Alright, have a look just ahead! You’re searching for a rather eye-catching building - the Old Queen’s Head. It sits right here at 40 Pond Hill, and let me tell you, it’s impossible to miss. Set against the more modern buildings around it, this pub looks like it's fallen straight out of a history book. The main feature is its black and white, timber-framed walls-sort of like the ultimate medieval zebra, but friendlier. Its uneven upper floor actually juts out a bit over the ground floor, showing off those exposed beams with a bit of Tudor flair. And of course, there’s the traditional pub sign above the entrance, inviting you in like an old friend.
Now, take a deep breath, because you’re standing in front of the oldest surviving domestic building in Sheffield. Built around 1475, this place is so old that when it was new, Henry VIII wasn’t even a glint in his father’s eye. Imagine, the spot you’re standing on was once surrounded by ponds and wild, squawking birds, with nobles on horseback hunting for their dinner. The building might’ve been a banqueting hall for big parties… and with all that feasting, I bet they could’ve done with modern cutlery!
Now, let’s add a sprinkle of royal mystery: the name Old Queen’s Head probably refers to Mary, Queen of Scots, who spent twelve years imprisoned in Sheffield. They say she paced, plotted and, at times, maybe dreamed of a pint herself. Are those footsteps you hear in the floorboards from patrons, or perhaps from a restless royal ghost pacing after curfew? That’s for the imagination-and maybe your next drink-to decide.
Since 1840, this remarkable spot has been a pub, though it only moved into this very building after some reshuffles with the neighbours. Over the centuries, it’s survived new owners, renovations, and a fair number of wild nights, but it’s always stood strong-wobbly beams and all.
Step up to the door. If you listen closely, you might hear the echo of a medieval party, the rustle of silk skirts, or maybe just the cheerful clatter of today’s pint glasses. Cheers to the Old Queen’s Head-a little slice of time travel (no time machine required)!
