WWII and the Blitz @ NESM

Our amazing historic home offers a unique sense of place that will bring learning alive like nowhere else. Your group can delve into the history of the fire service within the walls of a once-operational fire station, learning more about the brigade by exploring our historic engine house and our ‘Fiery Blaze to Fire Brigade’ exhibition. What’s more, the breadth of our museum archive lets your group get up close and personal with their topic in a unique way. From equipment that illustrates how the Great Fire of London was fought, to understanding the experiences of World War II through interaction with original objects, we can bring history to life for the youngest to the oldest visitor. Our fleet of amazing vehicles – from 200-year-old fire engines to a full-sized RNLI lifeboat – adds another exciting dimension for learners. Groups enjoying our guided learning workshops engage with their subject through hands-on interaction with real items from our collection, while costumed characters help visitors engage with the people of the past. The museum’s exhibitions – covering everything from the history of the fire service to the modern emergency services – add an extra dimension to every visit, providing an amazing and unique backdrop for your workshop.

We offer a selection of in-house workshops, delivered by our learning and discovery team, which include time to explore the museum. We also welcome school trips wishing to undertake self-guided tours.

Experience life on the home front in our World War II and the Blitz workshop, for flexible ages. Groups will discover the plans for invading Britain and how children played their part in the war effort. They’ll learn how Sheffield’s steel industry made it a target for German bombing, the effects of raids on the city and how the emergency services coped with help from the civilian population. They can also come face to face with an incendiary bomb and handle a range of original artefacts from our WWII collection to discover how Britain played its part in defeating the Nazi menace. Using lights, sounds, smoke and smells, your class will be fully immersed with our bombed out house; don't forget to take cover in our original air raid shelter. This workshop’s curriculum focuses include history, design technology and science.

For guided workshops we can usually cater for single groups of up to 70, dependent on the workshop(s) required. Numbers for self-guided visits are dependent on availability and must be pre-booked. Contact the museum for more information.

Two fully-equipped learning and discovery rooms are available at the museum. Groups visiting us for guided workshops are given exclusive access to these during their visits for classroom work and as a space to eat packed lunches. They can also be made available as a lunch space to self-guided groups, dependent on availability.

Yes, We have a First Aider on site during your visit however school groups should provide there own first aid cover.

Yes, Our workshops can be adapted to suit everyone's needs.

Our workshop is a full day (10am-2pm), All group visits must be booked in advance.