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Middlewood
Middlewood is a locale in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, and it lies on the outskirts of the city and as such is a very rural location full of picturesque charm. Originally Middlewood was a completely rural environment however the growth and expansion of Sheffield in the 1960's meant that it began to encompass a large number of settlements into the city boundaries. There are a variety of local landmarks and sites of special interest and unique heritage in Middlewood including the popular Middlewood Hall. This was constructed in 1810 by Mark Skelton, originally the site was home to a small farmhouse however Skelton expanded this and the site in general to produce the Hall as we know it today. Skelton came from a family that made their fortune in steel (as with many businesspeople and philanthropists in Sheffield) and their forges used to line the River Don. Middlewood Hall changed hands many times over the years and it is currently a private family dwelling.
It is grade two listed and is much loved by local Middlewood residents as it lends a particular charachter and charm to the region, and is a direct link to the history of the area. A number of historic hospitals are also unique to the Middlewood area, these grand structures began life as a small medical hospital and psychiatric hospital respectively in the late 1800's and encompassed the best and the worst of the Victorian asylum and hospital system. One of the hospitals was eventually partially bulldozed to make way for a private housing development. Middlewood Tavern is one of the oldest pubs in Sheffield, it has a fully documented history dating back to 1835 and it is still a well kept secret as it is somewhat off the beaten track. A large portion of Middlewood has been developed into housing estates, some former hospital land has been converted into affordable housing along with farming and allotment land, and many of the houses date from the 1960's.
Middlewood is also home to a site of special scientific interest, Wadsley Fossil Forest. It contains a number of fossilised tree stumps that are considered the best preserved examples in the UK. Many facilities are on the metaphorical doorstep of Middlewood, a short commute to Hillsborough will provide every kind of shop, school, pub, club, restaurant and entertainment you could desire, and Sheffield City Centre is a relatively short journey away. Middlewood is a unique area and a combination of urban facilities and rural charm, and it is a popular destination with people who live and work in Sheffield and those who commute to further afield each day.
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