Old Queen's Head, 40 Pond Hill. The only Sheffield pub to be Grade II* listed and the city's oldest residential building. One of the few remaining pieces of medieval Sheffield in the centre of the city. It was built in the late C15th as a hunting and banqueting lodge for the nearby Sheffield Castle. It became a pub in 1841 and is named after a likely visit by Mary Queen of Scots in the 16th century.placeholder image
Old Queen's Head, 40 Pond Hill. The only Sheffield pub to be Grade II* listed and the city's oldest residential building. One of the few remaining pieces of medieval Sheffield in the centre of the city. It was built in the late C15th as a hunting and banqueting lodge for the nearby Sheffield Castle. It became a pub in 1841 and is named after a likely visit by Mary Queen of Scots in the 16th century.

15 of Sheffield’s most historic and culturally significant pubs perfect for a Christmas drink

David Walsh
By David Walsh

Business Editor

Published 8th May 2023, 13:09 GMT

Who doesn’t love a pub with character?

Relaxing moments can be few and far between at Christmas - and especially welcome as a result.

For some that could mean lazing on the sofa watching a classic film, but for many the best 'me time' to be had is in a pub with friends, drink in hand.

And where better to escape the modern ills of runaway consumption than in a heritage boozer, surrounded by the fixtures and fittings of yesteryear and with an atmosphere to match?

The Campaign for Real Ale has long appreciated this and produces a special guide called Sheffield’s Real Heritage Pubs, edited by David Pickersgill.

It highlights original feature such as old carvings, leaded glass, exposed beams and tiled floors, and details historic events, from a murder in 1859 to the Arctic Monkeys first ever gig. These rare pubs offer the perfect blend of heritage and atmosphere.

Here’s our pick of 15 in the city centre including two of ‘exceptional national historic importance’ that give meaning to Christmas.

240 West Street, S1 4EU. The Beehive was built in 1818 as a country inn and takes its name from the beehives that were kept in an adjoining garden. Its previous names include B-Hive, Rockwells, Firkin, Foundry and Firkin, O’Neill’s, and Bar S1. A glance above the main entrance reveals an original stone carving of a beehive.

9. The Beehive

240 West Street, S1 4EU. The Beehive was built in 1818 as a country inn and takes its name from the beehives that were kept in an adjoining garden. Its previous names include B-Hive, Rockwells, Firkin, Foundry and Firkin, O’Neill’s, and Bar S1. A glance above the main entrance reveals an original stone carving of a beehive. Photo: .

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66-68 Victoria Street, S3 7QL. Grade II listed and one of only two 'three-star' heritage pubs in Sheffield, deemed of ‘exceptional national historic importance’ by CAMRA. It states: 'It is an unusually complete example of a Sheffield corner public house, which retains, in almost complete form, the 1931 plan and fittings'.

10. The Bath Hotel

66-68 Victoria Street, S3 7QL. Grade II listed and one of only two 'three-star' heritage pubs in Sheffield, deemed of ‘exceptional national historic importance’ by CAMRA. It states: 'It is an unusually complete example of a Sheffield corner public house, which retains, in almost complete form, the 1931 plan and fittings'. Photo: .

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Pitt Street, S1 4DD. The Red Deer dates from 1825 and the exterior is relatively unchanged. It is the central Sheffield pub with the longest continuous use of handpumps.

11. Red Deer

Pitt Street, S1 4DD. The Red Deer dates from 1825 and the exterior is relatively unchanged. It is the central Sheffield pub with the longest continuous use of handpumps. Photo: Chris Etchells

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80 Trippet Lane, S1 4EL. This is the best surviving example of a pub built by Thomas Rawson & Co, one of the foremost names in Sheffield brewing up until the Second World War. The entrance hall includes impressive mosaic flooring. The walls of the hallway and some in the public bar have a splendid colourful dado of Victorian tiles.On 13th June 2003, the Grapes hosted the first- ever gig by, ex-Stocksbridge High School students, the Arctic Monkeys.

12. Grapes

80 Trippet Lane, S1 4EL. This is the best surviving example of a pub built by Thomas Rawson & Co, one of the foremost names in Sheffield brewing up until the Second World War. The entrance hall includes impressive mosaic flooring. The walls of the hallway and some in the public bar have a splendid colourful dado of Victorian tiles.On 13th June 2003, the Grapes hosted the first- ever gig by, ex-Stocksbridge High School students, the Arctic Monkeys. Photo: Jason Merritt/TERM

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