The Waterfront - a brand new multimillion pound café and venue, has opened in a spectacular location at a country park in Rotherham.
Work began at Rother Valley Country Park in 2024 on a £7.4m contract to build a new waterfront development, housing a new eatery and indoor function space with views extending over the lake.
The new development also includes external landscaping with an area for play outside the café for younger visitors.
Set in a stunning lakeside location, The Waterfront Café has been thoughtfully designed to deliver an exceptional visitor experience, with over 200 covers in a modern, light-filled setting that makes the most of the surrounding views.
Alongside the café, The Waterfront Function Space will offer a versatile venue for events, celebrations and community gatherings, all within a striking contemporary building that connects seamlessly with the natural landscape.
The Waterfront is now open daily from 9:30am. Currently, last food orders are at 4:00pm and last drink orders at 4:30pm, with a 5pm closing at the present time.
The food menu for early mornings so far includes hearty breakfasts, eggs benedict, pancakes and porridges and granola. Lunch options have included fish & chips, burgers and quiche with a seperate children's menu.
Funding for the project came from the government's Levelling Up Fund, where Rotherham Council was successful in securing £19.5m for the town centre and £19.9m for a number of connected projects around the leisure industry.
Also at the country park, where work has been carried out to create new parking areas, the focus has now turned to upgrading the play area.
Play options have been limited at the park in recent years. The paid-for play area called Adventure Valley closed and never re-opened and the free play area was reduced during COVID.
Approved plans show that the small play area at the northern end of the park near the main lake and northern lake is getting an upgrade.
Proposals include a large multi unit with play feature activities such as a large slide, a step ladder, a climber, a ramp with climbing nodules and a double sided, vertical vine climber. A sloped climbing wall, a liana rope climber, vertical rock climb and foot/hand hold access offer more challenging activities.
Across the play area. new toddler and junior swings, and a cantilever basket swing are shown, along with various play crossings such as beams, net bridges and striding stilts. A timber bali house, spinnning disc, telescope, bug magnifier and hammock complete the setup.
Last year, a £919,000 budget allocation was approved by Rotherham Council to improve play provision at Thrybergh Country Park, Rother Valley Country Park and at least six additional play areas.
The Waterfront website
Images: Rotherham Labour / Facebook / Roofdec
Work began at Rother Valley Country Park in 2024 on a £7.4m contract to build a new waterfront development, housing a new eatery and indoor function space with views extending over the lake.
The new development also includes external landscaping with an area for play outside the café for younger visitors.
Set in a stunning lakeside location, The Waterfront Café has been thoughtfully designed to deliver an exceptional visitor experience, with over 200 covers in a modern, light-filled setting that makes the most of the surrounding views.
Alongside the café, The Waterfront Function Space will offer a versatile venue for events, celebrations and community gatherings, all within a striking contemporary building that connects seamlessly with the natural landscape.
The food menu for early mornings so far includes hearty breakfasts, eggs benedict, pancakes and porridges and granola. Lunch options have included fish & chips, burgers and quiche with a seperate children's menu.
Funding for the project came from the government's Levelling Up Fund, where Rotherham Council was successful in securing £19.5m for the town centre and £19.9m for a number of connected projects around the leisure industry.
Also at the country park, where work has been carried out to create new parking areas, the focus has now turned to upgrading the play area.
Play options have been limited at the park in recent years. The paid-for play area called Adventure Valley closed and never re-opened and the free play area was reduced during COVID.
Approved plans show that the small play area at the northern end of the park near the main lake and northern lake is getting an upgrade.
Proposals include a large multi unit with play feature activities such as a large slide, a step ladder, a climber, a ramp with climbing nodules and a double sided, vertical vine climber. A sloped climbing wall, a liana rope climber, vertical rock climb and foot/hand hold access offer more challenging activities.
Across the play area. new toddler and junior swings, and a cantilever basket swing are shown, along with various play crossings such as beams, net bridges and striding stilts. A timber bali house, spinnning disc, telescope, bug magnifier and hammock complete the setup.
Last year, a £919,000 budget allocation was approved by Rotherham Council to improve play provision at Thrybergh Country Park, Rother Valley Country Park and at least six additional play areas.
The Waterfront website
Images: Rotherham Labour / Facebook / Roofdec
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