| Country: | England |
| Coordinates: | 53.516°N -1.4°W |
| Official Name: | Wombwell |
| Static Image Name: | Wombwell in 2005.jpg |
| Static Image Caption: | High Street, Wombwell |
| Os Grid Reference: | SE399028 |
| Population: | 15,316 |
| Population Ref: | (2011) |
| Metropolitan Borough: | Barnsley |
| Metropolitan County: | South Yorkshire |
| Region: | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Constituency Westminster: | Barnsley North |
| Post Town: | BARNSLEY |
| Postcode District: | S73 |
| Postcode Area: | S |
| Dial Code: | 01226 |
Wombwell is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley in South Yorkshire, England. In the 2011 census, data for the town was split between the ward of Wombwell[1] and small sections that fell into the wards of Darfield (specifically the area south of Pitt Street, including Broomhill)[2] and Stairfoot (specifically the area south of Aldham Crescent).[3] Added together, these record the town's population at approximately 15,316.
Historically within the West Riding of Yorkshire, its name may have originally been "Womba's Well", meaning "well in a hollow".
Wombwell railway station (formerly Wombwell West) serves the Penistone and Hallam lines. Until 1959 the town had another station, Wombwell Central, on the Barnsley–Doncaster line; this was closed when the line lost its passenger service. Wombwell was home to two collieries: Wombwell Main and Mitchells Main. Wombwell is close to the large shopping and leisure facilities of Cortonwood, and also has a number of local business, from cafes to travel agents to high-street chains such as Wilko.
Wombwell has one main cemetery, maintained by a voluntary group, the Friends of Wombwell Cemetery.[4] Two chapels stand in the cemetery, both Grade II listed buildings: one was transformed into a "Peace Garden" after a fire that destroyed its roof; the other has been renovated by the group to become a "community hub".
Wombwell Urban District Council was the administrative body for the town from 1865 until 1974.[5] The district also included Broomhill, Brampton, Aldham, Smithley, Lundhill, Jump and Hemingfield.
The Old Town Hall was completed in 1897.[6]
Parts of Wombwell were affected by the 2007 floods in the UK. The River Dove breached its banks on Friday 15 June and then again on Monday 25 June. Many homes and businesses were flooded.[7]
The parish church, St Mary's, located on Church Street, is a Grade II listed building.[8] [9] The parish also contains the Anglican church of St George, St Michael and All Angels Roman Catholic church, Wombwell Pentecostal Church, a Salvation Army Hall and a Methodist Church.[10]
The town has had a number of football teams –
Mark Jones, one of the eight Manchester United players who died in the Munich air disaster of 6 February 1958, is buried in Wombwell Cemetery, having been born in Wombwell in 1933.[11]
Roy Kilner, Yorkshire CCC and England cricketer was born in Wombwell and is buried in Wombwell Cemetery.[4]
The South Yorkshire Sports Stadium on Station Road existed from 1928 to 1965 and hosted greyhound racing and speedway.[12]
The Wombwell Greyhound Stadium on Hough Lane existed from 1934 to 1972 and hosted greyhound racing. It had previously been a football ground.
Harold Godwin (1917–2004), actor, was born in Wombwell.[13]