Latest News
Drainage works begin at Elsecar Heritage Centre
16th October 2025
Significant improvements to Elsecar Heritage Centre’s drainage systems are now underway. This will modernise and future-proof the site, ready for potential further growth and developments. These works are essential to make sure the site functions successfully. Work started on Monday … Continue reading
Experience Barnsley Museum and Discovery Centre wins Family Friendly Museum Award 2025
Experience Barnsley Museum and Discovery Centre has received national recognition for its exceptional work welcoming children and families. Run by charity Kids in Museums, the national award is presented to one museum, gallery or heritage site in the UK that … Continue reading
Kids in Museums Takeover Day at Cannon Hall 23rd October
On Thursday 23rd October we’re handing over the keys to Year 6 from Barugh Green Primary School as they take over Cannon Hall Museum as part of Kids in Museums Takeover Day! Come and meet the new temporary Front of … Continue reading
A New Chapter at Cannon Hall
Good news for book lovers – the Pre-Loved Bookshop at Cannon Hall Museum is open once more! Tucked away in the Walled Garden, this charming little shop is a treasure trove of stories waiting to be rediscovered. Whether you’re after … Continue reading
The Cooper Gallery is awarded prestigious Sandford Award for Heritage Learning
The Cooper Gallery is delighted to announce that it has received the Sandford Award for Heritage Learning. The award recognises The Cooper Gallery’s excellent learning opportunities and outstanding visitor engagement. We’re proud to share that The Cooper Gallery is now … Continue reading
Appeal for funding to help restore a 1932 Leyland Fire Engine used in Barnsley
This hero fire engine saved lives during Sheffield’s darkest hour- brought in from Barnsley it roared into burning streets as bombs tore the city apart in the Blitz. Now it needs rescuing itself and a major appeal has been launched … Continue reading
Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens receives Platinum Yorkshire in Bloom Award
Congratulations to the team at Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens who received the Platinum award at this year’s Yorkshire in Bloom awards that took place at the Town Hall earlier this month. The Judges commented: “Cannon Hall is a … Continue reading
Barnsley Archives and Local Studies – 10 years of Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust display
To celebrate the forthcoming 10-year anniversary of Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust, Barnsley Archives have created a display which will showcase some of the items that have been purchased or conserved thanks to the generous donations of supporters of the … Continue reading
Brilliant Volunteering Efforts at Cannon Hall Museum
Volunteering is a great way to learn new skills, meet new friends and combat loneliness and isolation. Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, we have been able to expand the volunteering offer at Cannon Hall Museum and … Continue reading
Worsbrough Mill Museum and Country Park to host two-day event as part of Heritage Open Days
11th September 2025
Worsbrough Mill invites visitors to experience the rich history of one of Barnsley’s most treasured heritage sites during the Heritage Open Days on Saturday 13 September and Sunday 14 September, from 11am to 3pm. This free, family-friendly event offers a … Continue reading
Pear Day is back at Cannon Hall
Pear Day returns to Cannon Hall Museum on Sunday 21st September from 10am to 4pm, bringing with it a much-loved celebration of the estate’s heritage pear varieties. Set against the stunning backdrop of Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens, the … Continue reading
Upcoming Events at Barnsley Museums
Barnsley Museums has a programme of events over the coming weeks that offers something for everyone to enjoy. On 12th September the Barnsley Archives and Local Studies team will be in Royston as part of their travelling Pop-Up Archives. Staff … Continue reading
Wee Beasties of Barnsley visit Cudworth Park
Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust are very proud supporters of Fusion, Barnsley’s Local Cultural Education Partnership. As part of their work, Fusion has been collaborating with Wombwell Park Primary School on the Wee Beasties of Barnsley project. Pupils have been … Continue reading
Free cinema screenings return to the Parkway Cinema
We’re delighted to share that the free cinema screenings at Parkway Cinema Barnsley, part of the ‘Know Your Neighbourhood’ project, are back by popular demand! The project, which aims to combat loneliness and social isolation in people across Barnsley, is … Continue reading
Cannon Hall Walled Garden Historic Pear Collection
Cannon Hall will be celebrating the annual Pear Day in the walled garden on 21st September. Pears have been grown for thousands of years and are considered one of the most exciting of all tree fruits, resulting in the cultivation … Continue reading
Trouble at T’Mill – A Miller’s Life
As part of the year-long celebration of Worsbrough Mill’s 400-year anniversary, Catherine Roebuck (Visitor Services Assistant) has been delving into the history of the mill and the people who worked there. ‘Trouble at T’Mill’ is used nowadays as a humorous … Continue reading
Barnsley celebrates tourism triumph as local attractions shine in national rankings
18th August 2025
We’re delighted to celebrate the latest release of visitor data and national rankings from Visit England and the South Yorkshire STEAM report, showcasing Barnsley as a vibrant and thriving tourist destination. In Visit England’s recent published data, Cannon Hall Museum, … Continue reading
Conservation of the painting ‘Cawthorne Church from the Park’
Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust has been delighted to continue to help with the conservation of items in the museum collection, and the latest item to benefit has been a fabulous painting of ‘Cawthorne Church from the Park’ by a … Continue reading
Summer Adventures with Barnsley Museums
There is still plenty of fun to be had this summer with Barnsley Museums, with activities running right through the holidays for families to enjoy. The Great Museum Quest continues until 31 August, inviting children to pick up a free … Continue reading
The Next Big Thing Group
The Next Big Thing are a Barnsley Museums youth group, which welcomes participants with lived experience of mental health, LGBTQ plus young people, young carers and other young people with barriers to education and engagement with the arts and culture. … Continue reading
Call out for Disabled, Neurodivergent and/or D/deaf Co Producers at Barnsley Museums
Hello, I am Saba, a Curating Visibility fellow based at Barnsley Museums. I am here to interpret the collections from the lens of disability and neurodiversity, using my lived experience and research interests. Do you love history and want to find out … Continue reading
Barnsley Archives’ Conservation Programme – Gawber School Log Book
Barnsley Archives and Local Studies have an ongoing conservation programme to ensure that the 4000 collections in our custody can still be safely used by researchers many years, decades and centuries from now. The programme is a crucial part of … Continue reading
Cooper Gallery artwork on loan to the National Gallery in London
The Shepherdess, a c1849 drawing by Jean-Francois Millet, has recently made its way on loan from the Cooper Gallery to the National Gallery in London to feature in their exhibition Millet: Life on the Land. Millet is one of the … Continue reading
Poet In Lockdown with Ian McMillan – Revisited
Can you believe that it’s been five years since we were singing happy birthday while washing our hands, baking banana bread and watching Tiger King? Five years since the Covid19 pandemic resulted in multiple national lockdowns. One of our popular … Continue reading
Blue Plaque unveiling at Darfield Museum and Heritage Open Days
Heritage Open Days are a great way to access venues that may not normally be open to the public, get behind the scenes or gain free entry to sites that normally charge a fee. Started in 1994 with 701 participating … Continue reading
