Latest News
Trouble at T’Mill – Worsbrough Needs Your Help
24th September 2024
In 2025, Worsbrough Mill is celebrating 400 illustrious years of milling using water power from the River Dove. This 240-acre country park and reservoir is a slice of paradise for nature lovers, with birdwatchers, anglers and over 250,000 fresh air … Continue reading
Sykes Family Papers
A mid-nineteenth century albumen photograph of local Wesleyan Methodist preacher Timothy Sykes (1785-1864) is the gem of a small box of documents recently donated to Barnsley Archives and Local Studies. It’s always rare to find photographs of named individuals from … Continue reading
Roof repairs begin on Cannon Hall Museum
Essential work began in August to preserve the historic building and secure the future of its collections. Cannon Hall Museum, a Grade II*-listed Georgian Country House in Barnsley, has received a grant of £898,405 from the Museum Estate and Development … Continue reading
September celebrates four-year project at Wentworth Castle Garden – The Union Jack Gardens
What has become known as the Union Jack Garden was first planted in 1713 by Thomas Wentworth’s gardener, John Arnold. He knew it as the Wilderness. Arnold followed a design thought to be by the Royal Gardeners to Queen Anne, … Continue reading
Restoration of Cannon Hall’s Plunge Pool
If you have visited the Fairyland area of Cannon Hall, Park and Gardens recently you will have seen that the plunge pool has undergone restoration work. As part of the restoration of the pool some other fascinating pieces of history … Continue reading
Elsecar Building Bridges Project
‘Elsecar Building Bridges’ is a National Lottery Heritage Funded project supported by Barnsley Museums & Heritage Trust with the aim of developing connections with local community groups and individuals across the village of Elsecar and surrounding areas. The project has … Continue reading
Barnsley Museums Job Vacancy – Exhibitions Officer
Barnsley Museums Service currently has a vacancy for an Exhibitions Officer. If you think this might be the job for you, read on! It’s exciting times at Barnsley – we have a bold vision for Barnsley in 2030 as a … Continue reading
New Barnsley Archives Accessible On-line
Barnsley Archives and Local Studies has announced a partnership with the Ancestry website that will allow thousands of records relating to Barnsley people to be accessed online for the first time. Previously, all records could only be accessed by visiting … Continue reading
Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens wins national heritage learning award
Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens is delighted to announce that it has received the Sandford Award for Heritage Learning. The award recognises Cannon Hall’s excellent learning opportunities and outstanding visitor engagement. The Sandford Award is the national quality mark … Continue reading
Guardians of Bird Island: A New Sculptural Trail for Cannon Hall Park and Gardens.
5th August 2024
Cannon Hall Park and Gardens is delighted to announce the arrival of Guardians of Bird Island, a characterful new sculptural trail that will enchant visitors of all ages. The trail will open on Friday, 19 July. Guardians of Bird Island … Continue reading
Historic Harrals clock returns to Eldon Street
A cherished landmark in Barnsley town centre has been restored to its former glory thanks to the Eldon Street Heritage Action Zone (HAZ). The Harrals clock, which has been a meeting place for generations of people, has been repaired and … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
New Railway document acquired by Barnsley Archives and Local Studies
Railway historians will be particularly interested in a recent purchase at auction by Barnsley Archives. The original document from 1897 is a conveyance of 9 acres 3 roods and 23 perches of freehold land at Worsbrough for the purposes of … Continue reading
Elsecar Heritage Centre launches a new interactive trail for young visitors
On Wednesday 31 July, Elsecar Heritage Centre launched a new interactive trail designed by teenagers for young people. The self-guided digital trail will run throughout the summer holidays and offer a fun and engaging way to learn about Elsecar’s rich … Continue reading
Secrets from the Fox Collection Revealed
The Cooper Gallery is delighted to announce the unveiling of five paintings from its Fox Collection, a gift from the children of James and Jane Fox in 1934, that have recently been conserved. The paintings, which depict landscapes and still … Continue reading
Wentworth Castle Gardens Estate Workers – We’re looking for clues!
The Archives & Research team at Wentworth Castle Gardens are looking for leads to help them research the lives and activities of the estate workers of the past. Have you anything that could help us? Many youths from local families … Continue reading
Elsecar Heritage Centre welcomes new changing places toilet facility
The new facility will make the attraction more accessible and inclusive for visitors. Elsecar Heritage Centre, the well-loved heritage attraction, has recently installed a Changing Places toilet facility to cater for the needs of disabled visitors, making the site more … Continue reading
Fusion’s Festival of Joy Arts Award Celebration Event
8th July 2024
Schools from across the borough came together for an inspiring night celebrating Fusion’s Arts Award Explore Programme at Horizon Community College. As part of Fusion’s Festival of Joy, close to 300 children completed their Arts Award journey thanks to support … Continue reading
Cooper Gallery nominated for Prestigious Award
The Cooper Gallery is thrilled to announce that they have been shortlisted for the Kids in Museums, Family Friendly Museum Award 2024 in the Best Accessible Museum category. This is in recognition of their efforts to make the gallery welcoming … Continue reading
Eldon Street Heritage Action Zone Celebration Event
9th July 2024 12pm – 4pm The Eldon Street HSHAZ project is coming to an end, and we want to celebrate the achievements and the legacy of the project with the people of Barnsley and beyond with a day of … Continue reading
Gawber School records available in Barnsley Archives for the first time
Historical documents from Gawber Primary School are now available to view in Barnsley Archives. Barnsley Archives and Local Studies, based in Barnsley Town Hall and part of Experience Barnsley Museum, has added fascinating documents relating to Gawber Primary School to … Continue reading
Artists bring a splash of colour to Barnsley
Vibrant and colourful artworks made from recycled furniture will travel around Barnsley raising a smile this summer. Barnsley based artists, Lenny and Whale, will be bringing their latest exciting project ‘Sanctuary of Colour’ to six locations across the borough during … Continue reading
Listing Upgrade for obelisk at Wentworth Castle Gardens
A familiar monument found in the gardens of Wentworth Castle, which honours the achievements of medical pioneer Lady Mary Wortley, was upgraded in December 2023 to Grade II* by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, on the advice of … Continue reading
Cannon Hall and the Polish Resettlement Corps Presentation
On 21st June, Cannon Hall hosted a fabulous get together for people who either had parents or family in the Polish armed forces during the Second World War or those who live in Barnsley and have Polish heritage. The event … Continue reading
A month of celebration planned at Wentworth Castle Gardens
5th June 2024
June 8 marks the fifth anniversary of the reopening of South Yorkshire’s Grade I listed landscape, Wentworth Castle Gardens. The National Trust work in partnership with Barnsley Council and Northern College to both care for the estate and make it … Continue reading
