Latest News
Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust receives Garfield Weston funding
16th July 2026
Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust has successfully won a grant of £50,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation, which will support the work of Barnsley Museums. The funding will help Barnsley Museums’ day-to-day running, with an emphasis on enhancing education, community engagement and learning opportunities. … Continue reading
Fusion Arts Award Explore Celebration Event at Horizon College
Last month, the Fusion Arts Award Explore Ambassadors Celebration Event was held at Horizon Community College. The event brought together children and young people from schools across the borough to celebrate their achievements, creativity, and participation in the Fusion Arts Award Explore Programme 2025-26. Barnsley Museums … Continue reading
Cooper Prize 2027
Entries for 2027 Cooper Prize competition are now open! The Cooper Prize, formerly known as South Yorkshire Open Art Competition, is open to artists who are born, live or work in South Yorkshire and aims to reward and celebrate excellence and originality … Continue reading
Gaming Events Come to Barnsley this Summer
This summer, the Dearne Young Creative Producers are hosting ‘Game On Barnsley’, a series of exciting gaming events designed by young people, for young people. This project is a result of the Dearne Young Creative Producers being successful in their pitch at the Ambition … Continue reading
Summer Adventures Await
Make the most of the summer holidays with Barnsley Museums. From hands-on family workshops and creative crafts to science experiments, sensory play and outdoor adventures, there’s plenty to keep children of all ages entertained across our museums and heritage sites. Many activities … Continue reading
Barnsley On Film Returns to Experience Barnsley This Summer
Take a trip through Barnsley’s history this summer with a series of free Saturday film screenings at Experience Barnsley. Running from 25 July to 29 August, each Saturday features a different film playing on a continuous loop in the main gallery, so … Continue reading
Rooted in History: New Apple Cordons Take Shape at Wentworth Castle Gardens
This spring marked an exciting milestone at Wentworth Castle Gardens as a new collection of heritage apple trees was planted in the Outdoor Union Jack Garden, helping to preserve traditional fruit-growing techniques for future generations. The project was supported by … Continue reading
Visit to Cusworth Hall Museum and Park
11th June 2026
On Monday 8 June, Cannon Hall Museum’s house and garden volunteers visited Cusworth Hall and Park in Doncaster. For some, it was a first visit, and for others, the first opportunity for house and garden volunteers to meet one another. After a … Continue reading
Cannon Hall: The Story of a House and its Family – A Conservation Success Story
Have you been to see the new exhibition Cannon Hall: The Story of a House and its Family yet? It’s absolutely fascinating and a must see if you would like to learn more about the people who called Cannon Hall home. It’s particularly special … Continue reading
The Pride of Yorkshire
The Pride of Yorkshire is an exciting sculpture trail in Barnsley and across South Yorkshire in summer 2026, featuring 300 lion sculptures to celebrate Sheffield Children’s Hospital’s 150th anniversary. The vibrant sculpture trail features 150 full-sized lion and lioness sculptures and 150 lion cubs and will take … Continue reading
What’s Coming Up in Barnsley
There is a wide range of forthcoming events taking place across Barnsley, offering something for all ages and interests. From outdoor heritage walks to creative sessions and family friendly activities, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved and explore … Continue reading
Your Guide to Summer Fun in Barnsley
If you’re planning to make the most of your summer holidays, Barnsley is packed with events, activities, and family fun across the borough. From cultural events to outdoor adventures and hands-on experiences for all ages, there’s something happening throughout the school break for everyone to enjoy. … Continue reading
Exploring the Tribute Book of Sir Walter Spencer Stanhope
In order to create an exhibition as extensive and fascinating as Cannon Hall: The Story of a House and its Family, a tremendous amount of research has to be carried out in the planning stages. Having the wonderful resources available at Barnsley Archives … Continue reading
Volunteers’ Week: The Power of Giving Time
1st June 2026
“This saved my life.” Four words from one volunteer that capture why volunteering matters so deeply. This Volunteers’ Week, Barnsley Museums & Heritage Trust is celebrating the people who give their time, energy, and skills to support our museums and … Continue reading
Exhibition – Cannon Hall: The Story of a House and Its Family
13th May 2026
Saturday 23 May – Sunday 20 September 2026 Step inside Cannon Hall Museum and explore 300 years of history of the house and family in this fascinating new exhibition. Discover the hall from its beginnings as a small manor house in the middle of the 17th century through … Continue reading
Support BMHT Through the Co-op Local Community Fund
We are delighted to be part of the Co-op Local Community Fund helping us continue delivering arts, heritage, and wellbeing projects across the borough. This year, your support will help us work with the Elsecar community to uncover and celebrate the village’s lesser-known history. … Continue reading
New Learning Boxes at Barnsley Museums thanks to Grant Funding
Emmy Gratton-Rayson is both a Trustee of Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust and a Visitor Services Assistant working at both Experience Barnsley and the Cooper Gallery which gives a great perspective of both organisations and how we can work together to achieve brilliant things. Here, Emmy talks about how some … Continue reading
Plenty to Explore Across Barnsley This May
There is plenty happening across Barnsley this May, with a varied programme of activities for all ages and interests. Some events will be taking place at Barnsley Museums sites, offering the chance to explore local history, collections, and creative spaces, … Continue reading
Small Steps to Better Mental Wellbeing
Mental Health Awareness Week takes place between 11 to 17 May this year (Mental Health Awareness Week | Mental Health Foundation) and this year’s theme is “Action”. Volunteering can have a profound effect on mental wellbeing and Barnsley Museums and Heritage … Continue reading
“Objects, People and Perspective”
A curated display by staff and volunteers in the Oak Room at Cannon Hall Museum Staff and volunteers were invited to select their favourite objects from the collections and describe how these objects connect to their roles as well as … Continue reading
Wellbeing Through Culture, Heritage and Community
This Mental Health Awareness Week, Barnsley Museums & Heritage Trust are highlighting some of the projects and groups we support that show how creativity, heritage, nature, and community spaces can support positive mental health and help people feel more connected.
Penistone Library reopens after refurbishment
Penistone Library reopened on 20 April and along with an enhanced children’s area including a colourful design featuring a vibrant mural of Penistone railway viaduct and the surrounding rolling hills. There is improved access to the Dransfield Collection, a significant local history resource … Continue reading
Barnsley airman’s sacrifice remembered: Sgt. David Taylor Horsfall of the Dambusters raid
A Barnsley airman who played a vital role in one of the Second World War’s most iconic missions is being remembered for his courage and sacrifice with a Barnsley Civic Trust blue plaque unveiling taking place at Shaw Lane Sports Club, Barnsley on Saturday 16 … Continue reading
Gardeners to the rescue: National Plant Collections at Wentworth Castle Gardens
14th April 2026
Chris Margrave, National Collections Volunteer with the National Trust Image: Nick Singleton As the gardens approach their peak spring blossom display, with the camellias, magnolias and rhododendrons wowing visitors with their colour and scent, it’s a perfect moment to highlight the important role Wentworth … Continue reading
Barnsley International Market returns this April
The International Market returns to Barnsley from Thursday 23rd to Sunday 26th April 2026, bringing a weekend of great food, shopping and atmosphere to The Glass Works. Taking place in the heart of the town centre, the market will feature a wide range of street food … Continue reading
