Latest News
Barnsley Museums Celebrates Record-Breaking Milestone of Two Million Visitors
17th June 2025
Barnsley Museums is thrilled to announce a historic achievement, welcoming two million visitors in 2024-25. This is the first time, in the council’s records, that the Museums service has reached this number in a year. It beats last year’s 1.9 … Continue reading
Records of the West Riding of Yorkshire Miners’ Permanent Relief Fund Accessible for the First Time
What do Prime Ministers Winston Churchill and Clement Attlee, French President Emile Loubet and Swedish screen legend Greta Garbo all have in common? The answer is that they all get a mention in the brand-new catalogue of the historic records … Continue reading
Dearne Youth Legacy Project
Dearne e-gaming tournament Fusion is leading the Dearne Youth Legacy Project, building on the success of Heart of the Wood and Storying Goldthorpe (https://www.barnsley-museums.com/projects/storying-barnsley/heart-of-the-wood). The project is using research and testing through pilot engagement activity to develop and consolidate thinking … Continue reading
Know Your Neighbourhood Project 2025 – Activities and Events
Looking to get creative? Every Wednesday in June, from 10am until 12pm, in the Sadler Room at the Cooper Gallery, you can make your own masterpiece with artists Sally Philburn and Julia Woodhall. Create different types of artwork in a … Continue reading
Little John’s Longbow at Cannon Hall
One of the most popular items on display at Cannon Hall Museum is ‘Little John’s’ bow. According to Spencer Stanhope family tradition, this longbow belonged to Little John, the legendary tall man from Robin Hood’s band of ‘merry men’ in … Continue reading
Barnsley Museums Exhibitions Online
If you’re interested in the latest exhibitions but cannot get to see them in person, did you know that you can now view them online? Christy Keeney: Formed and Reformed at Cannon Hall and Barnsley in Sight: Leeds Fine Artists … Continue reading
Summer Events at Wentworth Castle Gardens
A brand-new summer art installation created by local artists Jo Veal, Patrick Amber and the local community will be arriving at Wentworth Castle Gardens this summer. Inspired by The HERDS project, a groundbreaking public art and climate initiative, and our … Continue reading
Worsbrough Mill Museum and Country Park takes part in national event to celebrate 400-year anniversary
8th May 2025
Worsbrough Mill Museum and Country Park are continuing the celebrations of its 400-year anniversary with an action-packed programme of family-friendly activities on Saturday, 10 May, as part of National Mills Weekend. National Mills Weekend is an annual event where visitors … Continue reading
Discover the Vibrant World of Christy Keeney: Formed and Reformed at Cannon Hall Museum
Get ready to unleash your creativity this summer at Cannon Hall Museum with the exciting exhibition, Christy Keeney: Formed and Reformed, starting on Saturday, 17 May to 28 September 2025 We invite everyone—whether you’re an art lover, a family looking for … Continue reading
VE Day 80: Barnsley Remembers
On 8 May 1945 the lights on Barnsley town hall were switched back on and street parties took place across the borough. From the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 until victory in 1945, Barnsley was deeply affected … Continue reading
Voices Blooming at Wentworth Castle Gardens
10th May 2025 11.30am – 2.30pm As the gardens bloom into colour, enjoy uplifting music from community choirs during your visit to Wentworth Castle Gardens. Following on from last year’s successful event, community choirs will be coming together to celebrate … Continue reading
Joanne Harris in Conversation – Including Book Signing
Step into a world of secrets, chocolate, and enchantment as bestselling author Joanne Harris returns to the story that captured hearts. Joanne Harris in Conversation promises an evening of magic and discovery, as she reveals the untold past of Vianne … Continue reading
Fusion’s Arts Award Explore receives funding from Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust
Funding has recently been awarded by Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust to Fusion, Barnsley’s Local Cultural Education Partnership, to enable them to expand the excellent work achieved under the Arts Award Explore programme, delivered as part of the Festival of … Continue reading
Barnsley Museums Job Vacancy – Formal Learning and Access Officer
Barnsley Museums Service currently has a vacancy for a Formal Learning and Access Officer. If you think this might be the job for you, read on! Please note that the closing date is Friday 9th May at 23.59pm, so you … Continue reading
Calling all Creatives!
Would you like to help celebrate Worsbrough Mill’s 400-year anniversary through a unique creative project? There are two paid commissions available for artists working in any medium, offering a fantastic opportunity to contribute to this historic occasion. Proposals must be … Continue reading
Medieval Mayhem Returns to Monk Bretton Priory
The popular Medieval Mayhem weekend returns to Monk Bretton’s famous Bretton Priory for its fifth year on May 17th and 18th. Monk Bretton Priory’s 12th-century remains will come alive with battling knights, jolly jesters and all manner of merriment, with … Continue reading
Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust funding for a future Takeover Day
16th April 2025
You may remember in December that we wrote about the fabulous Kids in Museums Takeover Day, when the running of Cannon Hall Museum was handed over to Year 5 pupils from Carlton Primary Academy. Facilitated by Fusion, Barnsley’s Cultural Education … Continue reading
New exhibitions at the Cooper Gallery
19th April will be the last chance to see the fabulous Four Seasons in One Day exhibition at the Cooper Gallery, before an exhibition changeover for the summer season. Barnsley College Print Show 5th Apr – 31st May 2025 The … Continue reading
Hop Into Spring: Easter Trails Still Open Across Barnsley Museums!
The Easter holidays might be winding down, but the fun isn’t over just yet! The Easter trails at Barnsley Museums are still running, and there’s plenty of time to join in the adventure. Whether you’re after a bit of puzzle-solving, … Continue reading
Treasures Secured: Items added to the Barnsley Archive Collection thanks to supporters of Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust
Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust has been busy helping preserve the town’s rich history by supporting the Barnsley Archives. Recent additions include rare hand-drawn maps from the 1800s by Francis Kendray, a commemorative Co-op trowel form 1884, a Pupil-Teacher’s book … Continue reading
National Mills Weekend
Join us to celebrate National Mills Weekend on Saturday 10th May at Worsbrough Mill in this its 400th anniversary year. Activities on the day will include: Activities will run from 10am until 3pm. #WorsbroughMill400 Now that we’ve secured the £40,000 … Continue reading
Experience Barnsley a better place to play thanks to Tesco Stronger Starts
If you are visiting Experience Barnsley with your children, you may notice a whole new range of toys to entertain them, thanks to a recent grant from Tesco Stronger Starts. Tesco supports thousands of local community projects and good causes … Continue reading
Discover the Joy of Volunteering at Elsecar Heritage Centre
Have you ever thought about volunteering? If so, you might want to join the fantastic group of volunteers at Elsecar Heritage Centre! Sessions run on Mondays and Thursdays from 10am till 2pm. Activities range from working outdoors assisting with litter … Continue reading
Barnsley Archives’ Conservation programme – The Gardens at Wentworth Castle
During 2024, thanks to funding from the National Archives, the extensive records of Lancaster and Sons of Barnsley – a long-established firm of chartered surveyors, auctioneers and estate agents – were catalogued for the first time by James Stevenson, our … Continue reading
Vote for Worsbrough Mill for the Family Friendly Museum Award 2025
Have you had an eggcellent day out at Worsbrough Mill? Kids in Museums is looking for the best family-friendly museums from across the country. Every year, the awards recognise venues that go above and beyond in providing a high-quality visitor … Continue reading
