Sheffield Castle Open Days and Excavation Tours
Open Days will take place on Saturday 4th, Saturday 18th and Friday 31st May 2024.
This is a unique opportunity to see a live archaeological site and learn about Sheffield’s history while exploring the excavations. The Castlegate area has changed dramatically over hundreds or years from castle to slaughterhouses, bowling green to steel works, and from Sheffield market to its current state. The site is now moving on to an exciting new chapter and work is underway to redevelop the area into a park.
Archaeologists will be on hand to showcase their latest findings and chat through their work.
Booking is essential. We recommend booking early to secure your spot! Booking will close the day before each event.
You can find out more about past archaeological discoveries by viewing our previous online video series.
Stay up to date with current work on the site by signing up to the Castlegate newsletter.
Prices
Free
Additional Information
Your visit
Your visit will include a short health and safety induction followed by a guided tour of site. Group numbers will be small, so that you will have plenty of time to ask questions.
To allow the management of the number of visitors on site you must book your visit in advance. Your visit will last for 1 hour and will accommodate up to 20 visitors. Please arrive in the specified arrival time slot for your visit. Please note that admittance will be denied if you arrive outside your chosen time of entry.
Meet in the Castlegate area of Sheffield. Details of the meeting point will be emailed to attendees before their chosen tour date.
The tours will take place outside, so please dress appropriately for the weather. All visitors must wear sturdy footwear (i.e. walking boots). Please note that admittance will be denied if your footwear is deemed to be unsafe for the site tour (no open-toe shoes or high-heels).
Please be aware that children must be accompanied by an adult.
Choose your arrival time from the following time slots when completing the booking form.
- 11.30am – 12.30pm (arrive between 11.20-11.30am)
- 1.30 – 2.30pm (arrive between 1.20-1.30pm)
- 3 – 4pm (arrive between 2.50-3pm), only available on Saturday events.
Photography
Photographs and videos maybe be taken by Sheffield Council, Keltbray and Wessex Archaeology during the tours. There are also webcams set up to capture footage of the site.
Facilities on site
Toilets are available on site.
There is no parking available on site. The nearest car park is Q Park Castlegate.
Accessibility
Due to the nature of the archaeological site, there are uneven surfaces and rough ground throughout. You can see the site conditions by viewing the ‘Castlecam’ set up by the Sheaf and Porter Rivers Trust.
If you have questions or specific access needs, please contact us prior to your visit to discuss these.
Cancellations
If you can no longer attend, please cancel your booking as soon as possible, as this will allow others to visit.
In the unlikely event that Wessex Archaeology must cancel the tours due to unforeseen circumstances, participants will be informed by email at the earliest opportunity.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding your visit or booking, please email sheffieldcastle@wessexarch.co.uk.