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But the tiny building is no ordinary place of worship and has also been a prison, an alms house, the scene of a Civil War battle and was even a tobacconist's shop in the late 1800s.

Normally, the prison cells of The Chapel of Our Lady at Rotherham are off limits to the public, but later this month the trapdoor behind a row of pews will be lifted and visitors will be able to venture inside.

The chapel is built on a bridge over the River Don, at the junction of Corporation Street and Bridge Street, and is one of only four so-called bridge chapels which remain in the country.

It comes under the auspices of All Saints' Minster and verger Martyn Taylor said many people were not aware of its existence, even those who had lived in Rotherham all their lives.

He added: "But it is still used every Tuesday morning for Holy Communion and it is also licensed for weddings. It seats 30 people comfortably and although it's a fairly simple building inside it has a fascinating story to tell. It was originally built in the 1480s but it closed as a chapel and later became an almshouse."

In the Civil War battle 30 grammar school boys "took a cannon on to the bridge. You can still see the bullet holes.

"After that there were a couple of attempts to demolish it, but the bridge was so important to the town's economy it was considered it was best to leave the whole structure alone."

The chapel became a prison in 1779 when the town's deputy constable moved into the upstairs area and converted the crypt into cells, which still bear graffiti scrawled by the incarcerated.

This continued into the 1800s until a new court house was built, and in 1875 the chapel was bought by a tobacconist.

A local aristocrat, Sir Charles Stoddart, provided cash for him to be bought out in 1913 after a campaign was launched for the building to be reconsecrated. It reopened as a place of worship in 1924 and Sir Charles left a bequest to help with its upkeep.

Mr Taylor said: "The most recent drama in the building's history was last year's flood, when the cells were 3ft deep in water. The tide mark left behind will certainly be a talking point for visitors."

It is one of hundreds of buildings in the region to open for free as part of English Heritage's annual Heritage Open Days, between September 11 and 14.

English Heritage outreach manager Alex Markham said it was "a real gem, combining so many of the elements that make Heritage Open Days such a wonderful celebration".



Drink up the region's varied heritage

NEARLY 400 venues are taking part in the Heritage Open Days programme across the region – from traditional churches and castles to pubs and former engineering works.

In Sheffield enthusiasts will quench their thirst for history by taking a walk through the so-called Valley of Beer when 10 historic pubs celebrate with displays, tours and photographs.

Many will also offer beers brewed especially for Heritage Open Days, with the Fat Cat, Kelham Island, serving up a pint of "Alma" in honour of the pub's original name.

The nation's first women's works canteen, built during the First World War at Braimes Engineering in Leeds, will also be opened up. The site has been preserved and was recently listed.

Whitby's 17th and 18th century "yards" are also welcoming visitors and some of the residents who live in the tightly packed cottages in the ancient North Yorkshire town will be around to answer questions.

Grimsby Rugby Club will test the theory that sportsmen of yesteryear would't be able to compete with those of today. Players wearing modern boots and gear will take on an 1885 team in period sports kit.

In Hull the Banqueting Hall at the former Neptune Inn will open its doors. Built in 1791 and in its heyday the plushest place to stay in Hull, today it is a rest room for staff from Boots, who occupy the lower floor.

One of Yorkshire's earliest Quaker meeting houses (1652) at High Flatts, near Huddersfield, will also open. It is in a "hidden" Pennine hamlet that was until recently exclusively Quaker-owned.