments
- The moat of the stone castle exposed
- A 12.5m-deep well, probably Medieval (with water at the bottom)
- 18th/19th Century slaughterhouses and gennel
- Wooden Civil War stakes (an exceptional survival)
- Remains of two cementation steelmaking furnaces, unusual as they shared a single chimney and were built into material surviving from the castle
Sheffield City Council and Wessex Archaeology recently won the Current Archaeology Magazine Award for Rescue Project of the Year for this work.
Uncovering the remains of this remarkable site has been an honour and I, like many other Sheffielders, am excited that elements of the castle’s remains will be displayed in the park in due course. We look forward to continuing to support the council to realise its vision, which places the heritage of our great city at the heart of regeneration plans for Castlegate.
Ashley Tuck, Lead Archaeologist at Wessex Archaeology
The archaeology has led to the Council conducting a review of the original design, to ensure the long-term preservation of the remains. This process is still ongoing and subject to additional planning permission. The Council is working with heritage specialist consultants, South Yorkshire Archaeology Service, Historic England and Friends of Sheffield Castle on this matter. As a result, this redesign will lengthen the project past its initial finish date.
A report to this month’s extraordinary meeting of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Committee on Wednesday April 30th will be asked to note the progress and the extension of the proposed work.
The new park at Castlegate will provide another high-quality green space in the city centre and will showcase aspects of the castle for the first time in centuries.
Other nods to the history of the castle area will include an events space, reminiscent of the ‘bowling green’ believed to have occupied the site in the 17th Century.
The River Sheaf is also being opened up to be visible for the first time in the city centre since the Victorian era. A new Sheaf Field area of the park will be designed next to the river.
The committee will also hear of the latest progress in the S1 Artspace and Harmony Works projects which also form part of the wider Castlegate regeneration work.
‘The Castle Project’ has a current budget of around £21m.
Higher than expected de-culverting costs and the redesign of the project due to the extended archaeology means that costs will increase by up to £5m, which the Council will now look to secure funding to cover. It will also likely extend the project with a new completion date revised to late 2026.
It has been amazing to see more and more artefacts from the birthplace of Sheffield being uncovered. We congratulate Wessex Archaeology on all their hard work to discover all that they have found so far.
The Castlegate regeneration project has always been about bringing some of that history to life, putting it on display for people to see and enjoy while using this brand new city centre park we are developing.
We know how much the history of this site means to people and that is why we want to see this project to continue to bring fascinating and historically important results.
Cllr Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Committee at Sheffield City Council
To read to report due to go to committee next week, head to the Council website.
For more on the project so far and get updates on its progress straight to your inbox, you can also head to the Council website.
