As from Sunday 8th November
Sadly visitors are not yet able to visit Wortley Top Forge because of Government restrictions and lock-down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
We note that after Easter, if all has gone well, that outdoor activity might be possible with groups of up to six from two households, but access to our grounds without access to our buildings, workshops and museums would be rather pointless. It looks as though we will have to wait until at least Monday 17th May for indoor restrictions to be lifted. Watch this space for news of a grand reopening on perhaps Sunday 23rd May.
Anyone entering the site must be well and not exhibiting any symptoms associated with COVID-19.
We will monitor visitor and volunteer numbers to avoid the possibility of crowding. You may be asked not to enter the site or stay in your car for a while in the unlikely event that numbers reach a dangerous level.
Social distancing must be complied with at all times. Keeping at a distance of 2.0 metres is best but 1.0 metre is acceptable as other precautions have been taken.
Visitors may roam freely around any areas of the site which are outdoors. Our volunteers will be around the site to assist you and advise on crowding and social distancing.
Visitors may only access the buildings as part of an organised tour and masks must be worn. Tours will be limited to 6-8 persons. The guide will provide a briefing on how the tour will be organised to ensure the safety of participants.
You are asked not to unnecessarily touch surfaces, machines and artifacts.
Voices should not be unduly raised.
The toilets are cleaned regularly and extensively used surfaces will be cleaned as required. Hand washing facilities are available in the toilets and in the kitchen of No.6 cottage.
We regret that the miniature railway will not be running until further notice.
For an individual or family trip around the Forge we recommend allowing at least an hour and a half although longer may be required on busy days.
Opening times and Entry Fees
Top Forge is open to the public on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from Easter until the Early November. The 2021 season will reopen on Sunday May 23rd unless the regulations change again!
Opening hours are 11:00am until 5:00 pm.
Admission to the site is £3.00 for Adults, £2.00 for Concessions (O.A.P.s) and 50p for Children (Under 16).
This includes all day parking and a guided tour of the site.
From 2:00pm a Model Engineering Group operate the Miniature Passenger Carrying Railway, with steam locomotives operating on most weekends.
An increased charge will be made on “special ” open days.
Group visits
The Forge can make special arrangements for Party visits and Special Openings. These should be arranged through Gordon Parkinson at gandcparkinson@blueyonder.co.uk. You should try to give us a little notice for such a visit as certain arrangements cannot always be made at short notice.
Coffee, tea and biscuits can be provided for groups if some idea of the numbers involved can be given a week before. For Party visits that include refreshments you should allow 2 hours to cover a full tour of the Forge, associated buildings.
Young Children
There is plenty of room on the site for children to run around safely and places for a picnic and then the train rides. The Forge guide can show youngsters our working waterwheels and engines.
www.tripswithatot.com includes the Forge in its suggestions.
Access for coaches
Our new gates are 13ft wide and we have had no problems with large modern coaches bringing parties to Top Forge.
Once in the parking area, there is plenty of room for coaches to turn round and wait for their passengers to return.
Toilet facilities
The toilets are close to the parking area , making this an ideal pick-up point for coach parties.
Notes on Disabled Access
Any would-be visitor who has special access requirements must remember that the Top Forge is an ancient site .
The majority of the site is surfaced with grass or gravel.
In wet weather the grass is generally soft and even waterlogged in places.
However, in dry weather when the ground is dry, we believe that wheelchair access is possible to most areas. This may however only be with the assistance of our volunteers, as there are several slopes to be traversed on any route around the site.
The main Forge building has level access everywhere except for the area around the Blower Wheel, where steep steps lead to a platform overlooking the wheel.
Access to the Workshop Buildings (Blacksmiths / Foundry / Joiners’ shop) is by a route following the narrow gauge railway. Once inside the Blacksmiths, the floor is acceptably level. However, steep and narrow steps restrict access into the Foundry and Joiners shop.
There is a disabled Toilet.
More things to do around Sheffield
You can see more ideas on things to do around Sheffield in the KAYAK Sheffield Travel Guide.