Sheffield
From the 12th century, iron smelting was the chief industry, and by the 14th century, Sheffield cutlery, silverware, and plate were being made. During the Industrial Revolution the iron and steel industries developed rapidly. It now produces alloys and special steels, cutlery of all kinds, permanent magnets, drills, and precision tools. Other industries include electroplating, type-founding, and the manufacture of optical glass. It is an important conference centre which is well served by The Sheffield Supertram, a modern light rail system, opened in 1995.
The parish church of St Peter and St Paul (14th-15th centuries) is the cathedral of Sheffield bishopric established in 1914. Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned in Sheffield between 1570-84, part of the time in the Norman castle, which was captured by the Parliamentarians in 1644 and subsequently destroyed. There are two art galleries (Graves Art Gallery and Mappin Art Gallery); the Ruskin museum, opened in 1877 and revived in 1985; and the Cutlers' Hall. There are also three theatres (the Crucible built in 1971, for many years used as the venue of the World Snooker Championships); the Lyric, designed by W R Sprague in 1897; and the restored Lyceum, reopened in 1990) and two universities (the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University).
The city is a touring centre for the Peak District. The Meadowhall shopping centre in the old steel works area is one of the largest shopping centres in the UK.
The remains of Beauchief Abbey are within the city boundary.

Barnsley
On the River Dearne, 26 km / 16 miles north of Sheffield, Barnsley lies on one of Britain's richest coal fields, although the industry is in decline. Manufactured products include steel, glass, paper, carpets, cakes (Lyons), sports equipment (Dunlop-Slazenger), and clothing. Barnsley was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. The town received the right to hold a market in 1249, and open-air and covered markets are still held three times a week. The Classical-style town hall was built in 1933. Cannon Hall, built in about 1765, is now a country-house museum. The Cooper Art Gallery includes a collection of English drawings and 19th- and 20th-century watercolours.