A Brief History

Studio Budgie is fortunate to be located in a new education, workshop and café building on site at Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, a museum heritage site located on a former steel-working site in Sheffield, England. 

The museum showcases the history of a 18th and 19th-century integrated water-powered industrial works and remained in operation until the 1930’s.

Abbeydale Hamlet is now a remarkably complete example of a 19th-century works. The museum site, with its waterwheels, tilt forge, and other preserved structures, offers a glimpse into the industrial processes of the past. It started as a water-powered iron forge in the 1200s or 1300s, by the 17th century, it evolved into a cutlery works, focused on tools and blades, especially scythes. It was acquired by Sheffield City Council in 1935 and became a museum in the 1970’s. Today, it is managed by Museums Sheffield and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Grade I and II listed site.

Combine a workshop with a look around the museum, the museum is free entry and is open on different days during the year – find more information here.