Try something new at C-MADE Outdoors  

Start your trip with something adventurous. C-MADE Outdoors offers an amazing range of outdoor activities, including quad biking, axe-throwing, and archery. We opted for quad biking and axe-throwing on our visit. Having never driven a quad bike before, Sean, the site owner, gave us a lesson and lots of helpful advice before leading us around the farm, where we were lucky enough to meet the resident chickens, cows, sheep, goats, and donkeys!

If you’d like to extend your day-trip into a full weekend, they have a camping field on site and offer hassle free says which include camping equipment. If you have your own gear at home, they also have pitches from just £20.  

C-MADE Outdoors is a fantastic option for groups, couples, and families.  

Explore Pot House Hamlet  

A short drive from C-MADE Outdoors you’ll find one of Barnsley's most charming spots. Pot House Hamlet is home to a free petting farm, making it a brilliant stop if you're visiting with children (or are just animal lovers yourselves like us). Alongside this, you’ll find a lovely collection of independent businesses.  

Book a treatment at the wellness tower, visit the candle maker and hear about the travels which inspired the business, and take your time wandering around the Plant Nursery before stopping for lunch at The Potting Shed Café. The specials are well worth ordering, and their gelato is delicious too! This is a lovely, relaxed spot to recharge before heading into town.  

Visit the Cleopatra and the Queens of Egypt Exhibition

Head into Barnsley’s town centre for a cultural experience. The Experience Barnsley Museum has some amazing and immersive permanent displays. For a limited time, you can also learn about 5000 years of female Egyptian history through the Cleopatra and the Queens of Egypt exhibition.  

In the permanent collection, we loved the Chamber of Treasures, which is filled with local historical objects such as an Olympic running vest worn by Barnsley's own champion, Dorothy Hyman, at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome.  

Wander Through the Victorian Arcade

Just a short walk from the museum, you’ll find the Victorian Arcade - a historic cobbled shopping space with micropubs, cafes, a vinyl shop, a book shop, and more.  

This is a lovely place to explore on your walk towards The Glass Works Square.  

Discover The Glass Works

Barnsley's Glass Works development has transformed the town centre into a lively, modern space. The square is a great place to stop and people-watch, especially on a sunny day like the one we had when visiting. We loved sitting by the fountains, taking in the sculptures, and watching the town go about its day.  

From here you can explore the high street shops, visit the Library @ the Lightbox, and browse Barnsley Markets. A few highlights worth seeking out include: Dolly's Desserts for something sweet, Bubble and Squeeze for a drink, and the Milk from the Hills vending machine, which dispenses fresh local milk in the heart of the town centre.

Spend Your Evening at Falco Lounge

When it comes to spending your evening in Barnsley, Falco Lounge is a great choice. Spread across two floors with views over The Glass Works square, it's a relaxed bar and restaurant with a menu that caters for everyone (and the decor is great here too).

Gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options sit on a large menu of sharing plates and mains. Highlights for us were the tapas sharing platter, spicy brisket tacos, and vegan cheeseburger. Whether you're after a full dinner or just drinks and small plates, it's a welcoming place to wind down after a busy day!   

End Your Day at the Yorkshire Roses Sculptures

Save the Yorkshire Roses sculptures for last, and you'll finish your Barnsley visit on a high. These striking floral sculptures are free to visit, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week - and as the light fades, they look even more beautiful.  

The sculptures light up, talk, and play music, creating a magical experience. It's a fitting end to a day that proves Barnsley’s a town well worth exploring!