Rotherham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rotherham |
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| Town | |
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Top to bottom, left to right: Rotherham Effingham Square, Bridge and Chapel, Town Hall, River Don Weir, Beeversleigh Flats and Minster |
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 Rotherham
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| Population | 109,691 (2011 census) |
| OS grid reference | SK4392 |
| Metropolitan borough |
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| Metropolitan county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ROTHERHAM |
| Postcode district | S60-S62, S65, S66 |
| Dialling code | 01709 (01226 in areas) (01909 in areas) (0114 in areas) |
| Police | South Yorkshire |
| Fire | South Yorkshire |
| Ambulance | Yorkshire |
| EU Parliament | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| UK Parliament |
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Rotherham (
i/ˈrɒðərəm/ rodh-ƏR-əm) is a busy market town in South Yorkshire, England. It sits where two rivers meet: the River Rother (which gives the town its name) and the River Don. Rotherham is the biggest town in the Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham.
Long ago, before big factories, people in Rotherham mostly farmed, made glass, and ground flour. In the late 1700s and 1800s, the town became famous for its coal mining and, later, for making steel. Rotherham used to be part of Yorkshire. In 1974, the local government changed, and Rotherham became one of four main areas in South Yorkshire.
In 2011, about 109,691 people lived in Rotherham. The whole borough of Rotherham is one of the most populated areas in England.
Contents
- Discovering Rotherham's Past
- Exploring Rotherham's Landmarks
- Learning in Rotherham
- How Rotherham is Governed
- Rotherham's Location and Surroundings
- Rotherham's People
- Culture and Fun in Rotherham
- Rotherham in Film and Art
- Sports in Rotherham
- Freedom of the Borough
- Notable People from Rotherham
- Rotherham's Twin Towns
- Images for kids
Discovering Rotherham's Past
Ancient Roots and Early Settlements
People lived in the Rotherham area during the Iron Age and Roman times. There was even a small Roman fort near the River Don. Rotherham started as a town very early in the Middle Ages. Its name means 'homestead on the Rother' in Old English. The River Rother's name comes from old Celtic words meaning 'main river'. Rotherham grew as a Saxon market town near a crossing point on the River Don.
By the end of the Saxon period, Rotherham was a central village with a large church area along the Don.
After the Normans took over England, a lord named Nigel Fossard controlled Rotherham. The Domesday Book, a very old survey, shows that he took over from a Saxon lord. Rotherham was a medium-sized manor with villagers, small farmers, a priest, and land for farming. It also had a church, meadows, woodlands, and a mill.
The De Vesci family, who took over after Fossard, didn't visit often. But they kept the Friday market and a yearly fair going. In the 1200s, the De Vesci family gave their Rotherham lands to Rufford Abbey. This helped the church grow richer. The monks collected taxes and got rights for an extra market day and a longer annual fair.
The people of Rotherham had a group called the "Greaves of Our Lady's Light." This group worked with the town's three guilds. It was stopped in 1547 but started again in 1584 as the feoffees of Rotherham's common land. This group still exists today.
In the 1480s, Thomas Rotherham, who was born in Rotherham and became the Archbishop of York, started building a College of Jesus. He wanted it to be as good as the colleges in Cambridge and Oxford. This was the first brick building in what is now South Yorkshire. It taught theology, religious songs, grammar, and writing.
The College and the new All Saints parish church made Rotherham a modern and important town around 1500. But the college was closed in 1547 during the reign of Edward VI. Its valuable items were taken by the crown. Not much of the original college building remains today. Some walls are inside other buildings on College Street and Effingham Street. These old brick walls are the oldest surviving brick structures in South Yorkshire. They show how important the college was to Rotherham's growth. Sixty years after the college closed, a rich visitor said Rotherham had changed from a fancy college town to a place with gambling and bad habits. Today, Thomas Rotherham College remembers the archbishop and the town's history of education.
Rotherham's Industrial Growth
People had been using iron in this area since Roman times. But it was coal that truly brought the Industrial Revolution to Rotherham. Mining coal led to improvements in the River Don, making it easier for boats to travel. This created the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation system of waterways.
