Cornish Place

Cornish Place is a factory building in Sheffield that spans four acres along Ball Street and the River Don. The structure features elegant stone facades and brick with arched windows, originally built for manufacturing Britannia metal and Sheffield plate.

James Dixon & Sons founded a manufacturing facility here in 1819 for Britannia metal and Sheffield plate production. The company expanded significantly through the 1860s, becoming a major center for metalwork in the region.

The name comes from Cornish tin, which was a key ingredient in the Britannia metal made within these walls. Workers and craftspeople shaped the local community here, and their skills passed down through generations who lived nearby.

The building was extensively renovated in 1998 and now contains residential apartments while preserving its historic features. Be aware that this is private residential property, so access may be limited to viewing the exterior and surroundings.

The factory produced Britannia metal, an alloy that was 93 percent tin and served as an affordable alternative to silver. This material was popular with families who could not afford genuine silver, making Sheffield a major center for this specialized type of manufacturing.

Location: Sheffield

GPS coordinates: 53.39010,-1.47660

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:45