Step back in time

Whiteley Woods has an interesting history that involves numerous influential people in Sheffield. There was a lovely hall on the site at one point too, which was sadly demolished in 1957 after it fell into disrepair. The history is hinted at through the names of our buildings so let’s take a tour round the courtyard.

Dale (our storage barn) is named after Thomas Dale who was a freeholder of the manor right back in the time of Charles I.

Later the hall was sold to Thomas Boulsover, a Sheffield Cutler who invented Sheffield Plate. Bolsover is a small barn with it’s own kitchen that can be hired out for activities.

In 1864 the hall was bought by Samuel Plimsoll – he was the creator of the Plimsoll Line which denotes the maximum depth to which ships can be loaded. The Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, came to discuss the idea with Samuel Plimsoll and the Plimsoll Line became law in 1875. Plimsoll is our recently renovated residential facility that sleeps up to 24.

The next owner was Alderman Thomas Gainsford who was instrumental in the construction of the many dams around Sheffield. Gainsford is a barn that houses our traverse wall and indoor campfire for inclement weather.

If you’d like to find out more or learn about the rest of the site there is a history trail that you can do when you come and stay.