Clifton House
Rotherham Museum is an 18th Century house, Clifton House, designed by John Carr and built for Joshua Walker in 1783/84. The design was in the Palladian style popular at the time, drawing on Greek and Roman influences. There is a very good view across Rotherham from here. Set in a 70 acre estate which is similar to the present day Clifton Park (there was also a paddock on the other side of Clifton Lane which is now housing), the house had a servants' wing, stables, icehouse, formal and kitchen gardens. Only the house and part of the servants' quarters remain.
The Walker family owned the property until 1864 when it was purchased by local industrialist William Owen. After William Owen died in 1891 the Municipal Borough of Rotherham (now Rotherham Council) purchased the house and the estate for £25,000. The park was opened to the public in 1891 and the Museum in 1893. Clifton House is a Grade II listed building.