Christine Handley – författare

Sheffield is the fourth largest city in England and was where the Industrial Revolution began in earnest. It is renowned for its high-quality steel and fine cutlery, for its two large universities and for having the biggest shopping centre in Europe, yet there is so much more to know about this proud South Yorkshire city. In Secret Sheffield, the authors pull back the carpet of history to reveal what lurks beneath. They delve into Sheffield’s murky and mysterious past, its dark secrets and forgotten tales, introducing us to some interesting characters along the way.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest cities. It provides a nostalgic look at Sheffield’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites. The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.Historic England: Sheffield shows the city as it once was, from its streets and alleyways to its many steel factories. The ‘Steel City’ was once a place of international renown and Sheffield plate and Sheffield cutlery have been marques of the best in the world. The city’s fortunes changed dramatically in the twentieth century. Post-war decline was particularly brutal in Sheffield and by 1980 the city was synonymous with high unemployment and economic decline. Today Sheffield has reinvented itself as a vibrant developing centre of retail, commerce and education. This book will help you discover the rich and colourful history of England’s fourth largest city.

A celebration of Sheffield's rich heritage and identity - its special events, achievements, people, industry and landmarks.