Sheffield retro: 20 stunning pictures show how city looked from top of cathedral spire in 2004

But while most of our feathered friends have had access for hundreds of years, few of us have ever had the chance to see the view from the top of the spire at Sheffield Cathedral.

Star photographer Stuart Hastings was one of the lucky few to get a chance to see the unique view across the city the spire provides, when he and reporter Martin Smith were invited up while work was being carried out on the top of the spire in 2006. He took his camera with him, and shared the views with readers. Here, we share those pictures in a gallery, with pictures ranging from the Wicker arches to the Hallamshire Hospital.

If you enjoyed reading this, you may also enjoy looking at 13 iconic city landmarks lost to history, 15 of Sheffield’s favourite family visitor attractions from the 80s and 90s which have been lost or 12 reasons why growing up in Sheffield was better in the 1970s and 1980 than today.