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Rotherham Tourist Guide

Rotherham tourist guide

Rotherham is a South Yorkshire town with a population of almost 250,000; and
it is the principle town in a borough that is 70% rural.

Surrounded by historical villages and woodlands, numerous historical
sites and ancient monuments, the town centre is a bustling shopping
district, with three recommended restaurants and a superclub. There is
an impressive range of sporting and leisure facilities, with exciting
days out for the family only a short distance from the interchange.

A significant amount of funding is coming in to Rotherham, and plans to
renovate the main market and shopping streets are currently being drawn
up. The town is well connected by transport links, and within easy
reach of Meadowhall, Sheffield and Doncaster.

History

Rotherham began its transition to a busy market town during the Saxon era; and
earned a reputation as a modern and fashionable town with the creation
of a college to rival those of Oxbridge. The town's fortunes dipped
during the sixteenth century, until coal seams were discovered in the
area that provided employment for thousands of men. Steel and iron also
provided work, and Templeborough steelworks alone employed 10,000 men.

Clifton Park Museum has been nominated for 'Museum of the Year' on two
occasions, and documents the social history of the area. The York and
Lancaster Regimental Museum has exhibits from the last 200 years of
military history. The Magna Science Adventure Centre is housed in the
old Templeborough steelworks, and explores industrial history in the
area.

Art Galleries

Rotherham Art Gallery is located in Rotherham Arts Centre and comprises three
exhibition spaces. The gallery showcases large and small collections,
with space available to hire by local artists and a regularly
alternating programme of temporary exhibitions. Included in the
permanent collection are Victorian paintings, photographs and Modern
Art.

Rotherham College of Art frequently hosts exhibitions of its students'
work, and there are numerous art competitions aimed at artists
(including young people) who live Click here in and around the area.

Theatres

Rotherham Arts Centre comprises a small, 200-seater theatre that regularly
hosts small-scale drama productions of touring shows. Large-scale
productions are rarely shown, but previous shows have received critical
acclaim and proved popular with theatregoers.

Rotherham Civic Theatre is based in a desanctified church, and has been
open since 1960. The theatre stages a programme of professional and
amateur shows, with an ever-popular annual Christmas pantomime.

There are a variety of dance and drama schools in the area, and
Rotherham Youth Theatre stages regular performances at Rotherham Arts
Centre. There is an annual production by Rotherham College of Arts and
Technology.