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A very large bomb standing vertically on display in the Museum entrance hall. A very large bomb standing vertically on display in the Museum entrance hall.

© Richard Connolly

© Richard Connolly

Grand Slam Bomb

Continuing Display

Kelham Island Museum

The Grand Slam Bomb is the heaviest bomb in the world, weighing 10 tonnes. They were produced by Vickers & Co, Sheffield, at their River Don Works during the Second World War.

 

It was designed by Sir Barnes Wallis, a British Aeronautical Engineer, who also created the Bouncing Bomb used in the Dambusters Raid. The Grand Slam Bomb was used by RAF Bomber Command against strategic targets such as bridges and viaducts, railways and U-boat shelters. Only 30 to 40 of the bombs were ever made and they were only used during 1945, the last year of the war.

The main portion of the Grand Slam Bomb, without its lightweight tail, can be seen at the museum.

Free Entry | Please Donate £5

Opening Times

Tue-Sat 10am-4pm | Sun 11am-4pm

Closed Mondays including Bank Holidays

See the River Don Engine in steam at 12pm and 2pm, Thursday – Sunday (see below for any exceptions)

Christmas Opening Hours

Tue 23 Dec 10am–4pm

Wed 24 Dec 10am–2pm

Christmas closure: Wed 24 Dec from 2pm – Mon 5 Jan

Reopens: Tue 6 Jan 2026

***The Museum will be closed on Tue 9 Dec for the Victorian Christmas Market set down. We're sorry if you were hoping to visit then, the museum will reopen as usual from Wed 10 Dec***

***The museum will open at the slightly later time of 11.30am on Thu 18 Dec to allow for essential staff training***

Kelham Island Museum

Alma Street

Sheffield

S3 8RY

A very large bomb standing vertically on display in the Museum entrance hall.

Grand Slam Bomb

© Richard Connolly

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Explore the industry that shaped Sheffield and immerse yourself in life at home and at work at this rural scythe and steelworks,  just a 10 minute walk from Millhouses Park. 

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