A Walk Down Moorgate in Rotherham

 

The old Vestry Offices on Moorgate Street

Having had a good look at the Rotherham Red sandstone in the old quarries in Canklow Wood and Boston Park, I started off on my walk back to Rotherham and stopped briefly at Moorgate Cemetery, to look at a few architectural details on the lodges and adjoining walls.

 

The lodges at Moorgate Cemetery

 

Arriving at Moorgate Road, I carried on down towards Rotherham town centre, passing a few substantial houses built in Rotherham Red sandstone and went down the driveway of Moorgate Hall, a substantial Grade II* Listed C17 house, to get a couple of photos.

 

Moorgate Hall

Moorgate is an affluent area of Rotherham and, although not listed, there are several large Victorian houses that have architectural interest, for the use of various materials other than Rotherham Red sandstone – including No. 25 Moorgate Road, where Permian dolomitic limestone has been used for the dressings.

 

Dolomitic limestone dressings at No. 25 Moorgate Road

Carrying on down to Moorgate Street, I briefly paused outside Rotherham Town Hall, which is built in artificial stone that looks very like Portland limestone from a distance, to take a photo of the Walker cannon – an example of the workmanship that enabled the company to supply 79 of the 105 guns aboard HMS Victory.

 

The Walker cannon

 

Just a bit further down Moorgate Street, I stopped again to photograph the unlisted old Vestry Offices, which needs some maintenance. I have always thought that it is an interesting building, but I don't know anything about its history.

 

The old Vestry Offices on Moorgate Street

 

Although Rotherham Red sandstone has only been used for the dressings on a brick building, I just like the details – especially the lettering above the door and the floral details on the high level pediment, which records its construction in 1894.

 

A detail of the old Vestry Offices

Coming finally to the top of High Street, I then headed down Church Street and, with the sun still shining brightly, I took advantage of this to take a few more photographs of the south elevation of Rotherham Minster. 

 

The tower and spire of Rotherham Minster