In the early Industrial Revolution, there was a big demand for iron. Rotherham had good local ore and skilled workers to make strong iron. Iron, and later steel, became the main industries in Rotherham. They continued to be important into the 20th century. The Walker family built a huge iron and steel business in the 1700s. Their factories made high-quality cannon, including some for the famous ship HMS Victory. They also made cast iron bridges, one of which was designed by Thomas Paine.
Rotherham's cast iron industry grew very quickly in the early 1800s. The Effingham Ironworks, later called Yates, Haywood & Co, opened in 1820. Other big iron companies included William Corbitt and Co, George Wright and Co, and Parkgate Ironworks.
The Parkgate Ironworks started in 1823. In 1854, Samuel Beal & Co made iron plates for Isambard Kingdom Brunel's famous steamship, the SS Great Eastern. The ironworks changed hands several times and became the Park Gate Iron and Steel Company in 1888. It closed in 1974. The huge Steel, Peech and Tozer steelworks in Templeborough (now the Magna Science Adventure Centre) was over a mile long at its busiest. It employed 10,000 workers and made 1.8 million tonnes of steel a year. This operation closed in 1993.
Joseph Foljambe created a factory to make his Rotherham plough. This was the first iron plough that was sold successfully.
A glass factory started in Rotherham in 1751. It became Beatson Clark & Co, one of the town's biggest manufacturers. They sent glass medicine bottles all over the world. Beatson Clark & Co still makes glass containers for medicines, food, and drinks. In the 1800s, other successful businesses included pottery, making brass items, and cast iron fireplaces. Today, Rotherham has modern manufacturing companies like AESSEAL and Newburgh Engineering. The Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) is also located here.
Grinding grain into flour was another old industry in Rotherham, especially in the Millmoor area. This is why Rotherham United F.C.'s football team is nicknamed "The Millers." Flour milling continued at the Rank Hovis mill until 2008. Now, the site is used for storage and distribution.
The 2007 Floods
In the summer of 2007, Rotherham was hit by major floods. Roads, schools, and transport services had to close. Homes and businesses, including the Parkgate Shopping complex, were damaged. Ulley Reservoir caused a lot of worry when its dam showed signs of damage. Thousands of homes were evacuated because of the risk of the dam breaking. The M1 motorway was closed for three days. Firefighters and police used powerful pumps to lower the water level and ease pressure on the dam. The dam held, and the reservoir reopened in 2008.
To help prevent future floods, a new wetland and flood storage area called Centenary Washlands has been built. It is now managed as a local nature reserve.
Exploring Rotherham's Landmarks
The All Saints Minster is a very old and important building in the town. It is made of a special sandstone called Rotherham Red. The church has a low-pitched lead roof and is a Grade I listed building, meaning it's very important historically. A bell tower was added in 1501, and today the Minster has 13 bells. A church has been on this spot since before the Normans arrived. The current building is from the 1400s and includes parts from even older Saxon and Norman structures. Famous architects and artists worked on its beautiful stained-glass windows. The church has gargoyles and a tall, pointed spire with a golden weather vane. Some experts have called it one of the best churches of its style in the country.
Near the town centre is the 15th-century Chapel of Our Lady of Rotherham Bridge. It sits next to Chantry Bridge, which is a road bridge built in the 1930s. This chapel is one of only four bridge chapels left in England. Over time, it was used as the town jail and even a tobacconist's shop. It was restored in 1923.
Rotherham was once home to Jesus College, founded by Thomas Rotherham in the 1400s. You can still see some parts of the college buildings in the town centre. These are some of the oldest brick structures around, though you can't go inside them. The gate to the College of Jesus is in nearby Boston Park.
Boston Castle, located in Boston Park, was built as a hunting lodge between 1773 and 1774. It was built by Thomas Howard, 3rd Earl of Effingham, to show he was against Britain's efforts to stop the Americans in their fight for independence. It is named after Boston, Massachusetts, where the Boston Tea Party happened.
Built in the 1700s, Clifton House now holds the Clifton Park Museum.
On the edge of Rotherham, there's a brick-built glass making furnace called the Catcliffe Glass Cone. It's the oldest surviving structure of its kind in Western Europe and one of only four left in the United Kingdom. It was almost torn down in the 1960s but has been saved as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. It now stands near a housing complex and a path along the Rother valley.
