[1] Grimethorpe is located in eastern Barnsley, and until the local government reorganisation of 1974, it was part of the Hemsworth district and constituency.

In 1066, the village's owner was Ernui who was said to have six carucates of land at Brerelia and Hindelia, valued at forty shillings.

The Lady referred to in the place names of Ladycross, Ladywell and Ladywood is probably Mary Magdalene to whom Monk Bretton Priory was dedicated.

Grimethorpe colliery was one of the deepest pits in Britain and, following similar mergers with 'Houghton Main' and 'Dearne Valley', employed 6,000 men at the time of its closure in May 1993.

During mid-October of the 1984–85 miners' strike, there was a series of riots in Grimethorpe and local residents complained that the policing was too heavy-handed.

Historically Grimethorpe had road links to the major compass points without natural barriers but was distant to major cities and its public transport was represented by long-distance bus routes; comparable ex-mining-centric villages in West Yorkshire such as Fitzwilliam and South Elmsall have rail links to Leeds and a greater population supporting local retail and commerce.

The Dearne Valley link roads have been constructed and Park Springs Industrial Estate has been developed.

This has brought many jobs to the area especially the construction of a huge unit occupied by South Yorkshire-based furniture company Symphony.

Regeneration was praised by former Deputy prime minister John Prescott on his visit to the village in March 2010.

In 2010 Grimethorpe Colliery band recorded a version of the hymn "Jerusalem" which was played when the English team won a gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India.

In 2018 former Barnsley FC player Bruce Dyer opened a branch of his 'love life' football academy in the village.