Activities in Rotherham

Whether it’s a family day out on the flumes, an early morning yoga class, a glutes-session at the gym, or a morning of soft play, Rotherham Leisure Complex has you covered. A large, modern sports centre, the family-friendly pool is the main draw with a flume, kids’ pool and 25m adult pool while they also put a range of fitness classes, have squash and badminton courts, and a large gym with dozens of exercise bikes. Open daily, the complex also has a cafe and decent soft play zone, perfect for under fives.

Housed in a disused steel mill, Magna invites the whole family to embark on a hands-on science adventure. Explore the four pavilions, which focus on the different elements; Air, Earth, Water and Fire with more than 100 different interactive exhibits, from diggers to fire tornados.

Alongside this, The Big Melt show runs regularly throughout the day, bringing the steel making process to life through a tremendous audio and pyrotechnic display. If you want to discover more about the history and heritage of the steelworks site, then you can check out the Steelos Gallery, listen to interactive kiosks or request a free Steel Tour from reception.

When the sun is shining, head outside and make a splash in the Aqua-Tek outdoor water adventure park, or opt to stay dry in the Sci-Tek playground. Afterwards, you can refuel in the on-site café after a day of educational fun.

If you prefer to spend your days teeing off, then you’ll find some of the county’s finest historic parkland waiting for you at the Rotherham Golf Club. Beautifully maintained, the tree-lined course is set in Thrybergh Park and measures in at 6,378 yards off the white tees, with a par of 70. It is the only club in England to have a US Masters Winner as a member, with local lad Danny Willett picking up the famous green jacket in 2016.

Visitors are welcome at the course throughout the week, with booking available online or via the pro shop. Green fees are reasonable and after you’ve indulged in a bit of healthy competition, you can unwind in the stunning neo-Gothic clubhouse, which comes complete with a well-stocked bar, delectable catering and Sky TV screenings in the Danny Willett lounge.

You can literally jump, hop and skip your way around Jump INCflated in Parkgate. Suitable for all ages, the inflatable obstacle course measures in at an astonishing 30,000 square feet and is filled with a variety of obstacle courses to keep you on your toes. You can test your shooting skills in basketball and football zones, dive into the ball pool, take a leap in the free fall area or get the little ones involved in the dedicated toddler area. It’s a family-friendly activity that will put a spring in your step.

Right in the heart of Rotherham, Clifton Park has all the essential ingredients for a great day out. For starters, its sprawling parks and gardens are a colourful sight to behold, home to a diverse range of flowers, fruits and vegetables. If your little ones don’t fancy staring at the flora all day though, they can head to the biggest free play park in all of Yorkshire, or make use of one of the park’s sports facilities, which includes football pitches, tennis courts and a skate park.

In the summer, you can refresh at the Water Splash park and if the weather takes a turn, you can head inside to the museum where you’ll find a number of exciting interactive exhibits exploring the history of the town. And after all that, you can rest your tired feet by taking a ride on the Clifton Express Land Train before tucking into a bite to eat at the onsite Granary Café. Plus, it’s less than a ten minute drive from our Rotherham hotel.

For something a touch more serene, the Grade II listed ruins of Roche Abbey make for a captivating sight. Set in a stunning valley – which was lovingly landscaped by Capability Brown – it dates all the way back to the 12th century. Once serving as an English Cistercian monastery and housing 100 lay brothers and 50 monks, the abbey now stands as one of the most complete ground plans of its kind and a wonderful example of early Gothic architecture.

Thrybergh Country Park’s two-mile lakeside footpath is the perfect spot for rambling around in the sunshine. There’s a lot more to this beautiful setting than just dazzling waters and awe-inspiring countryside views, though. In addition to walking, fishing and birdwatching, visitors will also find indoor and outdoor play areas, alongside an onsite café and ice cream parlour.

Documenting the history and heritage of the county’s transport, the South Yorkshire Transport Museum features a varied selection of around 50 vehicles, including buses, cars and even a tramcar body. Located on Waddington Way, the museum is open on the second Sunday of each month, with admission costing just a few pounds.

A short hop, skip and a jump from the Parkgate Centre, Simply Skate is a large inline skating centre with two rinks, regular hockey games and an on-site bar and café. As well as free skate and family sessions, they offer full equipment hire and lessons and also have a small soft play area and viewing area for parents.

With 24 lanes, classic arcade games, pool tables and a well-stocked bar and fast food café, Superbowl Rotherham is more than just a bowling alley. And thanks to a recent refit including new lanes, bumpers and hi-definition screens, it now offers great value for money and a new modern look and feel including in-lane cameras.