I read another blog post which started, "There comes a time in everyone's life, when one simply must go to Rotherham." And I thought that was such a good first line that I've nicked it.
I had not, it is true, previously given much consideration to going to Rotherham. Then I worked out that Sheffield Cathedral and Rotherham Minster were not far apart, and the train ride from Derby was reasonably cheap. Moreover, my cousin Vicky lives in the area and I could pay her a long-overdue visit. Great, I thought, I'll schedule a trip in a few weeks' time.
On Friday morning I looked at Rotherham Minster website and discovered that the church isn't usually open on Saturdays, but there was a Community Day the very next day. A bit of hasty texting later, and I had a plan: Rotherham Minster in the morning, Sheffield Cathedral in the afternoon, and Vicky would meet me in Sheffield city centre after that.
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| Rotherham Minster |
The train to Sheffield was busy but uneventful. A short walk took me to Fitzalan Square where I got on an excitingly named Supertram tram-train to Rotherham. We rumbled through the suburbs of the city, pausing somewhere beneath the M1 to shift from tram mode to train mode. Whatever that actually involves. The tram-train pulled into its own low-level platform at Rotherham Central station.
It was raining. I knew coming to Yorkshire without a coat was optimistic. Still, the minster wasn't far - I could see it from the station.
My first task when I reached the minster was to sign up for the bell chamber tour. A harassed lady was attempting to organise the unexpectedly large number of people trying to do likewise. They'd already arranged an extra tour, and I was first on the waiting list after that. While I waited for my fate to be decided, I had a look around.
The minster had a pleasantly lived-in feel. A shopping bag dumped casually on the carved stone sedilia. An ornate font cover tucked in a corner with some music stands. The vicar welcoming everyone at the door. And, because it was a community day, stalls were slotted into every available spot, and morris dancers were performing underneath the tower.
As I was enjoying a scone and jam, a voice called my name. "Are you Martha? Yes? We've got you on to the 12:30 tour." At the appointed time, a group of us walked around the outside of the cathedral to find the bell tower entrance. The stairs had been rejigged when an extension was built, so what was once a standard spiral staircase was now a walk along a concrete corridor, mind your head under a beam, climb the ladder and be careful at the top, up the spiral stairs, and step sideways into the ringing chamber.
We had an explanation of the mechanics of bellringing, then were given ear protection to wear as we ascended to the bell chamber. A ring of bells is a particularly awe-inspiring sight - and sound.
I'd kind of assumed that we would get a view over the town. But Rotherham Minster has a spire, not a flat tower. You could see over some of the roof from the ringing chamber.
Back at ground level, I had one more look around the church, admiring the old Snetzler organ, with its reversed-coloured keys, the spectacular roof decorated with gold bosses, and the carved sandstone font.
I had time for a short walk around the area. The sun had come out and the council was making determined efforts to regenerate. There were benches and flowerbeds, a new development on Forge Island, and an art deco cinema under restoration. However, it all seemed oddly quiet for a Saturday lunchtime.
Taking a quick snap of the Chapel on the Bridge on the way back to the station, I hopped onto the tram-train again. We pulled into the Cathedral stop just as the clock was chiming two. But you'll have to wait until another post to hear about Sheffield Cathedral.
Rotherham Minster 13 June 2026
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