Visit to Cusworth Hall Museum and Park 

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 few pastries and a cheerful start to the day, our coach driver, Lee from Globe, brought us safely to Cusworth Hall.  

We began with a guided tour led by Nicola, the Collections and Exhibitions Officer, who introduced the house and its family history. Nicola also touched on various social and political themes that closely echo Cannon Hall Museum’s story, from the lack of an heir to inherit the estate to its later transformation into a museum. The house is much larger than Cannon Hall.  

I was very impressed by the chapel added by architect James Paine shortly after the marriage of William Wrightson’s daughter, Isabella, to John Battie of Warmsworth in 1784. The family continued to use the chapel until Robert Cecil Battie-Wrightson died in 1950. In 2007, Doncaster Council restored the chapel with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.  

Between 1974 and 2005, the museum was known as The Museum of South Yorkshire Life. It reopened to the public as Cusworth Hall Museum and Park in 2007. Its collections explore life in Doncaster from the 1700s to the present day, covering social history themes such as religion, mining and health.  

In the afternoon, Head Gardener David gave us a tour of the park and walled garden, designed and created by landscape architect Richard Woods. The walled garden was particularly impressive and reflected the hard work of David’s team and volunteers. Our visit was both enjoyable and inspiring, as Cusworth Hall and Park share many similarities with Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens.  

Thanks to Awards for All funding, volunteers have also been able to visit Hardwick Hall and Kiplin Hall and have been able to learn so much from the volunteers there to increase their own skills and enhance the visitor experience at Cannon Hall. These trips also help volunteers stay active, socialise, meet new people and engage with heritage reducing the risk of loneliness and isolation and improving wellbeing. It’s also a great opportunity to fly the flag of Barnsley Museums and the brilliant work they do.    

Sheuran Tan 

Cannon Hall Volunteer Project Manager 

‘’Monday’s trip to Cusworth Hall was a great day and an opportunity to see another beautiful country house and museum in our area. The volunteers were treated to a guided tour of Cusworth including a talk on family history and a tour of the stunning walled gardens. It was interesting to compare Cusworth to Cannon Hall as they are country houses of a similar era. In terms of exhibits, Cusworth focuses on social history in the Doncaster area. There are many fascinating displays including original textiles and clothing which I found particularly interesting. At Cannon Hall we are very fortunate to have an extensive and prestigious collection of furniture and paintings on display which really bring the house to life in all its Georgian splendour. 

Our trips to visit other properties are good for variety of reasons. Brilliant to see how other places operate / how they present their offering, tips, ideas etc. Great socially for volunteers especially those needing more support. Don’t think it can be underestimated how key the activities such as country house trips, wellbeing workshops, talks and training are in keeping volunteers engaged. They have been enjoyable, educational etc. but most importantly create a sense of team as well as keep momentum going over winter closure season.’’ 

Clare, Cannon Hall Museum House Volunteer