Upper Cut Wheel (Rivelin Waterpower Sites)

Location/Address

Immediately upstream of Glen Bridge, Rivelin Valley Road, Sheffield S6 5SF

Type

Other site, structure or landscape

Assets that cannot fit any of the other categories. This category includes sites of archaeological interest, where the original form and function may not be apparent without the use of archaeological techniques and interpretation.

Description

Former water-powered grinding Wheel and water management system. One of the Rivelin Waterpower Sites. Upper Cut Wheel and associated water management system are the remains of a water-powered site that dates from around 1749. It was used for cutlery grinding until work ceased in about 1930. Between the wheel pit and the river can be seen the remains of the footings and walls of the mill buildings, partly obscured now under the path and steps up to Rivelin Valley Road. The Upper Cut water management system extends to the north-east and south-west of the site of the former mill buildings. From the low stone weir, a stream flows along the head goit and along the northern retaining wall of the mill dam. The mill dam was very long and narrow and attracted many visitors who used to hire the rowing boats and enjoy rides on the swing boats located nearby. The outline of the dam is now mostly obscured by landslip. The water cascades into the remains of the wheel pit, and then under Rivelin Valley Road and directly into Nether Cut mill dam. The site of the Upper Cut Wheel is located immediately upstream of Glen Bridge – the ‘S Bend’ on Rivelin Valley Road. The site is owned by Sheffield City Council and there is open access. A public footpath (the Rivelin nature and heritage trail) passes the site and runs along the dam wall. The trail here can be accessed from various points along Rivelin Valley Road and from footpaths on the south side of the valley. A good view of the site can be seen by looking over the railings alongside Rivelin Valley Road. A marker post installed at the site by Rivelin Valley Conservation Group gives a brief history and links to a website where further information and pictures can be found. Upper Cut Wheel is one of the 20 water-powered mills built in the Rivelin Valley. This sequence of Rivelin mills and mill dams forms an essential part of Sheffield’s heritage. They also have a broader national and even international significance in relation to the history of the Industrial Revolution in Sheffield. Further information and pictures of Upper Cut Wheel and other sites in the Rivelin valley can be found at https://rivelinvalley.org.uk/rivelin-trails-2/. See also the books ‘Walking the Rivelin’, by Sue Shaw and Keith Kendall (6th edition, 2019, Rivelin Valley Conservation Group) and ‘Water Power on the Sheffield Rivers’, by C. Ball, D. Crossley, N. Flavell (Editors), (2nd Edition (2006), South Yorkshire Industrial Society).

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Statement of Significance

Age

Dates from around 1749. Work ceased in about 1930.

Rarity

This asset is an integral part of an especially rare system of waterpowered sites, described in more detail in the Rivelin Waterpower Sites asset.

Architectural and Artistic Interest

This site is one of a group that collectively and individually demonstrate the construction techniques and interrelationships of waterpowered sites, described in more detail in the Rivelin Waterpower Sites asset. The outfall from Upper Cut Wheel feeds directly into the Nether Cut dam. This is a technique used to enable high density exploitation of a river that is especially characteristic of upland streams such as those in Sheffield during a period of unprecedented industrialisation.

Group Value

This site contributes to the significance of the Rivelin Waterpower Sites asset and to the waterpower sites on other rivers in the city, and is integral to an understanding of the role and impact of waterpower in Sheffield. Upper Cut and Nether Cut Wheels have additional group value, owing to the use of a single weir for both sites.

Historic Interest

○ This site is of historic interest in its illustration of the uses of waterpower, central to the reputation fame and identity of Sheffield; the many and varied uses for waterpower; the industrial development of the area; the impact of communications and topography; the lives and trades of working people; and the practice and policy of landowners, This is described in more detail in the Rivelin Waterpower Sites asset. The mill dam was very long and narrow and attracted many visitors who used to hire the rowing boats and enjoy rides on the swing boats located nearby. This illustrates the changing use of industrial sites for recreational purposes, which continues at a number of other local sites.

Archaeological Interest

This site has the potential for underground remains that with further investigation could reveal their development over time, including changes of use and the evolution of industrial processes and construction techniques. Because the sites were not overtaken by later industrial development, any remains are likely to be relatively intact.

Landmark Status

The Rivelin Valley is an extremely popular leisure destination for local people, largely defined by its waterpower remains, including this site.

Images and Documents

Photo

Upper%20Cut%20Wheel%20former%20building%20location%20and%20tail%20goit_2016-01-23_13_17-scaled%20(RVCG).jpg

Upper Cut Wheel: the footings and walls of the former buildings can still be seen, now partly obscured under the path and steps up to Rivelin Valley Road. The tail goit disappears into a culvert underneath the road, to emerge into Nether Cut mill dam. (RVCG, 2016).

Date Listed

15 Aug 2022

Last Updated

19 Apr 2022