Walkley Cottage

Visited this pub on Friday. Had fish and chips. The fish was large, with the most delicious in-house made batter, plus home-made chips. The meal was great. Served within good time of ordering and came nice and hot.

The service was friendly efficient and made me feel very welcome.

Great value for money, too.

Had a couple of drinks that are cheaper than most places I have visited.

Friendly staff.

The pub is spotless inside and out.

Am already planning my next trip.

This afternoon I visited the Walkley Cottage Inn on Bole Hill Road. I went to the bar and the man behind it saw and ignored me. I waved and smiled until he came over, and asked for water. He replied by saying 'What?' this happened 3 times until he finally went and came back demanding a pound. I told him it was illegal to charge for tap water and he reluctantly gave it to me.

I went outside and realised it was out of order, so went back and complained to another member of staff. The man came over so I explained how disappointed I was with his antisocial behaviour and managed to get an apology.

I went out again and he followed me and said I wasn't welcome at the pub and tried to take my drink. It turned out he was the boss.

I went in again and complained to someone else, not willing to be bullied, but I received no help. I mentioned she shouldn't put up with this from her boss but she just looked scared. I left.

I suggest if you want to support good, local establishments, you do not go to this pub.

Walkley Cottage, a popular local pub in the Sheffield suburb whose name it bears, has officially reopened under new management. Situated on Bole Hill Road, the pub welcomed back patrons on 21st September, following a brief closure. The new landlady, Sophie Bailey, has wasted no time in making her mark, launching a brand-new menu and introducing a fresh, inviting atmosphere to the venue.

At just 31 years old, Sophie Bailey, from Stannington, has taken on the challenge of reviving Walkley Cottage as part of her broader ambition to expand her pub portfolio. Bailey is no stranger to managing successful establishments. She took over The Clubhouse on London Road in 2022, followed by The Closed Shop in Crookesmoor in 2023. Now, with the Walkley Cottage joining her growing collection, Sophie hopes to continue acquiring a new pub each year.

"I'm a sucker for overworking myself, but it's what I love," she said, reflecting on her fast-paced journey. Despite the demanding workload, Sophie is clearly driven by her passion for transforming these spaces into thriving community hubs.

In just two weeks after receiving the keys, Sophie, with the help of her assistant manager Annabelle Young and her father, Martin Shirley, quickly redecorated the pub. The new look, combined with the addition of a pool table, aims to create a cosy, homely atmosphere. "We've redecorated, we've got a pool table, we're just bringing a bit more of a cosy, homely vibe," Sophie explained. The early response has been overwhelmingly positive, with customers enjoying the relaxed environment.

Although Bailey has exciting plans for the pub, such as introducing weekday offers and a specials board, she's taking a measured approach to ensure everything is done right. "You've got to walk before you can run," she said, emphasising the importance of steady progress.

The most significant change, however, is the launch of a brand-new food menu, which debuted on 1st October. Developed by Sophie alongside head chef Matt Wasnidge and executive head chef Ian Stockdale, the menu blends classic pub fare with customer favourites from The Closed Shop.

Diners can indulge in a variety of dishes, from small plates like nachos, grilled halloumi, and soup (three for £18) to heartier mains. The selection includes British staples such as fish and chips, pork belly, and pie, priced between £12 and £16. For those seeking something more upscale, steaks are available at £22. Families and smaller appetites are also catered to, with kid-friendly options like mini fish and chips, cheese and tomato pasta, and sausage and mash.

Although Walkley Cottage is just getting started under its new management, Sophie Bailey is optimistic about the pub's future. With more improvements and additions planned, the team is excited to build on the positive momentum.

"We're a very friendly team. Our food's lovely, our beer is lovely, and just come down and try it out," Sophie urged locals. The Walkley Cottage is also on the lookout for new staff, with positions open for duty managers and bar staff at both the Walkley Cottage and The Closed Shop.

For updates and hiring information, be sure to follow Walkley Cottage on their social media pages.

Sheffield, a city known for its community spirit and tight-knit neighbourhoods, is saying goodbye to a well-loved local figure. Matthew Begley, the popular landlord of the Walkley Cottage, a well-known pub on Bole Hill Road, is stepping down after four transformative years.

Matthew, an Australian native, took over the Walkley Cottage in December 2020, amidst the uncertainty of COVID-19 lockdowns. Despite the challenging times, he successfully navigated the pub through the pandemic and established it as a thriving community hub. Under his leadership, the pub became a gathering place for locals, hosting events for various organisations, including a riding club and a BMX club.

His efforts to foster a sense of community didn't go unnoticed. "I've enjoyed my time at the Walkley Cottage, and I think I've done a good job here," Matthew reflected. "I've increased the takings and made friends. It's a community pub, and people have been really appreciative."

While Matthew's tenure at the Walkley Cottage was marked by growth and community engagement, it was not without its difficulties. The energy price crisis last year led to large bills that ultimately influenced his decision to leave. Despite these challenges, Matthew's impact on the pub and the local community has been significant. Regulars of the Walkley Cottage have praised him for his contributions, noting how he transformed the pub for the better.

During his time as landlord, the pub also became known for its charitable efforts, such as the popular Thursday night quiz nights, which raised money for local charities. These initiatives helped to strengthen the pub's role as a pillar of the community.

Matthew leaves the Walkley Cottage with optimism for its future. He announced that Sophie Bailey, who manages other popular Sheffield pubs such as the Closed Shop in Crookes and The Clubhouse on London Road, will be taking over as the new manager. "I think I'm leaving the pub in a good place for her," Matthew said, expressing his hope that Sophie and her team would receive a warm welcome from the Walkley community.

As he prepares for his next role with a Bakewell-based family-run pub company in North Derbyshire, Matthew looks back fondly on his time at the Walkley Cottage. "It's been a special time, but we close down for the last time on Saturday night. I will miss the customers," he shared. His departure marks the end of an era for the pub and its patrons, but also the beginning of a new chapter for both Matthew and the Walkley Cottage.

The community now looks forward to seeing how Sophie Bailey will build on the foundations laid by Matthew, continuing the legacy of this popular Sheffield pub.

The Walkley Cottage Inn has applied to erect an outside smoking shelter next to its car park. However, the pub has been told that it must install non-slip flooring in order to comply with health and safety regulations before it will be allowed to open the shelter.