Saga Trail to The Lightfingered Lass with Joanne Clague

Submitted: 5th March 2025

Saga locations of The Lightfingered Lass

This saga series – The Lightfingered Lass is book 2 in the trilogy – is inspired by the real-life House of Help for Friendless Girls, a concept that was ahead of its time when it opened in Sheffield in the 1880s. Come with Joanne for a tour with a difference!

The Lightfingered Lass Joanne Clague

Map of locations in The Lightfingered Lass

Paradise Square

Map of locations in The Lightfingered Lass

Paradise Square

Nan is taken there as an alternative to jail. The institution existed in various locations well into the 20th century, first opening its doors to destitute young women at no.1 Paradise Square in the centre of town.

Paradise Square remains a beautifully preserved example of Georgian architecture, a hidden gem just a minute’s walk from Sheffield Cathedral and the city centre shops and markets. In Victorian times, the square’s steep gradient made it the perfect place to stage political rallies.

Map of locations in The Lightfingered Lass

Botanical Gardens

An oasis in the city, free to visit, the winding paths of the Botanical Gardens take visitors through more than eighteen different garden areas based on geographical or botanical themes. The historic glass houses and landscapes that have been carefully preserved feature in The Lightfingered Lass when an outing is organised for the women of the House of Help, by a certain person who is harbouring romantic designs.

Map of locations in The Lightfingered Lass

Snig Hill

One of Sheffield’s oldest streets, Snig Hill is where our hero and heroine in The Lightfingered Lass collide – literally – on a warm spring day in 1888. It’s interesting to see some buildings still exist from those days. The origin of the name remains disputed. Some say Snig Hill is named for the pieces of wood – ‘snigs’ – used to stop carts rolling away; others say snig is an old name for eel and that there was an eel pond at the foot of the hill.

Map of locations in The Lightfingered Lass

Town centre

This is the street scene facing Nan and Amelia when they set out on their ill-fated shopping expedition – horse-drawn omnibuses, hansom cabs for hire and giant billboards. And, above, today’s High Street.