Summer Fun at Barnsley Museums 

It’s shaping up to be a sensational summer at Barnsley Museums, with an exciting range of free family activities over the summer holidays. 

From Wednesday, 24 July, until Sunday, 1 September, families can get active and creative across the museum’s five free heritage attractions. 

At Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens, visitors can strike a pose and take to the stage in a specially constructed mini theatre for ‘Costume Capers’, accompanying the new temporary exhibition ‘Costumes from the Classics.’ 

Young explorers will learn all about Cannon Hall’s rich Second World War history in Tales of the Polish Camp and be able to visit artists Lenny and Whale’s fantastic installation, Guardians of Bird Island, inspired by the nature of the parklands. 

For a fun and interactive show, families can experience the charming story of a Vixen who meets a Fox, in Opera North’s Little Listeners: Mini Vixen. 

Over at The Cooper Gallery, younger visitors can take part in a dance workshop, Bear Bops and Fox Trots, or create mini masterpieces in Animal Adventures in Wildsmith’s World of Wonder. To kick back, relax and play, children can visit the interactive space, Brian’s Wild Wood, or explore an enchanted forest with Mama G. 

Moving over to Experience Barnsley Museum, children will be tasked with finding all the hidden treasures of Barnsley in a free trail, with a celebration of all things sport, in a fun-filled activity, The Big Barnsley Bats and Ball Bash. For a multisensory experience, come along to SENsational, an activity for families with PMLD, autism, or who are neurodiverse. 

For some family fun, head on over to Elsecar Heritage Centre to take part in the Elsecar by the Sea Trail, where families can find hidden seaside objects and collect words to make a summer song. 

Older children can join time travellers Kit and Echo to crack the code and uncover hidden stories, by taking part in Echoes Through Time. Younger children will be able to saddle up and go on an adventure in Giddy Up and Away. 

At Worsbrough Mill and Country Park, families will create messages for the woodland sprites using natural materials in Enchanted Envelopes and Pebble Poems. 

For visitors wanting to explore the great outdoors, sensory trails at Cannon Hall and Worsbrough Mill will be available throughout the summer holidays during opening hours. 

Councillor Robin Franklin, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “It is set to be an exciting summer at Barnsley Museums. There will be lots of family fun to be had, whether you are creating marvellous masterpieces in our galleries or experiencing the beauty of nature in our wonderful outdoor spaces. Families can have amazing low-cost days out at our five free heritage attractions.” 

A small charge applies to some activities. For more details on our events, please visit www.barnsleymuseums.com