National Emergency Services Museum

About the museum

The museum traces its roots to 1931, when a Sheffield fire brigade superintendent began working towards a museum for the fire service. In the 1970s firefighters showed brigade history at stations around the city and later ran a small display at Division Street fire station. The South Yorkshire Fire Service Museum opened at West Bar in 1984, and the name changed to Fire & Police Museum in 1991 after the former police cells were refurbished.

The building at West Bar opened in 1900 as England's first purpose-built combined police, fire and ambulance station. The ambulance service left in 1913, the fire service in 1924 and the police in 1965. During the Sheffield Blitz of 1940 the old engine house served as a temporary fire station.

In 2015 the museum became a new charitable organisation and took its present name. It now covers the police, fire, ambulance and coastguard services, with ten exhibitions on three floors, about 30 historic vehicles and a 45-foot RNLI lifeboat. Visitors can see Victorian police cells, early ambulances and displays on firefighting in the Blitz, and take part in hands-on activities.

Highlights

• Victorian police cells and tales of Victorian criminals
• About 30 historic emergency vehicles, including a fire engine visitors can climb aboard
• 45-foot RNLI lifeboat
• Exhibitions on the Sheffield Blitz and the First World War
• Hands-on and interactive displays across three floors
• Sensory backpacks and a sensory map for visitors who need them

Permanent exhibitions

• Victorian Police Cells – The former police cells, refurbished in 1991, show how prisoners were held in Victorian Sheffield and tell stories of Victorian criminals.
• Fire Blaze – A display on firefighting with historic appliances, including a fire engine that visitors can board.
• First World War exhibition – An exhibition on the emergency services in the First World War.

Founded

1984

Operated by

National Emergency Services Museum (charitable organisation)

Admission & discounts

Adult tickets are for ages 16 to 60. Every newly bought full-price ticket is upgraded free of charge to a year ticket valid for 12 months from the first visit; returning visitors choose "Revisit" when booking and every named adult must bring matching ID. Online deals are subject to the museum's terms.

Accessibility

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

The building is a historic Victorian police, fire and ambulance station, so access is limited in places. Most of it can be used by standard wheelchair users, ramps and widened doorways have been added and a lift serves all floors. There are occasional steps on the ground floor, the main staircase is worn and uneven, the cobbled courtyard can be hard for visitors with moderate to severe mobility problems, and the Victorian police cells have no step-free access. Some areas use light, sound, smoke and smells; a sensory map shows where, and free sensory backpacks can be borrowed. Assistance and support dogs are welcome throughout; other animals are not allowed inside.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

The museum runs monthly Little Heroes Play Days, school-holiday events and themed programmes, and offers hands-on and interactive displays. Birthday parties can be booked at the museum.

Getting there & parking

Use postcode S3 8PT, which leads to the main road the museum is on. Bike parking is between the main entrance and the neighbouring hotel, with more spaces across the roundabout. The museum is a short walk from the city centre and Sheffield Cathedral.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The café serves hot and cold drinks and handmade treats. There is a museum shop. Wi-Fi is mentioned only for the hired meeting rooms.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 120 guests.

Meeting rooms for 10 to 120 people with TVs and Wi-Fi, corporate venues, children's birthday parties, after-hours paranormal investigations, filming and photography, and visits by uniformed groups such as Scouts and Guides.

Plan your visit