I’m a virtual visitor to the four pubs that served the population of Park Hill Estate.
I arrived late on the scene from not too distant Manchester, sadly much too late to stop and have a pint in The Parkway, Scottish Queen, Link or Earl George.
Built in the 1960s when municipal architecture spoke of optimism and innovation, the story of the estate is an oft told tale of decline and renovation.
Grade II* listed the building’s structure has prevailed, the original social structures, tenants and consequently their pubs have not.
Bewitched by the fragments which I photographed on my belated visits, I have searched the archives of Picture Sheffield, Postcard Cafe and Little Bits Of Sheffield.
Piecing together photographs and the distant reminiscences of those that lived, breathed and drank in their pubs beneath the streets in the sky.
The Link on Park Hill had some colourful characters.
If you want any info on the Link next time you are in town see the man selling fishing tackle outside Castle Market ,he is called Chris Hardy his dad ran the link in the 60’s they used to have the Sun Inn on South St before Park Hill was built, tell Chris that Alan Betty’s cousin told you about him.
I once did a job outside the Scottish Queen and had a lump of concrete thrown at me! it landed about 2m away, that made me jump!
Joe Fox used to be the landlord in the George in the 70s, didn’t stand for any messing about.
Earl Francis! Of course! That was driving me mad; I was just going to ring my mum and ask her if she could remember what it was called. I think it closed in the early 90s, at the same time as the renovations of Hyde Park Walk and Terrace – 1990/1991, if I remember correctly.
The Earl Francis was still open in 1994 – the last time I went in there, but was dying on its feet.
Park Hill is empty, and due to be refurbished.
It’s amazing to think that each complex had all these pubs and people actually went in them! Drove past Park Hill a few months ago at night and it didn’t look like a soul lived in them.
Not surprised the Tavern has closed down. Don’t know whether people are happy or sad about it…They looked like an absolute dive, but I’ve always wanted to go and have a look around them to see what they’re like close up!
Why is it amazing to think that?
The Parkway
Picture Sheffield 1965
Picture Sheffield © S Cole 2011
The flats and in particular the Parkway Tavern were used in the 2014 film ’71 – which was set in Northern Ireland. So this photograph showing the bar with a packet of crisps is actually slightly misleading because the crisp bag was only a printed film prop and what looks like broken glass on the bar is fake! – Mr C
The Scottish Queen
A new pub could open on the site of what was once voted Britain’s second most dangerous watering hole. The Scottish Queen at Park Hill was notorious for violence, with only the most hardy drinkers brave enough to cross its threshold.
April 2015 saw the launch of a new exhibition space in Sheffield, housed within the former Scottish Queen pub at the Brutalist icon that is the Park Hill estate. The Scottish Queen hosted a temporary programme of exhibitions, events and residencies in partnership with a range of artists and organisations from across Sheffield supported by S1 Artspace.
Possibly the second toughest art space in Britain.
The Link
Picture Sheffield
© Matt Surgeon
Sheffield History
The Earl George
Picture Sheffield
In the 1960s 70s I used to go in the Link pub, I liked the Scottish Queen pub as well.
Do you think they’ll open all the pubs again when all the work is finished?
Modern Mooch 
Enjoyed looking at this site and remembering the good times we had living on Park Hill Flats .The Parkway Hotel featured on a Sky production of England’s Toughest Pubs but it wasn’t as bad as some made out. We played for the Parkway Hotel before we were renamed Park Hill FC and I was the manager by then and we went on to win the league we were in . Great Times Great People Great Memories👍
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Thanks for your positive comments and memories Charlie – much appreciated.
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Spent a lot of time in the Parkway my Mum worked there for many a year
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Remember Colin Hardy and his son Chris.
I worked with Chris at ATS Tyres in Rotherham.
He married my cousin Betty Parrish.
Good times in the Link.
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Ken issued to play darts for The Link
and The Parkway Pubs
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My first pub at 18 was the Earl George, 1 the pavement park hill.. 1991 or11992 The guy I worked for Bob, bought The Earl George and the Earl Francis as a package deal. We tarted the pub up a bit and really enjoyed it. A bit rough but some really nice people.. any one remember mucky Mary?
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My grandad Cyril Vick was a regular in those pubs especially The Link as he lived in Park Hill flats
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I rember all the pubs in and around the flats inter pub fishing match no one caught a fish. Winner was Scottish Queen drawn out of a hat
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What a lovely tale – well done the Queen!
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Hi, I was the photographer who took photos of the interior of the then closed Parkway Tavern in 2011. At the time I was travelling around Sheffield photographing closed pubs I wanted to get at least one Park Hill pub as the Earl George and Scottish Queen had already been demolished so leaving the Link which was only accessible by going though the Urban Splash work area they were less than happy about that idea ,so that left ParkwayTavern.
I went to Sheffield City Council to ask them for permission to access the pub this was granted and a day was arranged. An lady council worker met me at Parkway Tavern along with a Police car with two Policeman in it I thought to myself surely this is overkill for someone who wants to take photos? One of the Policeman gave the lady a set of keys and in we went the pub had been the target of theft and criminal damage since it closed hence why the Police had the keys. The inside was heavy damaged the upstairs flat was more or less intact the front room was quite big. I couldn’t get down to the cellar due a door ripped off its hinges and placed across the entrance. The public bars had glass everywhere so had to be careful .I understand later on the pub was used for filming about Northern Ireland Troubles allegedly the Parkway was quite a rough pub and was featured on a TV show about rough boozers around the country. Thanks for the acknowledgement for the photos.
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Sounds like quite a day, under heavy supervision. So glad that you were able to record the pub before it went all together.
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