Grenoside - Part 3

Grenoside Sandstone at the Cow and Calf

In Grenoside, like very many other parts of Sheffield, the architecture is generally very functional rather than ornamental and, when walking past them, there is nothing to suggest that very many of these simple buildings have considerable interest to the historian or industrial archaeologist.

Vernacular architecture on Stephen Lane

Although the quarrying activities employed half of its population c.1900, due to the great demand for stone during Sheffield’s rapid growth towards the end of the 19th century, Grenoside had previously played a great part in the development of the steel industry. The Walker brothers set up early steel crucibles there, before moving to Masbrough in Rotherham, and this provided a hub for cottage industries producing files, knives, razors and various other tools and products.

A view along Top Side

I didn’t stop to closely look at any of the buildings but, at the western end of the Conservation Area, many of the lanes that traverse the old industrial parts of the village don’t have any paths, and I think that this greatly adds to the conservation value of Grenoside.

A trough on Bower Lane

Even though none of the buildings have been listed, the general use of local Grenoside  Sandstone and Welsh slate, or stone tiles, gives them a similar character that, together with spring fed water troughs and stiles etc, are considered to have townscape merit.

An exposure of Grenoside sandstone in an old quarry face

Having partially explored the Conservation Area, I continued down Stephen Drive to Cross House Road, which together form part of a modern brick and tile housing estate, and then discovered a small exposure of a former quarry face here. Set on private land behind a small infill housing development on the right hand side, the general colouration and physical characteristics of the Grenoside Sandstone are quite visible from a distance here.

Stone roof tiles at the Cow and Calf

Continuing south to the crossroads at the end of the village, the old farm buildings that are now occupied by the Cow and Calf public house display large expanses of riven stone roof tiles and yellow coloured walling stone.

A general view of the Cow and Calf

Turning right, a short walk up Skew Hill Lane brings you to an excellent viewpoint – looking across the Don Valley to Sheffield city centre and the high ground that rises above it in the distance. In the skyline, escarpments and gentle dip slopes mark the position of various sandstones, shales and other Lower Coal Measures rocks in this part of South Yorkshire.

A view towards Sheffield city centre

Finishing my short tour of Grenoside, I then headed back down Skew Hill Lane to Salt Box Lane, where a fine substantial building constructed in Grenoside Sandstone can be seen on the right hand side. Now part of Grenoside Grange hospital, it was built in 1850 as the administrative block to the Wortley Union Workhouse and fever hospital and, with its interesting oriel window and elaborate pinnacled gables, it is surprising that this is not a listed building. 

Grenoside Grange hospital