retiredmartin

July 2026. Rotherham.

Visiting Dad yesterday a long-term aquaintance said to me “You must enjoy sitting around relaxing at home“. I was speechless.

I’m aware some folk do like spending time at home, but 4 years after completing the Beer Guide I’m still not one of them. More than a day in Sheffield and I need to move, to see something new, or I may explode.

Even if that something is the suburbs of Rotherham in 30 degree heat.

A tram to Meadowhall South, and then a long, long, walk through industrial Tinsley to the “logistics” depots of Templeborough.

Rotherham has been shortlisted as a UK Town of Culture 2028, presumably for cutting-edge museums like MAGNA,

buts it’s the uplifting messages of hope you really come for.

MAGNA has just got a stop on the tram line, though most folk seem to determined to park a mile away in the industrial estate rather than walk the 2 minutes from the new station. The big attraction at the old Steel, Peech and Tozer steelworks is actually the splash park outside, though CAMRA also had a go at selling “beers you’ve never heard of and will never see again” at the Winter Beer Fest last year.

My target, apart from making a half litre bottle of water last the afternoon, was the view from Boston Castle,

the highest point in town (up a very steep street through the cemetery). A lovely volunteer pointed out the old (Millmoor) and new (New York) football grounds almost side by side, and refilled my water bottle.

I’ve been quite an advocate for Rotherham’s charms over the years. No, really. But it’s no longer a great pub town. I only passed a Hungry Horse in the first 3 miles of walking, and the centre of town is propped up by Chantry classics and a top Spoons.

In the many suburbs, it’s Sizzlin’ Pubs, golf courses and shop precinct micros.

Newish Roadhouse Bar & Bottles in Broom is well hidden,

but someone had spotted Bass there last month.

Sadly, Roadhouse rotates its beers, which is no good for Bass disciples, though I reckon the cask range would attract GBG interest, and they sold a fair bit of decent cask while I was there.

Across the road, the Dragon’s Tap in into a 9th year, a perennial in the GBG,

and was performing that key societal role of hosting an 18th birthday party.

I’m not kidding. Where can folk across the ages meet casually these days and give presents ?

Good local beer from Chantry, something to make Rotherham proud,

Town of Culture or not.

I met the Chuckle Brothers, you know. A life highlight.