Wicker Arches

A Victorian spine beneath the city

Beneath the streets of Sheffield’s city centre, the Wicker Arches form a powerful reminder of the city’s industrial and railway heritage. This 21-arch brick viaduct was built in the mid-19th century to carry the Sheffield and Rotherham Railway into the newly constructed Sheffield Victoria Station. The structure runs from Bridgehouses through the Wicker area, creating a covered urban canyon that once echoed with the clatter of steam trains and the bustle of goods yards. Today, the arches still carry active rail lines, but the space beneath has been repurposed into a lively mix of workshops, small businesses, bars and event spaces.

From railway gateway to urban corridor

The Wicker Arches were central to Sheffield’s expansion as a railway hub. When Wicker Station opened in 1838 as the town’s first railway terminus, it marked Sheffield’s entry into the national rail network. Later, the larger Sheffield Victoria Station was built alongside the Wicker, requiring this substantial viaduct to extend the line. For decades, the arches framed a busy transport corridor, with trams, buses and cabs passing beneath while trains thundered overhead. After Victoria Station closed to regular passenger services in the 1970s, the viaduct remained in use for freight and diverted services, preserving its role as a working piece of infrastructure.

Life under the arches today

Today, the Wicker Arches are a distinctive part of Sheffield’s urban fabric. The arches house a range of independent businesses, from craft workshops and music venues to bars and nightclubs, giving the area a gritty, creative energy. Street art and graffiti add colour to the brickwork, while the constant rumble of trains overhead reinforces the site’s industrial character. The arches are freely accessible at all times, making them ideal for a short walk, a photo stop or an atmospheric detour between the city centre and the Wicker area. Evening visits reveal a different mood, with neon signs and music spilling from the venues tucked into the arches.

Exploring the Wicker’s story

The area around the arches is rich in history. The Wicker itself was once a major route out of the old town, leading to Assembly Green and beyond, and later became a popular nightlife strip with cinemas and pubs. Lady’s Bridge, just upstream, has stood since the late 15th century and offers fine views of the River Don and the surrounding cityscape. Walking through the arches, it’s easy to imagine the scene in the early 20th century, when trams and trains shared the space, and the Wicker was a hub of commerce and entertainment. Interpretive panels and local heritage trails help connect the arches to Sheffield’s broader story of steel, railways and urban change.