Article by: Jessica Ruth Gibson, The Travelista

This month I visited the South Yorkshire town of Barnsley and the trip has really changed my perception about what this destination has to offer. After two days exploring the area, I’ve discovered how many creative, unique – and often free – things there are to do here. 

Whether you’re seeking art and creativity, history and countryside, a family-friendly day out or delicious foodie experiences, Barnsley brings a lot of choice. The locals are welcoming, friendly and have a real sense of pride about their home town. Read on to find out all the very best unique and free things to do in Barnsley and the wider area.

Free Things to do in Barnsley 

1. Cannon Hall Museum Park and Gardens

Cannon Hall is known across Yorkshire and is a place that really puts Barnsley on the map. However, it’s not to be confused with the connecting ‘Cannon Hall Farm’ which is a separate family friendly attraction which we cover further down in our second section. 

Cannon Hall Museum Park and Gardens are itself is entirely free to visit and consist of expansive grounds, the main house, an adventure playground, a walled garden, a florist and two cafes. Access inside the main house is also free (often containing rotating exhibits) and the grounds are dog-friendly. There are beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and it’s generally a really peaceful place to enjoy some history and fresh air. For kids, there is a playground, fairy garden and a sensory trail. 

Bring a picnic or grab a bite at the Pavillion Cafe or the Pear Tree Pantry. Both are situated on site. Park all day for £5 or for two hours at just £1. 

2. The Cooper Gallery

The Cooper Gallery is a free and family-friendly art gallery located in Barnsley town centre. There are a number of connecting rooms displaying both permanent and changing exhibitions as well as lots of thoughtful details to keep children engaged and entertained throughout any visit. It’s no surprise this art gallery has recently won an award for Best Accessible Museum in the Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Award 2024.

Don’t miss the cafe and the small outdoor courtyard and garden displaying additional works and unique outdoor sculptures. You could get around the Cooper Gallery in under an hour so I suggest combining it with a few of the other places included in this round up, such as the Experience Barnsley Museum.

3. Experience Barnsley Museum and Discovery Centre

Experience Barnsley Museum and Discovery Centre is also located in the heart of Barnsley in the magnificent Town Hall. This is a great place to visit if you want to understand Barnsley’s unique history, with stories told by real people who lived and worked in the town throughout different historical periods. It is by far one fo the best free things to do in Barnsley.

Barnsley’s history is deeply interwoven with the coal mining industry which is reflected in the museum. It’s a hands-on multi-media experience with lots of artefacts and story-telling throughout.

4. Barnsley Market

Finding Barnsley Market may not be immediately obvious, as it’s a traditional market housed in the modern development of The Glass Works shopping centre. It’s definitely a unique blend of old and new – but the market itself is just as you’d expect; with a blend of butchers, bakers, green grocers, haberdashery and bric a brac shops as well as hairdressers, barbers, clothing stalls and more.

Be sure to look out for Handaran, an incredible bakery-come-patisserie located inside Barnsley Market. I tried their pistachio cream-filled ‘moon choux’ which was beyond delicious and only £3. In a London patisserie this would definitely have been double the price.

5. The Victorian Arcade

The Victorian Arcade has to be included on this list as its tucked away and could so easily be missed, but it’s one of the best shopping streets in Barnsley for independent businesses. From cute book shops to retro records and craft shops to quirky cocktail bars, this Victorian Arcade is full of personality and hidden treasures.

My top tip for visiting the Victorian Arcade is to go upstairs in the Spiral City cocktail bar. They have an amazing retro space up there to socialise and enjoy cocktails as well as an original jukebox. This cocktail bar also has a connecting record store and is bursting with personality. I can’t vouch for the cocktails as we visited in the morning, but I’d definitely be curious to try them. 


The following shops are definitely worth a visit; Heart of Handmade, Bookshop, Red Robot, Spiral City (cocktail bar), The Potting Shed, The Victorian Tea Rooms.

6. Elsecar Heritage Centre

Operated by Barnsley Museums, Elsecar Heritage Centre is a unique collection of independent shops, studios., galleries and cafes housed in a former Victorian engineering workshop. There’s also a large antiques centre, so it’s a great place to go for a ‘mooch’ about – you never know what unique pieces or treasures you might find here. It’s a hub of creativity and production and it’s a real asset to the Barnsley area. Elescar Heritage Centre is another of the very best free things to do in Barnsley.

