Dams, Disease, Discovery: Sheffield’s Water Heritage in Ewden Valley

Walk leader: Serena
Difficulty: Leisurely
Start time: 10.30
End time: 15.00
Start and end point (circular route): Manchester Road/More Hall Lane bus stop
Distance (in miles): 8
Ascent (in meters): 200
Is your walk dog friendly?: Yes, well-behaved dogs kept on a lead

Full description:
We’ll begin our walk at More Hall Reservoir, where we’ll see the small hamlet that once housed the workers who built the dams in the early 20th century. As we walk along the water’s edge, we’ll trace the path of the old Ewden Railway, built to bring in supplies and labour from Wharncliffe Wood during construction. The reservoirs we’re exploring today were created in response to deadly cholera outbreaks in Sheffield in the 1830s, when the city urgently needed a clean and reliable water supply. Work began in 1913, paused during the First World War, and was completed in the 1930s. As we continue, we’ll pass More Hall Dam, which acts as a compensation reservoir, and make our way toward Broomhead, the main supply reservoir. Along the way, we’ll notice the impressive earthworks carved into the valley—reminders of the landslips and geological challenges faced by the engineers, who had to remove hundreds of thousands of cubic yards of material to stabilise the site.

Climbing gently between the reservoirs, we’ll enjoy sweeping views over the Ewden Valley, shaped by ancient sandstone and layered with history. We’ll spot the site of the old settlement of Wigtwizzle and, if the water levels are low, we might even glimpse archaeological traces from as far back as the Mesolithic—flint tools, pottery fragments, and signs of Roman activity have all been found here. Our walk also invites us to reflect on the broader legacy of the cholera epidemic: not only did it lead to cleaner water, but also to the creation of better-planned cemeteries and burial grounds across Sheffield. As we loop back through woodland paths and along the quiet shores of Broomhead Reservoir, we’ll be walking through a landscape that holds centuries of human endeavour—from ancient camps and medieval farms to public health reform and interwar engineering.

Public transport or car sharing options:
Bus 57 leaves from Paternoster Row/SS2 at 9.54, arriving 10.26. To return, bus 57 or 57a run approximately every 30 minutes. If driving, on road parking may be available at Wharncliffe Side. Public transport is encouraged.

Be prepared:
Please remember to dress appropriately for the time of year. A waterproof is always advised, as well as plenty of food and water. Please bring sun protection if required (sun hat, sunglasses, sun cream, etc). Further information on what to bring can be found on our website here: https://www.sheffieldwalkinggroup.org.uk/be-prepared

Sign-up:
Sign-up for this walk opens 5 days before the event. If you sign up and can no longer make it, please be respectful of others and remove yourself from the event so that others can take your place. We request you do this ***NO LATER THAN 6pm*** the night before the walk.

Please note:
Sheffield 20’s and 30’s Walking Group is part of the Ramblers, a registered charity. All of our leaders are volunteers. Everyone is welcome to join us on our walks, there is no need to contact us in advance, and as long as you have a place on our Meetup booking system you can just show up. Non-members can come on up to 3 walks before joining the group. After 3 walks, we require you to sign up as a Ramblers member for insurance purposes. More information about the group can be found at https://www.sheffieldwalkinggroup.org.uk/faqs.