Forge dam from the hill

Forge Dam from the Hill – Sheffield, Circa 1900
A peaceful view of one of Sheffield’s hidden gems at the dawn of the 20th century

This enchanting photograph captures a tranquil moment at Forge Dam, nestled in the wooded hills of Whitley Woods, just outside Sheffield. Taken around 1900, it shows a calm boating lake surrounded by trees, meadows, and the faint outline of Victorian villas scattered across the rolling Yorkshire countryside.

In the distance, you can almost hear the quiet hum of a growing industrial city just beyond the hills—Sheffield, which would receive its official city status just one year later in 1893, in recognition of its booming steel and cutlery industries.

Forge Dam became a popular weekend retreat for families and ramblers escaping the smoke of the factories. Even today, it remains a beloved green space for locals, steeped in memory and change.

🗓️ Did you know? In 1900, Sheffield was one of the fastest-growing industrial cities in England, yet parks like Forge Dam offered an essential breath of fresh air.

📍 Whitley Woods, Sheffield, England
📷 Photograph circa 1900

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