Woodsetts

Woodsetts is a village and civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham in South Yorkshire, England, on the border with Nottinghamshire. It lies between the towns of Dinnington and Worksop at an elevation of around 60 metres above sea level, and has a population of 1,746 at the 2011 Census. The village originated as a medieval farming hamlet of the manor of Anston, nestled amongst the ancient woodland of which a few patches remain. The village grew rapidly in the late 19th century when a colliery was sunk at Dinnington. The village now serves as a commuter base for travellers between nearby towns.

History
Woodsetts originated as a medieval hamlet, one of a cluster of hamlets in the area. The name 'Woodsetts' comes from the middle-English word 'Wodesete', meaning a fold in the woods. The first written record of Woodsetts is in a 13th-century quitclaim (dated 1220) held at the Derbyshire Record Office (Hatfield de Rodes papers) where a bovate of land 'in the territory of Lyndrick, in Wudsetes' is mentioned. Other geographical locations mentioned nearby confirm that it is Woodsetts being referred to. The placement of the village is likely due to the source of water in the streams to the North of the village, arable farming land, and the proximity to the historic monasteries of Roche Abbey and Worksop Priory. The nearest established castles are at Worksop and Tickhill.

Woodsetts appeared in a number of medieval and tudor records. In 1771 the first map of the village was drawn, showing a cluster of buildings around Lindrick Road. At the turn of the 19th century, the population of Woodsetts was a little over 100. Originally, inhabitants attended the 12th century St John's Church at Throapham; to accommodate the growing population of the village a new church was constructed costing £1,100 (£115,470 in 2024). This church, St George's Church (Church of England) consists of a modest nave to which an apse was later added, a porch, and a south facing extension; it sits in the Province of York, and the Diocese of Sheffield. The village also has a smaller brick-built Methodist church which was constructed in 1896. The Butchers Arms is the only public house in the village, built in the 19th century and extended in the 20th century.

Most of the buildings in the village are 20th century built. Some are from the 19th century, and a few date from the 18th century or earlier. Historic England lists three buildings in the village which are of national historical value and significance.

Facilities
There is a small shopping precinct in the village, which includes a post office. The new village hall was built in 2007, it sits in the centre of the village off the recreational ground, which includes football pitches, a cricket pitch and green, cricket pavilion, and small skate park. There is also an artificial games pitch, and a children's play area. The village has its own scouts group in the Rotherham district.

There is one Junior and Infants School in the village. There are two secondary schools within a 4-mile radius, Dinnington High School and Outwood Academy Valley. There is 6th form provision at Dinnington High School, North Notts College, and Worksop College (independent). The nearest Universities are those of Sheffield.

Public transport consists of bus routes operated by stagecoach. The nearest railway station is at Shireoaks.

Nearby
To the north of Woodsetts is the smaller satellite settlement of Gildingwells. Historic places within an 8-mile radius are Roche Abbey (12th century Abbey), Tickhill Castle (12th century Castle), Worksop Priory (13th century Church), and All Saints Church, Steetley (Norman Church). The Tropical Butterfly House Conservation Park is also just outside the village.

The City of Sheffield is the closest major city. The village is about a 10-minute drive from the M1 Motorway.

Fracking applications
Rotherham Borough Council twice refused planning permission for exploration at Woodsetts with regard to shale gas hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in 2018, in March and September. A further public enquiry is to be held in June 2019.