Millennium Gallery

About the museum

The Millennium Gallery opened in April 2001 as part of Sheffield's Heart of the City regeneration project. Designed by the architects Pringle Richards Sharratt, the building is made mainly of concrete and glass, with a row of galleries leading off a central avenue that links Arundel Gate with the Winter Garden. It stands in the city centre near the railway station, the Central Library and the Graves Gallery.

The gallery shows two permanent collections. The Ruskin Collection was assembled by the Victorian writer and critic John Ruskin, who founded it in 1875 as St George's Museum in Walkley to inspire Sheffield's workers. It includes watercolours, drawings, illustrated manuscripts, minerals and coins, belongs to the Guild of St George and is shown in regularly changing displays. The Metalwork Collection, one of the finest in the world, presents more than 800 pieces of Sheffield cutlery, flatware and tableware together with metal objects from around the globe.

Two exhibition spaces host a changing programme of national and international art and design. Sheffield Museums Trust, a charity, runs the gallery together with the other Sheffield Museums sites, and it also offers a cafe, a shop and rooms for events.

Highlights

• Ruskin Collection of art, manuscripts and minerals
• Metalwork Collection with more than 800 pieces of Sheffield cutlery and tableware
• Changing exhibitions of national and international art and design
• Central avenue linking Arundel Gate and the Winter Garden
• Gallery shop with Sheffield-made gifts and design classics

Permanent exhibitions

• Metalwork Collection – More than 800 pieces of Sheffield cutlery, flatware and tableware alongside metal objects from every continent.
• Ruskin Collection – Art, illustrated manuscripts and minerals gathered by John Ruskin for the people of Sheffield, shown in regularly changing displays.

Founded

2001

Operated by

Sheffield Museums Trust

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free; the gallery asks visitors to donate 5 pounds if they can.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Step-free throughout, with a fully accessible lift. Wheelchairs can be borrowed on request. The accessible toilet is on the ground floor; the nearest Changing Places toilet is at the Crucible Theatre, about 300 metres away. Blue Badge spaces are outside the Central Library building with a three-hour limit. Films have captions, large-print information sheets are available in exhibitions, and some interactives are at a low level. Seating and folding stools are available. The metalwork displays include a film with loud machine sounds. A visual story is available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

Sheffield Museums run family events and activities, especially in school holidays, plus regular family trails that can be requested from staff on arrival. The metalwork and Ruskin galleries have low-level interactives. Baby-change facilities are on the ground floor.

Getting there & parking

From the M1, leave at junction 33, take the A57 and follow signs for the city centre and theatres. Sheffield has a Clean Air Zone and a bus gate on Arundel Gate.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check: not available
• Lockers: not available

The cafe Ambulo is open Tuesday to Sunday. Food and drink may not be taken into the galleries. The shop sells homeware, jewellery, prints, books and Sheffield foods. The gallery has no lockers or cloakroom.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 250 guests.

The Cadman and Arundel Rooms together seat up to 250 people; the Arundel Room alone seats up to 100. Licensed for weddings and civil ceremonies, with a licensed bar.

Plan your visit