The ruins of Roche Abbey, south of Maltby, are unusual because their walls are still multi-storey. Most other abbey ruins from that time are just foundations or one storey high, because they were destroyed in the 1530s.
Learning in Rotherham
Rotherham has three main colleges for further education. These are Thomas Rotherham College, Dearne Valley College, and the Rotherham College of Arts and Technology. The Rotherham College of Arts and Technology has a campus in the town centre and another in Dinnington. It also has a smaller campus for subjects like bricklaying.
How Rotherham is Governed
Rotherham is governed by one main local council: Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. This council is also part of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, which is led by the Mayor of South Yorkshire. Some areas outside the main town of Rotherham have their own smaller local councils called civil parishes.
Changes in Local Government
Rotherham used to be an ancient parish divided into eight smaller areas called townships. These townships became civil parishes in 1866.
In 1801, a group of people called improvement commissioners started to manage the Rotherham township. They were in charge of things like paving and lighting the streets. Later, in 1852, an elected local board took over, with more responsibilities like water supply and sewers.
In 1871, Rotherham became a municipal borough. In 1902, it became a county borough, meaning it took on more responsibilities from the larger county council.
In 1974, the county borough was replaced by the larger Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham. This new borough included other nearby towns and rural areas.
The Labour Party has generally been in control of the council since 1974. The way local councillors are elected in Rotherham changed in 2016. Now, all council seats are elected every four years, instead of some seats being elected every year. This change has led to some shifts in the local political scene. For example, in May 2021, the Conservatives gained many seats, even though Labour still controls the council.
Political Representation
The Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham includes three areas for the UK Parliament. The Rotherham (UK Parliament constituency) has been held by the Labour Party since 1933. The Wentworth and Dearne (UK Parliament constituency) has also been held by Labour since it was created in 1983. However, the Rother Valley (UK Parliament constituency) changed from Labour to Conservative in the 2019 General Election. This was the first time since 1931 that an MP from a party other than Labour was elected in the borough of Rotherham.
These areas in Rotherham are often seen as 'safe' for Labour. This means they usually have a large majority of votes for Labour. In 2012, after the previous MP resigned, Sarah Champion was elected as the Labour MP for Rotherham.
Rotherham's Location and Surroundings
Rotherham town sits on the slopes of two hills. The western hill leads up to Keppel's Column. The eastern hill, called Canklow Hill, has a public park called Boston Park. The River Rother flows between these hills, about 32 to 34 metres above sea level. The Canklow Hill Earthworks, an ancient site, is even higher.
Rotherham's town centre is in the valley between these hills, on the River Don. The town centre is less than half a mile north of where the Rother joins the Don. The Don Valley continues into other towns in the north of the borough.
Outside the town centre and the Don Valley, the Rotherham district is mostly countryside. It has quiet areas, large homes, some farms, and places for tourists. The beautiful Wentworth Woodhouse estate is here, where you can see the last remaining kiln of the Rockingham Pottery.
Besides roads and motorways, Sheffield is connected to Rotherham by the Trans-Pennine Trail. This trail passes the Meadowhall Shopping Centre between the two towns.
Rotherham Central railway station has frequent trains to Sheffield, taking about 14 minutes. You can also reach Manchester, Leeds, and York by train, though you might need to change trains. Doncaster has faster intercity trains.
- Some of the areas and neighbourhoods in Rotherham include
- Kimberworth
- Town Centre
- East Dene
- Masbrough
- Bradgate
- Deepdale
- Clifton
- Herringthorpe
- Brinsworth
- Catcliffe
- Waverley
- Dalton
- Dalton Magna
- Listerdale
- Wingfield
- Keppel
- Greasbrough
- Eastwood
- Wickersley
- Bramley
- Whiston
- Parkgate
- Aldwarke
- Rawmarsh
Rotherham's People
In 2011, the population of Rotherham town was 109,691. By 2014, it was about 110,550.
| Rotherham compared 2011 | Rotherham Urban Area | Rotherham (Borough) |
|---|---|---|
| White British | 85.6% | 91.9% |
| Asian | 8.3% | 4.1% |
| Black | 1.3% | 0.8% |
In 2011, about 14.4% of Rotherham's town population were from non-white backgrounds. This is higher than the 8.1% for the whole borough. Rotherham town has more than double the percentage of Asian people compared to the wider borough, and a slightly higher percentage of black people. Rotherham has a notable Pakistani community.
