If you have a little wait before the Tram Train is due, there are a choice of pubs near the Cathedral tram stop including the Church House, Three Tuns, Cavells, Bankers Draft and Dove & Rainbow. Once on your way, here are the stops and pubs to know about!
Attercliffe tram stop
If you enjoy modern craft beers, alight here for a short walk to the Brewery of St Mars of the Desert, which has a tap room that opens most weekends showcasing their beer, run by the friendly Dann and Martha who are always happy to talk beer and impromptu brewery tours are not unknown!
Valley Centertainment tram stop
Walk through the complex onto the main road and you will stumble across a classic pub, the Wentworth House offering a selection of real ales, they also have a dining room serving food at meal times.
Next door and across the road from the Arena is the Eighteen Ten, this is a more modern food led chain pub owned by Marstons Brewery under the “Grill & Pizza” banner.
Meadowhall South tram stop
Enter the Meadowhall shopping centre across the road and head for the Oasis dining quarter where you will find a Wetherspoons pub, the Steel Foundry.
Rotherham Central station
Turn right out of the station and this will take you into the town centre for a choice of real ale outlets:
Bridge Inn: The original home of Rotherham CAMRA, the pub reverted to its original name after a spell as Nellie Denes. It is an Old Mill tied house, originally built for the Mappin Brewery, opposite, in 1930 using stone from the original Bridge Inn, which dated back to the 1700s. up to five real ales are on the bar and the guest ales are usually from local breweries. There is live music most Saturday evenings and karaoke on Thursday and Friday evenings. Upstairs, two function rooms are used by local groups. The nearby Chantry Bridge has one of only three Bridge Chapels still existing. Opening hours may vary, and may extend if there is a function on. Will only open on Sunday for special occasions. Changed manager in 2018. There is a wall mural by Phil Padfield in the outside yard area that was done for the 125th anniversary of Arthur Wharton’s signing for Rotherham Town FC. Arthur was the first professional black player in the UK.
Three Cranes: The oldest secular building in Rotherham town centre, originally built as a town house in 1470. With Tudor and Victorian additions it later became the Three Cranes Inn public house and operated as such until 1907, when the licence was surrended. It was used as various shops until it fell into disrepair in recent times. It was bought by Chris Hamby in 2011 and restored and reopened as Hamby’s Antiques shop in 2015. Following closure in May 2019, it was refurbished and reopened as a pub again on the 10th of August. Though called a micropub, it is on two levels. The Heritage rooms on the two upper floors have the most period features but but can only be viewed by agreement. As well as four real ales, there are also several craft keg beers and real ciders on sale. Real ales may be sourced locally and from further afield.
Bluecoat: Former charity school, opened in 1776 by the Ffeofees of Rotherham. Became a pub named Ffeofees in 1981 and a Wetherspoon‘s in 2001. The selection of up to ten hand pulled beers is listed on a screen at the end of the bar and those from local microbreweries are favoured. Three real ciders or perries are served from boxes behind the bar. The pub commissions a specially brewed beer four times a year. There is a quiz on Wednesday evenings. A Good Beer Guide regular, local CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year five times and winner of several other CAMRA awards.
Cutlers Arms: Originally dated 1825, the pub was rebuilt for Stones Brewery of Sheffield in 1907. Architect R. Wigfull was responsible for the impressive façade and other features. It was faced with demolition in the early 2000’s but was saved following statutory listing in 2004. Following a period of closure it was newly restored to its original Edwardian splendour by Chantry Brewery, reopening in February 2014. It retains some of the original art nouveau windows, tiling and original curved bar counter with elegant dividing screen. Local craftsmen were employed on the restoration. Offering a full range of Chantry beers, guest ales, two real ciders and quality craft beers on tap. Live music is on every Saturday evening, Sunday afternoon and most Fridays. Featured in CAMRA’s National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors
New York Tavern: A pub since 1856, it was re-opened by a team from Chantry Brewery in Sept 2013 and has been fully refurbished as a real ale led pub. At least six Chantry beers are available and two real ciders or perries on hand pump, all at very competitive prices. A large selection of foreign bottled beers and, unusually, snuff is available. Pickled eggs are also available. Originally the Prince Of Wales Feathers, it was renamed after the old name for the area and a pub demolished when the nearby ring road was built. Handy for the New York football stadium and Rotherham United memorabilia is displayed. The Jukebox has an eclectic selection of music.
Parkgate tram train terminus
The tram will deposit you behind the huge retail park which you will need to walk through onto the main road and then turn right.
Chantry Brewery: A couple of minutes walk up the main road and on the left, on a small industrial estate, you will find Chantry Brewery, which now boasts a tap room on the mezzanine level, which opens Thursday to Saturday, offering the opportunity to enjoy their beer at source! Note some Friday evenings the brewery hosts ticket only live music gigs.
Little Haven: A bit further up the main road, beyond the roundabout, is this friendly little micropub offering a choice of real ales (usually from a local brewery) and bar snacks. It also hosts events such as quiz nights and live entertainment from time to time.
Onward by bus
If you aren’t ready to get the tram back yet, bus 22X towards Barnsley can be boarded in Parkgate, along the route there is Something Brew Inn at Rawmarsh, the award winning Wath Tap micropub in Wath on Dearne and the Anglers Rest (Geeves brewery’s tap pub) at Wombwell to visit as well as a choice of venues in Barnsley town centre. Buses (2 or X17) and trains are available from Barnsley Interchange to Sheffield or alternatively return to Rotherham for the tram.
Travel tickets
Tram Only Dayrider – offers unlimited travel on Supertram services including tram train.
Stagecoach Dayrider Silver – offers unlimited travel on Stagecoach buses and Supertram in South Yorkshire and Chesterfield
South Yorkshire Connect – offers unlimited travel on all buses and trams in South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire Connect+ – offers unlimited travel on all buses, trams and local trains in South Yorkshire.
For more information on the above travel tickets including prices visit stagecoachbus.com or sytravelmaster.com respectively.