Before the massive expansion of Sheffield and the surrounding area as a centre in the industrial revolution, Langsett was a sleepy little valley of isolated farms. Cut Gate is an old drovers track used by the shepherds of the Hope Valley to bring their cattle over to Penistone Market and The Woodhead Pass was used by the Cheshire Salt traders. When construction of the Dam started, the farms were abandonded and the hamlet of Langsett thrived for a while. Our cafe opened at this time as the village shop. With the coming of the second world war the local hills reverberated to the sound of tank fire, tracks were built round the reservoir with brick

rubble from the Sheffield blitz and the Dam Busters could be heard overhead practicing for their epic mission. Shell marks can still be seen in stonework of the abandoned farms, and on occasion, after rain, shells resurface from the peat bogs.

Langsett has returned to tranquility and is now an ideal setting for a pleasant walk through the woods and onto the moors. The Cafe is still going strong, keeping up the tradition of warm hospitality and looking after our customers- some of whom can even remember coming here during the war!!!