The town was once a centre for the manufacture of pottery of international importance, and deep coal mining, glassmaking, canal barge-building and engineering. It is known for the Rockingham Pottery, a world-renowned manufacturer of porcelain. Although the factory closed in 1842, its name defines a style of rococo porcelain. There were several other potteries in the area during the 19th century. One of the original kilns, a small part of the factory, a gatehouse and the pottery flint millpond remain today in Pottery Ponds, a small park off Blackamoor Road near the Woodman public house. Swinton was also the site of the important but lesser known Don Pottery. The village lies between the Roman Ridge and the south west Roman road from Doncaster. A coin hoard dating to the early 3rd century was excavated during the construction of a house cellar in the village in 1853. In June 2014, Andrew Allen uncovered a number of pottery sherds whilst gardening at home. Preliminary observations found that it comprised approximately 90 pottery sherds, including high statusSamian ware, traditional cooking wares and rusticated pottery, as well as possible metal and glass working waste products. In October 2014, South Yorkshire's first crowd-funded archaeological project commenced with an archaeological excavation in the area of the pottery finds. It found evidence of a Roman ditch and a possible Roman field system and numerous pieces of pottery from the late 1st to mid 3rd centuries. Further archaeological excavation was undertaken in spring 2015 and a comprehensive geophysical survey of Swinton Fitzwilliam school playing fields. Further work is planned with Elmet Archaeology and the local community.
Following the decline of traditional industries and after the 1980s miners' strike), employment is provided predominantly by service and light industry in the Manvers area. Surviving in the area of railway lines and canals is a boat yard with a limited barge repair and transport business, and timber milling and woodworking facilities. The Sheffield and South YorkshireNavigation canal, once a major transport route between Sheffield and Goole, underwent substantial modernisation in the mid-1980s and is capable of accommodating large vessels as far as Rotherham, and pleasure craft through to Sheffield. Limited bulk freight has returned to the canal with use of the modern Swinton Lock. The town was without a railway station between January 1968, when the old station was closed as part of the Beeching cuts, and 1991, when a new station was opened after the restoration of the double track "Swinton Curve", enabling trains to travel from Sheffield to Doncaster. Increased passenger usage led to the provision of a portable building staffed for morning peak times only. It was replaced by a brick building housing a ticket office and waiting room. Some local bus services connect with trains at this facility. Most manufacturing has ceased, but substantial warehousing remains. Morphy Richards & Roberts Radio brands run a large site. An Americanbagel company and centres for Stelrad and Jackson's building supplies and Tachart Ltd t/a Bolt and Nut Manufacturing operate in the town. Swinton's working class traditions gave way during the mid-1980s manufacturing upheaval, and the town now has marked divisions between deprived areas and newer middle class areas.
Education
Swinton's secondary school, with sixth form college, is Swinton Academy. It teaches pupils from age 11 to 18. The school was scheduled to be rebuilt on the current site but the scrapping of the rebuilding schools programme by the coalition government of the time meant that the school will not have a new building. There are also several primary schools and nurseries, including Swinton Fitzwilliam Primary, Swinton Queen Primary School and Brookfield Primary School. Swinton Queen Primary School was rebuilt and opened in March 2011 with the old school buildings being demolished. On the outskirts of Swinton are Dearne Valley College and the empty Humphry Davy House which was used for nursing studies by Sheffield University.
Amenities
Swinton has 14 public houses commonly called "The Swinton Mile", which range from typical Yorkshire pubs serving food, modern bars, and a working men's club.
Local issues
Industrial premises on Swinton's boundary with Kilnhurst were occupied by Croda Hydrocarbons, who took over the works from Midland and Yorkshire Tar Distillers. The site is controversial owing to pollution during the plant operations. Despite this planning permission was granted to build domestic dwellings. A Validation Certificate has been issued and work by Gleeson Homes started.
