Discover Rotherham, South Yorkshire

Rotherham Town Hall: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rotherham_Town_Hall.jpg
Author: Paul Eggleston


Rotherham is a major town in South Yorkshire, England. It is also the main town and administrative center of the Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham. Rotherham is located on the River Rother, where it flows into the River Don. It has a population of around 120,000 people (2012 estimate).

Human habitation in the Rotherham area can be traced back to the Iron Age. The Romans had a road passing through the area across the River Don. After the Romans withdrew, Saxons took over the area, and under Saxon ruyle, a settlement was established. Over time, it grew into a market town on both sides of the River Don.

After Norman Conquest, Rotherham came under the ownership of Nigel Fossard, an absentee lord. It passed to the De Vesci and de Tili families, before being granted to the Rufford Abbey, which collected tithes from the town. Rotherham was granted a market charter in the 13th century. This enabled it to hold a market day on Mondays and a three-day annual fair.

In the 1480s, the Archbishop of York, Thomas Rotherham, who was born in Rotherham, established The College of Jesus, a competitor college to Cambridge and Oxford. It was the first brick building in South Yorkshire. Along with the All Saints' Church, the college made Rotherham stand out above other towns in the region.

All Saints' Church, Rotherham: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:All_Saints%27_church_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1138586.jpg
Author: Richard Croft


By the 16th century, Rotherham had sunk from its lofty standing as college town, to become a den for gambling and vice. The College of Jesus, Rotherham, was dissolved in 1547 when King Edward VI stripped it of its assets.

The fortunes of Rotherham reversed with the Industrial Revolution. Iron produced by Rotherham was much sought after for its strength. The Walker family built iron and steel foundries in Rotherham to supply the British army with high quality cannons and other armaments.

Today Rotherham continues to be a major advanced manufacturing center in the United Kingdom. Its steel works produce high quality steel for the automotive industry, including the Formula One racing cars as well as the Airbus 380. Its town center, which was badly affected by flood in 2007, is now undergoing an urban regeneration program.

Magna Science Adventure Centre, Rotherham: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%27Magna%27_-_geograph.org.uk_-_902309.jpg
Author: RRRR NNNN

Visiting Rotherham

From London, take the M1 motorway to Junction 33, then head north on the A630 road to reach Rotherham.

Places of Interest in Rotherham

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