Record Detail

Old tunnel, discovered by workmen in 1935, below the offices of The Star newspaper at Hartshead. Explored by Frank Brindley who concluded that it was the missing tunnel to Sheffield Castle.

Move cursor over image to magnify

s09546
Old tunnel, discovered by workmen in 1935, below the offices of The Star newspaper at Hartshead. Explored by Frank Brindley who concluded that it was the missing tunnel to Sheffield Castle.
Sheffield_City_Centre
1936
1920-1939

The tunnel was cut from solid rock, about six foot in height and five to six feet wide. Frank Brindley, director of F.J. Brindley and Sons, explored the Hartshead opening using two skilled masons. Pictures and an interview were published in The Star in 1936, providing clear proof of their existence. The floor was described as well worn as from long usage, and bone dry, without any trace of rubbish. Its first direction was east, taking a line towards Castle Hill. It turned slightly south and then resumed its eastern direction, and when 50 foot from our entrance hall, we found the first trace of others having found this mystery tunnel before. On one of the rock walls were the following letters 'I.W. 1830' then just below 'B.R.', a dash and then 'T.W.W.B.' Exploring further, they passed beyond High Street and after rounding several bends found the tunnel ended abruptly at a brick wall, probably the foundations of a building in King Street. If the wall had not been built, they would have been able to walk underneath the buildings of King Street, and entered what was once the Castle at a point where the markets were then situated. For more information see, 'Strange South Yorkshire', by David Clarke. Cat. No. 398.3 S.

Copying and access

This digital image, and all images on Picture Sheffield, are protected by copyright. You may use it for private study or non-commercial research, with due acknowledgement.

You may share it on social media via a linked post or by citing www.picturesheffield.com together with the Image Reference, unless its copyright is noted as belonging to another organisation. You must not reproduce it by any other means without permission.