9 South Yorkshire places of interest
There are some great places in the area
South Yorkshire is full of weird and wonderful places to explore with the family. We’ve put together a list of the county’s best places of interest for you to visit in 2019. How many have you already visited?
Roche Abbey, Rotherham
Set in a peaceful and picturesque wooded valley, Roche Abbey was founded in 1147 with stonework dating back to around the 1180s. Capability Brown landscaped the area in the 18th Century and it now boasts the most complete foundations of any Cistercian monastery in the country. The woodland walks around the area are great for exploring with the family and taking in the beautiful sights.
Sheffield Police Box
With not many being found today, Sheffield police box is definitely worth hunting down. It is a lovely historic gem of time gone by so get your camera ready to snap a shot of it in Sheffield City Centre. Once you've finished, head on down to the Town Hall by the Peace Gardens and take in the fantastic architecture.
Sheffield Manor Lodge
Once home of the Earl of Shrewsbury and Bess of Hardwich and prison of Mary Queen of Scots, the Turret House and grounds of Sheffield Manor Lodge can be explored along with the 1940s cottages, café and farm which reopens in 2019. You'll be able to discover wildflower meadows, the apothecary garden and lavender labyrinth.
Brodsworth Hall in Doncaster
Catch a glimpse of Victorian life at this 'conserved as found' country house. It was built and the pleasure gardens laid out, in the 1860s, as an up-to-date new home for the Thellusson family and their servants. It survived with remarkably few changes until taken on by English Heritage in 1990. Wander the many rooms of the house, roam the gorgeous gardens, stop for tea and cake in the tearoom if you get a little peckish, and discover the recently restored game larder.
See how to other half lived at the Mansion House in Doncaster
Doncaster's elegant Mansion House, a focus for civic pride, has dominated the High Street for over two hundred and fifty years. The Grade 1 listed Mansion House was built between 1745-9 and is one of only four surviving civic Mansion Houses in the country. This wonderful piece of architecture can be found in the heart of Doncaster and there is always something new that you notice every time you visit.
Hoober Stand in Rotherham
This Grade II listed building is a 30-metre-high tower on a ridge in Wentworth in Rotherham. Designed by Henry Flitcroft for the Early of Malton, it lies close to his country seat Wentworth Woodhouse. Those not afraid of heights can climb to the top of the building to see the magnificent rolling hills on a clear day.
Get creative at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Located just outside Barnsley, Yorkshire Sculpture Park is an open-air gallery in West Bretton, showing work by British and international artists, including Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth. The park's collection of works by Moore is one of the largest open-air displays of his bronzes in Europe. In 500 acres of beautiful landscape, children are free to play and explore around the sculptures. Indoor galleries have family friendly activities to support your visit to the exhibition. On a finer day, why not take a picnic to enjoy beside some of the fantastic art?
Escape to the country at Wentworth Village
This lovely, quaint rural village between Rotherham and Barnsley is full of character, featuring Wentworth Woodhouse which is the largest privately owned house in the UK. You can visit the house via organised tours, have a pleasant walk into the grounds to see the outside views and the deer herd without charge. There's also two country pubs serving food all day and the garden centre which is a great place to take the family.
Monk Bretton Priory, Barnsley
On the edge of Barnsley stands the substantial remains of Monk Bretton Priory, a Cluniac monastery founded in the 12th century. Today visitors can see the unusually well-marked ground plan, the almost complete west range and the 15th century gatehouse. Surrounded by plenty of grassland, it’s also a great place to have a picnic with the family when the weather gets warmer or to have a nice run around with the dog.
All these places are well worth a visit if you’re at a loose end and they all have free attractions! Where do you love to explore? Let us know on Facebook and we’ll add it to the list.
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