Queen's Ground Hotel, Sheffield

Three-storey of stone which may date back to the c.1870 and originally a Ward’s pub. The inner lobby created by a full height glazed screen has a distinctive terrazzo floor with the wording 'Queen’s Ground Hotel.' The name originated from the cricket and athletics ground which was situated at the back of the pub. The name changed from ‘Queens Ground Hotel’ to ‘Queens Ground’ in the 1960s.

A plan of 1913 shows the original layout of the Tap Room on the left, Smoke Room on the rear left, and the Billiard Room front right with a bar counter in a lobby forward of the front door. The tap room was separated from then then servery by a glazed screen which formed the bar back. Nowadays, the door on the left of the lobby leads into what is a mainly open-plan interior which dates from changes in 1973 when the present bar counter was added to replace the original bar counter and its rear screen; also removed were the wall to the right of the lobby.

To the left of the entry, the original tap room has the inter-war wording ‘Smoke Room’ with a S.H.Wards 'sheaf' symbol above on the exterior bay window and highly detailed decorated coving, which could date from c.1870. The rear left former smoke room has fielded panelling to picture-frame height with bell pushes around the room but as we have no plans to indicate an older date it may only date from 1973 when an extra doorway on the left was cut into the wall between the front left and rear room. The panelling covers up a rear window and an original fireplace situate at the front of this area.

On the front right is the original billiard room (note the inter-war wording on the front bay windows with S.H.Wards 'sheaf' symbol above). The highlight here is the fine fireplace of inter-war design with copper interior fittings/hood. Look for the damage to the cooper at the top right of the fireplace which is believed to have been caused from constant hits from the swinging hanging snooker chalk. The rear right room was originally living quarters until the extensive 1973 refit and is the new billiard room. It has a three-quarter-size size snooker table with raised seating around the room and is served from a new hatch to the back of the servery.

Another feature of note is the semi-circular 'Wards Fine Malt Ales Wines Sprits' leaded window high up above the left hand side of the servery. Although it does fit perfectly implying it was always there it was originally, it has moved from its original position – possibly on a glazed screen that formed the bar back as the plans show it has only been in that position since 1973. Other changes in 1973 include adding the present toilets to replace outside ones.