The South Yorkshire Transport Museum is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization located in Rotherham that is open on the second Sunday of every month. The museum displays historic vehicles like cars, buses, and trams, and offers vintage bus rides on its open days.

Visitor information

Address: 9 Waddington Way, Aldwarke, Rotherham S65 3SH.

Next open day: Sunday, November 9, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m..

2025 upcoming open day: Sunday, December 14, for the Winter Wonderland event.

Admission: Adults £7.00, Senior Citizen/Concessions £5.00, accompanied children (under 16) FREE.

Website: sytm.co.uk.

Exhibits and features

Vehicle collection: The museum houses a wide range of vehicles, including classic cars, buses, lorries, and bicycles. A Class 76 electric locomotive and a restored 1935 Leyland Tiger bus are notable exhibits.

Volunteer-led restoration: Many of the vehicles have been painstakingly restored by the museum's volunteers, and visitors can sometimes see renovation work in progress.

The River Don flows through the urban centre of Rotherham, passing landmarks such as the historic Chantry Chapel on the Bridge, Forge Island, and Centenary Riverside Nature Reserve. It is a significant waterway in the town's landscape and industrial heritage, forming part of the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation.

Key Details in Rotherham

Course and Navigation: The river runs through the Don Valley via Rotherham, Mexborough, and Doncaster, eventually joining the River Ouse. In the Rotherham area, parts of the river are canalized (known as the River Don Navigation) to allow for boat traffic, with locks at locations such as Holmes and Ickles. This navigation was historically upgraded to accommodate large Eurobarges up to Rotherham, though this potential for commercial freight has not been fully realized.

Confluence with the River Rother: The River Don and its major tributary, the River Rother, meet in Rotherham town centre.

Landmarks:

Chantry Chapel: One notable landmark in the town centre is the Chapel of Our Lady on the Bridge (also known as Chantry Bridge), which dates from about 1483 and is one of only three complete bridge chapels in Britain.

Centenary Riverside Nature Reserve: This nature reserve is located along the river at Riverside Way, an area used for conservation and recreation.

Forge Island: This area in the town centre, previously the site of an iron works, is now a prominent location adjacent to the river and the navigation, where a footbridge provides access to the court house. The New York Stadium, home to Rotherham United, is also located near the river.

Recreation and Environment: The river and its surrounding area offer opportunities for walking, cycling, and other recreational activities. Volunteer days are held at Centenary Riverside Nature Reserve to help with conservation efforts. Efforts have been made to improve water quality, which has led to a return of fish stocks, including barbel and even salmon sightings in the lower reaches.

Flood Risk: The River Don has a history of flooding, with significant events occurring in 2007 and 2019. Flood warning areas exist for the river at Rotherham Central, Templeborough, and Ickles.