Walk in famous footsteps

As well as boasting beautiful countryside, a castle and a 17th Century mill on its doorstep, Barnsley centre is bustling with attractions both old and new. The town's famous ex-residents include Michael Parkinson, Ian McMillan and Arthur Scargill, so why not walk in their footsteps and explore some of the art galleries, museums and country parks on offer.

Lovers of history

With a mention in the Domesday Book, Barnsley's historic roots can be seen far and wide, from 18th Century Wentworth Castle to Elsecar Heritage Centre in the former colliery workshops and from Cannon Hall Museum, a country house museum set in 70 acres of historic parkland to antiques, collectables and a good dose of modern day bargains, at Barnsley Market. 

A holiday to remember

Staying for the weekend or planning a longer break? There's plenty to keep young and old visitors entertained.

• Get down to Barnsley Civic where since The Civic's grand reopening in March 2009, they've already seen a whole host of happenings that have wowed audiences with a diverse range of dynamic and contemporary events, entertainment and exhibitions.
• History buffs will adore Worsbrough Mill Museum and Country Park
• Get a hearty does of fun at Barnsley Metrodome Leisure Complex which houses a vast selection of sports and leisure activities suitable for all ages and abilities, including a Waterpark, ten pin bowling alley and fitness village.
• Shoppers should make a beeline for The Arcade's designer boutiques

And to top off a hard day's entertainment, why not sit back and relax at one of Barnsley's many pubs, bars and restaurants. Cheers!

Proper Yorkshire heritage

Yorkshire Dry Stone Walling Academy teaches you the art of building these beautiful walls - and your hard work will be left for all to see as the walls you build are left standing, shaping the Yorkshire countryside.

Cannon Hall Museum, Park & Gardens

Cannon Hall Museum Park & Gardens always makes for a wonderful day out, with things to do and see for everyone. Its glorious rooms are packed with fine arts and family fun. Imagine the bustles and bonnets of the Austin era as you explore. Cannon Hall Museum is famed for its special events including Pear Day. The Pear Tree collection is one of the most extensive in the North of England and has over 40 varieties. Come and discover Cannon Hall's 70 acres of rolling parklands and beautiful gardens. Relax, wander or hideaway. It's the perfect place for a stroll. Take some time to have a browse in the gift shop or enjoy some refreshments on site.

Art & Culture

The Cooper Gallery is the place to discover stunning art in Barnsley. From a wealthy local linen family, Samuel Joshua Cooper journeyed throughout Europe collecting fine examples of art for the people of his home town to enjoy. Experience them now almost 100 years since the gallery was created. The variety of the different exhibitions mean there's always something to see and do for all the family. Find out what's happening, from tours and talks to art master classes and creative family workshops.

The Civic

At The Civic, see a showcase of great performances and exhibitions. The Civic is proudly situated in Barnsley town centre and we feel it's important that we bring to Barnsley performances and exhibitions that make a stop in South Yorkshire whilst touring larger towns and cities across the UK and the world.

Animal Magic

Canon Hall Farm is ideal for families with animal lovers in it as it has almost every farm animal you can imagine! They are all waiting down on the farm to welcome you to a world of animal magic. You can feed the animals, catch up on the new baby animals being born and enjoy excellent home cooked food and delicious cakes in the tea room after fun on the adventure playground. There is also a gift shop and farm shop selling home produced meat and a range of fine foods and fresh produce.

Worsbrough Mill Museum & Country Park

Worsbrough Mill is a 17th century working water powered corn mill, set in over 240 acres of country park. It has a designated local nature reserve with fishing, walking and cycling being just a few of the activities to take part in. The Country Park has well maintained footpaths that meander through Willow Carr and around the whole circumference of the reservoir passing meadowlands that are rich in wild flowers and where industrial heritage sites have now given over to nature.

Wentworth Castle Gardens

One of the most important historic gardens in the North of England, Wentworth Castle Gardens celebrates its 300th anniversary in 2009. Recently awarded a White Rose Tourism Award for 'Visitor Attraction of the Year (under 50,000 visitors)', by the Yorkshire Tourist Board, the gardens are yours to explore and enjoy...

The secret gardens of the Earls of Strafford captured the nation's imagination on the BBC TV programme Restoration, and are now being carefully restored. Rare formal gardens have been rediscovered, National Collections of Rhododendrons, Camellias and Magnolias enhanced, and over 100,000 bulbs planted throughout the 60 acre garden to create a carpet of colour.

Experience Barnsley

Barnsley has been making history! Large parts of Barnsley Town Hall are fast being transformed to create Experience Barnsley, the first-ever Barnsley Museum and much more. It will be an amazing place to visit for all the family, time and time again. Discover a fascinating past: the good, difficult and incredible times which Barnsley has experienced over the centuries. Get close to priceless treasures. Uncover your own family's history, read 1000 year-old documents and explore a new film and sound archive too.

