Tours of Portland Works

*Please note booking is required for this event*

Portland Works is a former Victorian cutlery factory in substantially original condition and a rare example of integrated cutlery works where all the manufacturing, presentation and distribution were done from this site. Considered to be the birthplace of stainless steel cutlery manufacturing, many of the original features remain, including a forge with original Victorian spring hammers and grinding wheels.

Portland Works is now owned and managed by a Community Benefit Society, which rents out workshop space and manages the restoration and maintenance of the buildings. This Grade II* listed heritage site remains a busy a working environment for small manufacturing and creative industries to this day. These modern “little mesters” include knife and tool makers, wood, metal and leather workers, artists and musicians and a gin distillery.

Tours of the site are offered and last around two hours. Please wear suitable clothing - access is tricky with lots of uneven surfaces, outdoor narrow staircases and hazards.

We cant guarantee which tenants will be welcoming visitors into their workshop on the day. But there is always plenty to see.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 13 September:

1030-1230

Tuesday 16 September:

1400-1600

Thursday 18 September:

1700-1900

Location & directions

Portland Works, Randall Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S2 4SJ

Directions:

Portland Works can be found on the corner of Randall Street and Hill Street. Its a 2 or 3 minute walk from both Bramall Lane and London Road. Good public transport links. Metered parking is available on neighbouring streets.

Contact on day:

Ayesha Heaton, General Manager 0114 275 9354

Telephone number:

+441142759354

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Please book via our Eventbrite site if you can. The office is not staffed every day and so we aren't able to respond promptly to phone messages or emails. Eventbrite is the best way to secure your place. If you are not able to do that please ring the office on 0114 275 9354 and leave your name, date of call, phone number and number of places requested and we will get back to you to confirm

Booking contact name:

AYESHA HEATON

Booking telephone number:

+441142759354

Booking website:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/portland-works-little-sheffield-ltd-66341511443

Booking opens:

31 Jul 2025 12:00 AM

Booking closes:

11 Sep 2025 12:00 AM

Accessibility details

Access can be difficult at this grade2* listed heritage factory site. Lots of uneven surfaces, narrow stairwells and doorways. Outdoor metal or worn stone steps. We recommend ringing the office for a chat on 0114 275 9354 and taking a look at our Virtual tour to help judge how accessible the site is for you: https://www.portlandworks.co.uk/visiting-portland-works/ We welcome children but they need to be supervised at all times as there are lots of trip hazards, moving vehicles and materials piled up.

Additional information

The tour includes a trip up 2 sets of metal staircases onto the flat roof to take in the views over the site and beyond. If you don't fancy that visitors can wait at the base of the stairs. Please wear sensible shoes as there are lots of steps and trip hazards. Portland Works is a busy work environment so we need to stay alert to vehicles in the yard.

Max no of people per tour:

12

Est. tour duration:

2 hour(s) 0 minute(s)

Check out our online channels

Back to results