The
Unofficial Website
Clifton Park Museum
aka Rotherham Museum
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 to 1864 when it was purchased by local industrialist William Owen. After William Owen died Rotherham Council purchased the estate. The park was opened to the public in 1891 and the Museum in 1893. The Museum is a Grade II listed building.
The Museum was closed for refurbishment at Christmas 2002 following receipt of grants of about £3million from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other supporters including Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Foyle Foundation, WREN (Waste Recycling and Environment Ltd) and the Friends of Clifton Park. Just in time I understand as the Health and Safety Executive were considering shutting the first floor as the strength of the floors was seriously compromised. After an extensive programme including rewiring, new heating, new roof, floor strengthening, restoration of windows and stonework, alteration and redecoration the Museum reopened its doors to the non-paying public on 29 January 2005.
For more information about the Park visit onsite at Recreation in Rotherham >> Parks >> Urban Parks >> Clifton Park.
Museum Exhibits & Facilities
- The Geology, Archaeology and History of Rotherham with storyboards, interactive displays and yes - museum exhibits
- Lions' Den with Nelson the Rotherham Lion - Children's' Play area
- The Library containing some of the miscellaneous articles donated to the museum over the years
- The Dining Room set out with a dinner with the Walker Family
- The Drawing Room contains more information about the Walker Family and their importance in the development of Rotherham
- The Kitchen with restored stove and display of kitchenalia
- Two Rockingham Galleries
- A resources room for archive and local studies
- Galleries looking at the history and development of Rotherham up to the Twentieth century
- Full disabled access including a lift
- The Granary Cafe with terrace overlooking the garden in summer. Cafe reopened January 2008
- Gift shop with craft display by local craftspeople
- Toilets and Baby changing
- Meeting Room
- Exhibition and Events Programme
- Museum available for hire for your special event
Projects run by Clifton Park Museum
- School Loans Collection - the Museum lends artefacts as project material to local schools
- Rotherham Voices - A project to record the various histories of Rotherhamites
- The keeping of records about present times for future generations
Clifton Park Museum Events
Clifton Park Museum holds a wide variety of events from talks, family fun days, museum trails, workshops and cooking with the Kitchen Rangers. Contact the Museum for full details.
Contact Details & Opening Times
Contact:-
Clifton Park Museum, Clifton Lane, Rotherham, S65 2AA. Tel. 01709 336633. Email cliftonparkmuseumatrotherham.gov.uk (remember to replace at with @). Visit their website at www.Rotherham.gov.uk Keyword: Museum.
2005 Principal Officer Museums Galleries and Heritage - Steve Blackbourn Tel. 01709 336623 Email steve.blackbournatrotherham.gov.uk (remember to replace at with @).
Senior Museums Officer - Rachel Reynolds Tel. 01709 336623 Email rachel.reynoldsatrotherham.gov.uk (remember to replace at with @).
Curator - Alison Duce.
Friends of Clifton Park - Awaiting new details.
Monday - Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 1.30 - 4.30pm Free entry. Car parking charges from summer 2007.