Elsecar Heritage Centre

An Antique, History and Craft Centre offering something for everyone.Set in the attractive conservation village of Elsecar, Elsecar Heritage Centre is located within the former ironworks and colliery workshops of the Earl Fitzwilliam. Restored historical buildings now house an antique centre, individual craft workshops, and exhibitions of Elsecar's past. Elsecar Heritage Centre is also the ideal location to access the Trans Pennine Trail. 

Cannon Hall Museum

Cannon Hall is a country house museum set in 70 acres of historic parkland. For almost 300 years Cannon Hall was home to the Spencer, later Spencer-Stanhope family, who made their fortune in the local iron industry. In 1957 the hall opened as Cannon Hall Museum, and is home to a collection of art including ceramics, glass, furniture and Old Master paintings, displayed in the hall's Georgian and Victorian rooms. Highlights include Mrs Tuder by John Constable, Wheelback Chairs by George Hepplewhite and stunning ceramics by William de Morgan and Moorcroft. 

Worsbrough Mill Museum and Country Park

Worsborough Country Park is a designated local nature reserve set in over 200 acres of delightful coutryside, boasting many activities including: fishing, walking and cycling. In the park you will also see the fully-operational 17thC watermill and 19thC engine mill and displays of auxiliary machinery. The watermill is worked daily and contains 3 pairs of stones driven by a 14'4' diameter, overshot wheel in cast iron.

Monk Bretton Priory Medieval Monastery

Adam Fitz Swain's 12th-century priory of St. Mary Magdalene at Lundwood, Barnsley is also known as Monk Bretton Priory. It was a daughter house of St John's Priory for Cluniac monks, founded by Robert de Laci (de Lacy) near to his base at Pontefract Castle. Cluniacs at Monk Bretton controlled agriculture and natural resources on many sites between Wakefield and Rotherham. Their market charter was the cause of Barnsley's growth into a West Riding market town. King Edward I was troubled when monks came from La Charité-sur-Loire in France to fight for control of this wealth. After dissolution under Henry VIII, it was home to the Armyne and Talbot families, descendents of the Earl of Shrewsbury. Monk Bretton Priory is now owned by Barnsley MBC under English Heritage custody and promoted by the Diocese of Wakefield.

Wortley Top Forge

Wortley Top Forge is Britain's last surviving water powered heavy iron forge with a history dating back to the 17th century. Wortley Ironworks was originally on two sites, Low Forge, lower down the valley and now in a ruinous state; and Top Forge, now in the care of the South Yorkshire Industrial History Society and currently undergoing renovation. There are many things to see on the site as it's surrounded by trees in beautiful wooded countryside in a loop of the River Don, although the main attraction is the Forge building that contains the furnace, helve hammers, waterwheels and cranes. Other buildings on the site include the Blacksmith's Shop, where demonstrations are sometimes given and the Foundry building, where casting used to take place.

Victoria Jubilee Museum

Victoria Jubilee Museum is a unique and exciting, small volunteer run museum can be found in the picturesque village of Cawthorne. The museum is a typical Victorian hotch potch, whichever way you turn there is something to catch the eye of both young and old. There are original collections of butterflies and moths, birds and eggs, fossils, stuffed animals, domestic bygones, war time relics, old school books and memorabilia, the list is endless. Why not visit this quaint village museum for an enlightening look into the past or a trip down memory lane.

Cooper Gallery

The Cooper Gallery is home to the Cooper Trustee's collection of 17th to 20th Century paintings, watercolours and drawings by artists such as JMW Turner, Wadsworth and Atkinson Grimshaw. The Cooper Gallery hosts a regular programme of contemporary touring exhibitions including the Craft Showcase which features crafts and artwork for sale by regional and local artists.

Visit the vibrant Barnsley Market

Barnsley has a unique 21st Century Market Town that has a growing reputation for quality.
The town regularly hosts specialists markets along Cheapside and Queen Street, packed with fashion, crafts, food, flowers and gifts. Make the most of your shopping experience and visit the well established Car Boot sale; you may even pick up a bargin!

A buzzing Town Centre

Barnsley has grown into a lively shopping and social centre where designer boutiques rub shoulders with trendy bars. There's certainly plenty to keep you busy, as the heart of the local community Barnsley Town Centre strives to make your experience as convenient, easy and enjoyable as possible. Whether you're looking for your day to day requirements, quality designer labels, or your monthly shop there are a good number of high street nationals in the Centre such as Marks and Spencer ,W.H. Smith, TK Maxx, Next, Boots, Top shop, Burtons, Top man, Dorothy Perkins

Coach visits to the markets!

You will always find a friendly welcome from all the traders who really do appreciate the coach visitors. Barnsley's famous market which is open every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, has an indoor and outdoor markets plus has specialist meat and fish traders. They also have many characters for your customers to pay a visit to, from 'George the Sockman' to 'Sailor Sid' the sweet stall. Coach parking is FREE and situated in the market itself.