Hadfield’s Weir

Just outside the main doors to Meadowhall Shopping Centre at the Oasis side, you can see our first weir immediately. This is Hadfield’s Weir.

Hadfield’s Weir is one of the key features along Sheffield’s Five Weirs Walk, showcasing the city’s industrial heritage and its ongoing river restoration work. Located near Attercliffe, this historic weir once powered major steelworks and played an important role in Sheffield’s manufacturing era. Today, walkers can enjoy views of the cascading water, nearby wildlife habitats and the improved riverside environment created through regeneration projects. Hadfield’s Weir offers a striking blend of history, engineering and nature, making it a memorable stop along the River Don trail.

Follow the Trail

Facing Hadfield’s Weir, we turn left and walk upstream of the River Don. Follow the signs available for the Five Weirs Walk.

Meadowhall Shopping

Meadowhall Shopping Centre is one of the UK’s largest and most popular retail destinations, offering over 250 shops, restaurants and entertainment venues under one roof. Located in Sheffield with excellent transport links, Meadowhall features high-street favourites, designer brands, independent stores and a vibrant dining quarter, making it a top spot for shopping, leisure and family days out. With free parking, a cinema, and direct access to riverside walks like the Five Weirs Walk, Meadowhall is a hub for visitors looking to combine retail therapy with local exploration.

River Don

We follow the River Don on the right hand side of our path with the Meadowhall car park on the left hand side. Keep following this path until you reach a road, Weedon Street.

At Weedon Street

At the road, turn right and carefully cross the road to the other side. You will see the arched sign for the Five Weirs Walk beside the River Don. Head down the path that follows.

Brightside Weir

Brightside Weir is one of the historic features along Sheffield’s Five Weirs Walk, marking an early point on the riverside trail between Meadowhall and the city centre. Once crucial to powering local industry along the River Don, the weir now forms part of a regenerated landscape where wildlife, walking routes and heritage come together. Its flowing cascade and surrounding greenery offer a peaceful contrast to the nearby industrial past, making Brightside Weir an interesting and scenic stop for anyone exploring Sheffield’s riverside paths.

Carbrook Street

The route now takes you to Carbrook Street where we turn right and walk to the main road at the top of the street. This takes us to Attercliffe Common where we turn right and follow the main road for a short while.

Janson Street

Passing by the Sheffield Forgemasters site, you will come to a dual carriageway road bearing right known as Janson Street. It runs around the side of Sheffield Forgemasters. Here, we cross this road carefully and head right along Janson Street for a short while until we arrive at Bold Street on your left.

Bold Street

Walk along bold street and on your right hand side you will see the route continues for the Five Weirs Walk. The path is short before arriving at a footbridge over the River Don.

This path is shared with cyclists so please be careful as you walk along this route.

Follow the Trail

The trail bends off to the left at the other side of the bridge and follows the River Don further. This takes us to Newhall Road.

Summer Flowers

Your eyes are typically drawn to the River Don but you can also expect it to be quite floral along this route at times, particularly in summer.

Newhall Road

The path ends at Newhall Road where there is a road bridge over the River Don. Here we carefully cross the road and walk over the bridge to the left. At the other side you will see that the route continues on the opposite bank of the Don.

Stevenson Road

Follow the path around the curve to Stevenson Road where you will see a bridge over the River Don. We do not cross the bridge but simply cross the road and follow the River Don on the left of it.

Railway Bridge

The route takes you underneath an industrial railway bridge that is still in use today. Follow the path and ignore any junctions you may see. Keep following the trail until you reach East Coast Road.

Sanderson’s Weir

Sanderson’s Weir is one of the most notable stops along Sheffield’s Five Weirs Walk, reflecting the city’s deep industrial heritage and its connection to the River Don. Originally built to power local mills and steelworks, the weir now sits within a revitalised section of the riverside trail, where walkers can enjoy a mix of flowing water, historic structures and emerging wildlife habitats. Its characterful setting and links to Sheffield’s manufacturing past make Sanderson’s Weir a fascinating point of interest for anyone exploring this popular urban walk.

Cross the Bridge

Here where it may get slightly tricky. On my visit some of the path was closed. In any case, cross the bridge on East Coast Road and cross over to locate the path on the opposite side of the River Don. If the path is not closed, simply follow it to the next weir.

If the path is closed when you visit, you will need to walk further under the railway bridge and turn left on Brightside Lane and Princess Street. Where Princess Street meets Attercliffe Road, you will see a smaller road known as Warren Street. Follow this road and on the right you will see an alley to the River Don. Here you will find Burton Weir.

A Possible U-Turn

If you had to make a detour, then you will now have to perform a u-turn and head back to Warren Street and turn left. At the junction, follow Attercliffe Road left into Sheffield. You will see the signs for the Five Weirs Walk on your left hand side. We cross the River Don once again at this point.

Arched Route

Follow the shady arched pathway clearly marked as the Five Weirs Walk. Follow it all the way down until you reach the footbridge on the left hand side.

Grey Heron

You may discover grey heron on this section of the route. The Grey Heron is a striking and familiar sight along rivers, canals and wetlands, known for its tall, elegant stance and slow, deliberate movements. Often seen standing motionless at the water’s edge, the heron patiently hunts for fish, amphibians and small aquatic creatures. Its long neck, sharp bill and powerful wings make it instantly recognisable in flight and on the ground. A regular visitor to the River Don and the Five Weirs Walk, the Grey Heron adds a touch of wildlife beauty to Sheffield’s urban waterways, making it a favourite among local walkers, photographers and nature enthusiasts.

Sheffield Bailey Bridge

The Sheffield Bailey Bridge is an iconic steel structure on the Five Weirs Walk, showcasing classic military engineering adapted for modern urban use. Originally designed as a portable, modular bridge during World War II, this Bailey bridge now provides a distinctive crossing over the River Don, linking key sections of the riverside trail. Its utilitarian lattice design, historic relevance and riverside setting make it a popular landmark for walkers and photographers. As one of the most recognisable features on the route, the Sheffield Bailey Bridge adds both character and heritage to the city’s evolving waterfront.

Effingham Street

At the opposite side of the Bailey Bridge we reach Effingham Street. We turn right here and you wlll see Walk Mill Weir directly ahead. You will also see an island affectionately known as Walk Mill Island.

Walk Mill Weir

Walk Mill Weir is the first historic weir encountered on Sheffield’s Five Weirs Walk, marking the start of the trail’s journey into the city’s industrial past. Originally built to power Walk Mill, a key part of Sheffield’s early manufacturing heritage, the weir now sits within a restored stretch of the River Don where wildlife and history blend seamlessly. Its flowing cascade, nearby artworks and improved riverside access make Walk Mill Weir a memorable and atmospheric stopping point for walkers exploring this popular urban route.

Sussex Street

In quick succession you will see a short street called Sussex Street on your right hand side. We follow this road until we reach a suspension footway underneath a brick bridge. Don’t forget to look up for the well lit spiders!

Sheffield City Centre

The route now takes you into Sheffield City Centre. If you turn left at the end of the trail, this will take you towards Malin Bridge or straight on to Sheffield Railway Station.