By 2021, the town of Rotherham's population grew to 129,897. The ethnic makeup was mostly White (86.1%), followed by Asian (9%), Mixed (1.7%), Black (1.5%), and other groups. In terms of religion, 49.2% were Christian, 40.1% had no religion, and 9.6% were Muslim. There are also smaller Hindu and Sikh communities.
Culture and Fun in Rotherham
Museums to Visit
The Magna Science Adventure Centre is a cool, interactive science centre built in an old steel factory in Templeborough. It's one of the most popular places to visit in the area.
Clifton Park Museum is a medium-sized museum located in Clifton Park. Entry is free!
Entertainment and Nightlife
The Civic Theatre and Arts Centre is in the town centre.
The Westgate area of the town centre is where Rotherham's nightlife happens.
In 2015, the old Three Cranes Inn on High Street reopened as an antiques shop. It closed in 2019 but then reopened as a micropub. The Three Cranes Inn is Rotherham's oldest non-religious building, dating back to 1470.
In 2019, work started on a new cinema, four restaurants, a public space, and a hotel on Forge Island. This project opened in 2024 after many years of planning.
Exciting Events
Rotherham hosts several public events throughout the year. Rotherham Rocks is a fashion show in July held in All Saints Square. Rotherham by the Sea in August transforms Clifton Park into a beach with sand, deckchairs, and other fun seaside attractions. The Rotherham Show is an annual event in September at Clifton Park, with stalls, shows, and live bands. The Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival at the Magna Centre is one of the UK's biggest beer festivals, usually lasting four days.
In 2016, Rotherham had its first carnival. The People's Parade included over 400 people in costumes, a Brazilian samba band, and many local groups. The parade led to a festival in the park with flags, rides, stalls, DJs, bands, and workshops.
In 2022, Rotherham hosted the UEFA Women's Championship football matches at the New York Stadium.
Starting in 2025, Rotherham will be the world’s first “Children’s Capital of Culture.”
Parks and Green Spaces
Clifton Park, in the town centre, is a large park with sports facilities. It has an outdoor paddling pool, a small fairground, and an adventure park. The park hosts big events every year, like the Rotherham Show and an annual fireworks display, which attract thousands of people.
Minster Gardens is a park in the heart of the town centre, right next to Rotherham Minster. It has an amphitheatre and space for outdoor events, with stepped seating, lawns, and a meadow area.
Music Scene
Rotherham has several Brass band clubs. It has also been home to many classic and progressive rock bands, like Jive Bunny, Bring Me the Horizon, The Reytons, and Morris Minor and the Majors.
Shopping Fun
Rotherham town centre has various chain stores. Since 2009, many new independent businesses have opened, thanks to "Vitality Grants." In 2015, Rotherham won the Great British High Street award for its independent shops. Judges praised how key buildings were improved and the "historic core" was restored. A plaque celebrating the award was unveiled in September 2016. By 2021, Rotherham's retail scene had a thriving independent sector with many new businesses. However, because Sheffield City Centre, Meadowhall shopping centre, and Parkgate Retail Park are so close, Rotherham has found it hard to attract major brands.
Local Media
Rotherham’s local radio station is Redroad FM on 102.4 FM, which is a community-based station.
The Rotherham Advertiser is the town's local newspaper.
Rotherham in Film and Art
Filmed in Rotherham
| Film name | Scenes portrayed | Locations used | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|
| King Ralph (1991) | Miranda's mum's house in England. Allotments. | Dalton (scene buildings redeveloped since) | Comedy |
| I.D. (1995) | Centenary Market, Rotherham | As in reality | Police drama |
| When Saturday Comes (1996) | Outdoor scenes in 'Sheffield' | Outdoor scenes in Rotherham | Football and underdog drama |
| Brassed Off (1996) | Close-to-home concerts and parades for musicians | Rotherham town centre and district | Music-themed tragedy |
| Five Pillars (2013) | Opening credits sequence, school fight scene | Rotherham Bus Station, Eastwood, Wickersley | Social realist drama |
Chef and writer Jamie Oliver's TV show Jamie's Ministry of Food (2008) was based in Rotherham. He wanted to make Rotherham "the culinary capital of the United Kingdom" by teaching groups how to cook.
