Birley Spa in Sheffield. Exterior of building. Photograph: Nigel Slack.
Birley Spa, Hackenthorpe, Sheffield, South Yorkshire. Grade II, 1842 -1843
Griff Rhys Jones OBE, Victorian Society President said: ‘It doesn’t take much imagination to see that Birley could so easily be a fascinating attraction and a destination again. I love it. After years of dithering, it has recently been pointed out that the structure is still sound. Does Sheffield have the will to see this one through? Time and time again, it has been shown that good, committed, strong local support and lots of friends can really make a difference and revive the fortunes of a place like this. I hope this can be the case here.’
Grade II Birley Spa, the last remaining Victorian bath house in South Yorkshire, still set within its original grounds, is a unique and little-known gem in Sheffield’s heritage. While neighbouring Buxton is renowned for its spa legacy, Sheffield’s own history of therapeutic bathing is often overlooked. Set amidst lush woodland and a lake, the bath house contains a natural spring and is steeped in centuries of healing tradition. Though local legend suggests Roman origins, the earliest documentary reference appears in 1734, when Dr Thomas Short mentioned the site in his Mineral Waters of England.
Birley Spa, front with staff and children. Historic photo credit: Birley Spa Preservation Trust
In 1843, the second Earl Manvers, Lord of the Manor of Beighton, opened the current Victorian spa complex – a small bath house and hotel – as a speculative public venture. An opening advertisement promised comfort to those suffering from ailments such as rheumatism, gout, and lumbago, who no longer needed to journey to Buxton. The facilities included a marble bath, tepid bath, shower bath, and both male and female plunge baths. The spa welcomed both the wealthy – such as the Duke of Portland, who arrived by carriage and stayed a week – and the poor, through a Bath Charity. A twice-daily omnibus service connected the spa to Sheffield.
Plunge bath at Birley Spa. Photograph: Nigel Slack
However, the spa’s fortunes waned. By 1878, usage declined and the hotel closed. The marble baths were reportedly removed by the Earl for private use. By 1895, only the large plunge bath remained operational. In the 1920s and ’30s, the grounds were transformed into a popular children’s pleasure park, complete with a boating lake fed by the spring. The site became a bustling destination for family outings and Sunday school trips until the outbreak of WWII, when the grounds were closed and the site entered decades of decline.
Birley Spa, rear with balcony. Historic photo credit: Birley Spa Preservation Trust.
Sheffield Corporation compulsorily purchased the property in the 1950s. In 1961, city architect J.L. Womersley proposed converting the building into flats, preserving the plunge pool. In 1997, architect Peter Pace designed a community-focused restoration, and with National Lottery funding, works were completed in 2002. Despite this investment, lack of continued council support has led to renewed disrepair.
In response, local residents formed the Birley Spa Friends group in 2018, which evolved into the Birley Spa Preservation Trust, a registered charity. Though deeply committed, the Trust lacks tenure and has been unable to prevent further deterioration. A 2021 attempt by Sheffield City Council to declare the building a dangerous structure failed, with an independent surveyor affirming its soundness.
Restoration efforts have been hampered by previous alterations: roof tiles were stripped and replaced with felt, now moss-covered, while original cast iron windows were substituted with poor-quality steel shutters. With access to the upper floor restricted, the building’s full condition remains uncertain. The Trust is now seeking National Lottery Heritage Fund Resilience Funding for up-to-date surveys and repair estimates.
Birley Spa facade. Photograph: Nigel Slack.
The group is determined to restore and reopen Sheffield’s only Victorian plunge pool in its original setting – preserving its heritage, supporting community wellbeing, and protecting local biodiversity. Volunteers continue to maintain the grounds, but without formal backing, Birley Spa remains at real risk of being lost forever.
The lake at Birley Spa. Photograph: Nigel Slack.
James Hughes, Director, The Victorian Society said: ‘Birley Spa is a rare and remarkable survivor of Sheffield’s overlooked spa heritage. Its restoration would not only revive a unique Victorian building, but also reconnect the city with a rich, healing tradition that once served all walks of life.’
The full Top Ten Endangered Buildings list 2025 of Victorian and Edwardian buildings, and the archive of our previous Top Ten lists can be viewed here.