KIN Walk 25: Sheffield Canal and Five Weirs Walk Circular

Join a walk along the Sheffield Canal and Five Weirs Walk led by artist, outdoor expedition leader and forest school teacher Robin Widdowson and local resident and historian Anders Hanson. The route takes us to the once thriving canal basin (Victoria Quays) and along the towpath with many signs of a rich industrial heritage from its architecture, bridges and boats that fed the city and exported its steel, cutlery and coal all around the world.

We will stop for lunch at the lovely Tinsley Locks before heading off to Brightside Lane to view two pieces of large scale, contemporary public art sculptures while getting a real sense of the scale of the recent industry and what it must have been like when it was at full swing.

We pick up the Five Weirs Walk which at this time of year is green, lush and full of life: it is sometimes hard to imagine that you are in the industrial heartland of the city! There is quite a bit of history illustrated here from the Roman and Viking settlements, to the wealthy citizens of the past and the thousands of people who worked in the many mills, factories and warehouses that forged and formed the city that we are so proud of today.

This takes us back to the Wicker where we will head back to Kelham Island and, for those of you who a interested, a well deserved drink.

The walk starts by the large metal ladle (crucible) at the entrance to Kelham Island, behind the Fat Cat pub and in front of Craft & Dough. The distance is around 12.8km / 8 miles. The walk is a mixture of urban roads, surfaced paths and some areas of towpath that can be muddy if there has been recent rain.

About KIN Walks

KIN Walks started in 2019 with the aim of introducing people in Kelham Island and Neepsend (hence the name) to parts of the city and surrounding areas they might not discover otherwise. The walks are open to anyone from Sheffield and further afield, with the other KIN, as in friendship and community, equally important. The main meeting point for the walks continues to be in Kelham Island, but they include other points on the route where people can join.

The walk fee covers time spent putting together and testing each of these unique walks as well as costs such as insurance. Please make sure you also bring enough money to cover the cost of public transport as well. We stop for lunch and so please bring a packed lunch as may not be near a shop, although we also try and make sure there is a place en route where you can call in briefly for some snacks or a coffee. We usually finish off with an opportunity for a drink in a decent pub.

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What to bring

Refreshments and packed lunch, plenty of water, and some money or a card to pay for any refreshments you may want to get. We will stop for lunch en-route, although this may not be near a shop, and so please bring your own food with you.

Depending on the weather, we also recommend bringing along warm and waterproof clothing and a hat, or suncream if it's hot. No one can predict the weather. If you are responsible for others, please ensure that they are suitably dressed.

Please note: you will be solely responsible for your own safety. We accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or illness resulting in joining the walk; however we are insured and Robin is trained in First Aid and will carry a first aid kit.

Host or Publisher Anders Hanson