The following may be regarded as the principal objects of interest in the town.

Worksop railway station (photo: A P Nicholson, 2010).
Worksop railway station (photo: A P Nicholson, 2010).

THE RAILWAY STATION is in the Elizabethan style, and is built of stone from Steetley quarry, on the Worksop Manor estate. This station is one of the largest and most attractive on the line. It is situated on the north side of the town, and commands a very pleasing view. The frontage of the building is 101 feet, the length of the platform is 252 feet. The roof over the roadway is particularly light and elegant.

St. John's Church

St Johns, Worksop, in 1900.
St Johns, Worksop, in 1900.

This Church is situated on the north side of the town, near the Railway Station, and has had an Ecclesiastical District assigned to it, the River Ryton being the boundary to the south. The existence of this church is due mainly to the liberality and exertions of the late George Savile Foljambe, Esq. The foundation stone was laid by the Viscountess Milton, on the 16th April, 1868. The church is calculated to seat about 700 persons. The plan consists of nave, chancel, north and south aisles, vestry, tower, and north porch; the clerestory is supported upon four clustered columns with moulded bases and carved caps. The aisles are lighted by two-light lancets; the piers are quatrefoil on plan, with carved caps and moulded bases. The chancel has three detached shafts and moulded arch and hood mouldings. The roof trusses are trefoil, ribbed principals, supported in detached stone shafts with carved caps and foliage corbels under bases. The tower is groined in stone, with moulded ribs, and is surmounted by a graceful spire, with large pinnacles at the four angles, and two tiers of Lucerne lights: the height to the top of vane is 150 feet. The belfry in the tower has a two-light window, and is arcaded all round. The total height to bridge of nave is 53 feet. The length from east to west is 141 feet six inches. The width of the nave is 22 feet six inches, and the side aisles are 15 feet and 13 feet respectively.

As a memorial to perpetuate the memory of the late George Savile Foljambe, Esq., who endowed this church, a reredos has been erected by public subscription. This memorial, which surrounds three sides of the chancel, consists of a reredos and an arcade of sixteen panels. The arches of the latter are moulded, and the panels are of polished Sicilian marble. The space below is filled with geometric mosaic tiles, the colours of which add greatly to the general effect. The reredos is formed of three effectively moulded arches, cusped and supported on shafts of Belgian marble. The panels are of figured Derbyshire alabaster, the centre one containing the sacred monogram illuminated in gold and colours, while those on each side are decorated with incised symbolical devices. With each device is interwoven an illuminated ribbon, bearing the texts

The interior of St Johns, Worksop, in 1900.
The interior of St Johns, Worksop, in 1900.

"I am the true vine. — I am the living bread." Immediately above the communion table are the words,—" This do in remembrance of me." The reredos terminates in a crocketed gable, in the centre of which is carved a trefoil panel, emblematic of the Trinity. The memorial is Early English, to harmonize in character with the style of the church. The church presents a light and graceful appearance, the tower and spire standing out in bold relief. It shews itself to peculiar advantage from many points in and around the town, the view from Bridge-street being particularly striking.

A little to the east of the Railway Station is the UNION WORKHOUSE, which was built in 1837, and is the centre of a union of 29 parishes and townships. Recently an Infirmary combining the most modern approved arrangements has been added to the Workhouse.

Immediately adjoining the Union Workhouse is an INFANT SCHOOL, originally built at the sole expense of the late Robert Ramsden, Esq., of Carlton Hall, by whose liberality and munificence it was supported many years; at his death it was purchased by the late George Savile Foljambe, Esq.; and this, as well as another Infants’ School, in Castle-street, is now supported by Francis J. Savile Foljambe, Esq., M.P.

The SAVINGS BANK, situated on the left side of Bridge-street, is a neat stone building, erected in 1843. Immediately above is the branch of the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Banking Company, and in Potter-street is the Worksop Branch of Messrs. Beckett and Co.’s Bank.

In Bridge-street may be noticed the NEW WESLEYAN METHODIST CHAPEL built in 1863, and which re-places the first Methodist Chapel built in 1813.

On the 29th June, 1780, the Rev. John Wesley visited Worksop, as the following uncomplimentary extract affirms. "I was desired to preach at Worksop; but when I came they had not fixed on any place; at length they chose a lamentable one full of dirt and dust, but without the least shelter from the scorching sun: this few could bear; so we had only a small company of as stupid people as ever I saw. In the evening I preached in the old house at Sheffield."

There seems to be some doubt as to the place where he preached. Mr. Holland says on the Lead Hill; an old inhabitant, the late Mr. Mordecai Binney, said he remembered him "preaching in Bridge-street, opposite a butcher’s shop, when he was pelted with sheep’s garbage."

In Potter-street is the WESLEYAN FREE CHURCH CHAPEL; in Westgate the CONGREGATIONAL; and in Newgate-street the PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHAPEL. These are all unpretending buildings, but well suited for their several, yet one, purpose.

At the head of Potter-street is situated the CORN EXCHANGE, a neat and useful building, in the Italian style, built in 1851, by a joint-stock company.

In the centre of the front of the exchange will be seen the arms of the Duke of Newcastle, carved in stone, and forming a considerable ornament and relief to the somewhat heavy appearance of the elevation. At the top is a clock, with an illuminated dial, which was presented to the company by the then Duke of Newcastle. It is found to be a great convenience to the inhabitants. The principal entrance to the building is by a flight of steps, passing under three arches of rustic stonework; the centre door leads into the large room on the basement floor, where, on market days, the corn factors hold the corn market. Entering the door to the left, we ascend a flight of steps, which brings us to the corridor; passing through this, we enter the spacious assembly room, in which are held the county court, concerts, lectures, &c., &c. In a room adjoining the corn exchange is the library of "the Reading Society and Mechanics’ Institute," above which is a news room well supplied with daily and other papers.

The Society was formed at a public meeting, held in the Assembly Room, on the 15th April, 1852. A good Library, containing about 2,000 volumes, has been formed, partly by donations of money and books from the principal noblemen and gentlemen in the neighbourhood.

In the rear of the building will be found the butchers’ shambles; and the markets for miscellaneous articles are held in the various parts of the surrounding open space.

The Roman Catholic Chapel

Is situated at the top of Park-street, near the Lodge Gates. It was built by the Duke of Norfolk, soon after he sold the Worksop Manor Estate, on which the old chapel was situated. This Chapel is dedicated to St. Mary, and forms a beautiful object on entering the town by the Newark road. The proportions and details of the exterior have been carefully selected from ancient examples, and its carved enrichments have been executed with much spirit and freedom. The interior of the Chapel is, however, deserving of a few remarks. It is 8o feet long, 33 feet wide, and 52 feet to the roof ridge. The harmony and simplicity of the nave, with its traceried open roof, at once recommend themselves to the eye of the beholder. The plan of the chancel or sanctuary is semi-hexangular. It is lighted by three windows of stained glass, executed with beautiful and correct taste. The altar is of white Roche Abbey stone, richly carved; and upon it rests an elaborate oak reredos, the crocketed canopies and pinnacles of which break the line of the window sill. Parts of the whole composition are slightly coloured and gilded, after the ancient manner, so as to harmonise with, and at the same time heighten, the gorgeous tints of the windows. The roof is dark blue, and forms a very harmonious relief with the oak.

The celebrated Alban Butler, the Jesuit, author of the "Lives of the Saints," was officiating Priest at Worksop for a short period, during the time he was tutor to the Duke of Norfolk’s family.

The Old Ship Inn.

The Old Ship Inn.