Old Queen's Head, Sheffield

The Old Queen's Head is a historic pub in Sheffield, known for being the oldest surviving domestic building in the city. This timber-framed structure dates back to around 1475, making it a significant architectural relic from the 15th century. It has been designated as a Grade II* listed building since 1952, highlighting its cultural and historical importance.

Originally, the building was part of the estate of George Talbot, the 6th Earl of Shrewsbury, and the earliest recorded mention of it appears in a 1582 inventory, where it was referred to as "The hawle at the Poandes" or "Hall i' th' Ponds." It is believed that the building may have served as a banqueting hall for parties hunting wildfowl in the nearby ponds, which were located at the confluence of the Porter Brook and the River Sheaf. These ponds no longer exist, but their legacy persists in local place names like Pond Street, Pond Hill, and Ponds Forge.

By the early 19th century, the building was repurposed as a house. In 1840, a pub named the Old Queen's Head opened in a neighboring building. After 1862, the pub expanded into the historic Hall i' th' Ponds. Additional alterations and expansions were made to the rear of the building later in the 19th century. The pub's current name, the Old Queen's Head, likely refers to Mary, Queen of Scots, who was imprisoned in Sheffield between 1570 and 1584.

In 1993, the building underwent a refurbishment while under the management of the Tom Cobleigh pub company. Today, the Old Queen's Head is operated by Thwaites Brewery, continuing its legacy as a beloved pub and an enduring symbol of Sheffield's rich history.