The Arctic Monkeys' song "Fake Tales of San Francisco" includes the line: "Yeah I'd love to tell you all my problem. You're not from New York City, you're from Rotherham".
The 2013 film Five Pillars was mostly set and filmed in Rotherham. The writer and director of the film are also from Rotherham.
Sports in Rotherham
Football Fun
In the 2022–23 season, Rotherham's main association football team, Rotherham United, played in the EFL Championship. This is the second-highest level of English Football. The team plays at the New York Stadium. In the past, the town was represented by other teams like Rotherham Town and Rotherham County.
Rugby Action
The Rotherham Titans rugby union team reached the top league, the Guinness Premiership, in 1999 and 2003 before moving down a league. The club plays at the Clifton Lane Sports Ground. The town also has a rugby league team called the Rotherham Giants.
Cricket Matches
Rotherham Town Cricket Club is an English amateur cricket club that started in 1846. Their home ground is on Clifton Lane. The club has two senior teams that play in the Yorkshire Cricket Southern Premier League. They also have a junior section that plays in the Sheffield and District Junior League.
Motor Racing Excitement
The former Formula One team Virgin Racing was based in Dinnington in the borough. IndyCar driver Justin Wilson was from Woodall, which is in the Rotherham area. Motorcycle speedway racing also took place in the town around 1930.
Greyhound Racing History
Three greyhound racing tracks used to be in or near Rotherham. These were Rotherham Greyhound Stadium (1933-1974), one near Millmoor (1930-1933), and one in Hellaby. These tracks were independent, meaning they weren't part of the main racing organization.
Famous Sports People
Many famous sports people come from Rotherham. These include hurdler Chris Rawlinson, Olympic gold medallist sailor Paul Goodison, Olympic silver medallist runner Peter Elliott, former England football goalkeeper David Seaman, golfer Danny Willett, and 2010 FIFA World Cup Final referee Howard Webb.
Freedom of the Borough
On August 3, 2009, Rotherham became the first town to give the Freedom of the Borough to the Yorkshire Regiment. This special honour allows the regiment to march through the town with "flags flying, bands playing and bayonets fixed." During a ceremony outside the Town Hall, soldiers from the regiment, who had recently returned from Iraq, paraded. The Mayor of Rotherham, Councillor Shaukat Ali, presented the Freedom Scroll to Colonel Simon Newton, who accepted the honour for the regiment. The Yorkshire Regiment is the only military unit to have this special honour in Rotherham.
Notable People from Rotherham
Rotherham is the hometown of the Chuckle Brothers, famous comedians. Other notable people include Manchester City and England football player Jess Park. Football managers like Herbert Chapman (born in Kiveton Park, now part of Rotherham) and famous players like Arsenal and England goalkeeper David Seaman are also from here. World Cup referee Howard Webb is from Rotherham too.
Actor Sean Bean started his acting career in Rotherham. Other actors like Liz White, Ryan Sampson, Dean Andrews, and Darrell D'Silva also come from Rotherham. Former leader of the Conservative Party, William Hague, and engineer Sir Donald Coleman Bailey are from Rotherham. Presenter James May grew up in Rotherham, and his former co-presenter Jeremy Clarkson trained as a journalist at the Rotherham Advertiser.
Comedians Sandy Powell and Duggie Brown were born in Rotherham, as was actress Lynne Perrie. Musician Christopher Wolstenholme from the band Muse, DJ Kritikal Mass, actor Dean Andrews from Life on Mars, artist Margaret Clarkson, the band Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers, musician Rebecca Taylor, and singer-actor Rob McVeigh were all born or mostly raised in Rotherham.
Rotherham's Twin Towns
Rotherham has an official twin town:
- Saint-Quentin, Aisne, France
Partner Towns
Rotherham also has three partner towns:
- Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Riesa, Germany
- Zabrze, Poland
Images for kids
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Ulley reservoir between Ulley and Aughton is in the south of the district.