7. Barnsley Christmas Market (Seasonal: December)

After the success of last year’s event, Barnsley Christmas Market is coming back bigger and better. The event usually runs for around 4 days during early December and is hosted in partnership with the Glass Works. I’m going to be visiting Barnsley Christmas Markets this year so stay tuned on my social channels to get a better idea of what to expect.

8. Barnsley Live (Seasonal: June)

I heard about Barnsley Live whilst chatting to a local during my recent visit. She explained that Barnsley Live happens annually during a weekend in June, when all the pubs are filled with live music. The town comes alive with music and the general idea is to enjoy the the town by catching lots of different live music acts in one weekend. Money is raised for some great local causes and it sounds like a great way to bring people into the town as well as being something locals look forward to every year.

Unique Things to do in Barnsley

The following ‘things to do’ aren’t free but we feel they do represent good value for money based on the experience. Most of the things included in this list have been experienced by the author, including the restaurant recommendations. Where possible, we have included pricing, or an idea of price, to help you find ideas within your budget.

9. Yorkshire Sculpture Park

If you’re wanting to explore the wider area surrounding Barnsley, a day or half-day at The Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Whether you’re going for the great outdoors, nature or the spectacular art and sculptures, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park is a peaceful haven a stone’s throw from Barnsley. ITV’s Sarah Clark described it as ‘a place to admire and enjoy some of the best and most dynamic outdoor sculptures the world has to offer.”

Tickets cost £9.50 or £11 with Gift Aid and under 18’s go free.

10. The Secret Italian

For an incredibly unique, fun and memorable dining experience, it’s worth knowing about The Secret Italian. This tiny informal restaurant is hidden away in the most unassuming street in a Barnsley Industrial Estate. There’s no way you’d come across it unless you were in-the-know.

The concept is a bring-your-own booze restaurant with a set menu of lovingly prepared home-cooking. The set menu is £35 per person and includes 4 generous courses including a phenomenal Tiramisu dessert. As someone who has travelled a lot of Italy (and is slightly obsessed with good Italian food), I wouldn’t describe the food or produce to be authentically Italian – more like ‘Italian inspired’.

If you select a restaurant based on the food alone – this place may not be for you. But the overall experience is very fun, memorable and although the space is small, there is brilliant communal atmosphere that I haven’t seen in many other places. The concept is loved by locals who are returning over and over again and is something truly unique to Barnsley.

Another thing to mention about the experience is the wonderful and welcoming host Mags, who takes you under her wing as if you were family. The hosting, atmosphere and service is 10/10. Mags is an extraordinary woman who certainly isn’t afraid of living life on her own timeline.

Reservations are essential but beware that the restaurant is often fully booked for up to 3 months ahead. It’s worth checking out the Facebook page for last minute availability.

Read this Yorkshire Post review of The Secret Italian

11. Cannon Hall Farm

Cannon Hall Farm is an award-winning family attraction, with seasonal events and experiences all year round. All based around a working farm with plenty of livestock and animals to meet, there’s also an adventure playground, indoor play
zone, gift shop, the White Bull restaurant and a dog-friendly cafe. There’s so much to keep the kids entertained here all day, with special events during Easter, Summer, Halloween and Christmas.

Weekday tickets cost at £7.95 per adult or child over 2 and weekend tickets cost £14.95 per adult or child over 2. Children under 2 go free.

12. Calypso Cove Water Park

If you’re planning a visit during bad weather or simply have year-round water babies, a visit to Barnsley’s Calypso Cove Water Park is a fun experience for children of all ages. Located inside Barnsley Metrodome, the water park is based around a pirate theme and features a large shallow toddler area with fountains and water play, a mini pirate ship slide as well as longer racer slides for all the family. Older children will enjoy the tube slides ‘Eruption’ and ‘Terror Torrent’ (1.2m height requirement).

13. Try a Craft Workshop at Heart of Handmade

Tucked away in Barnsley’s Victorian Arcade is a craft and art shop called Heart of Handmade. It features works and products created by local artists, including the shop owner, Emily. In the back of the shop and on the first floor are spaces for group workshops on a wide range of creative and artistic techniques. They also run workshops for children which are often based around a theme such as Halloween and Halloween.

I was lucky enough to join one of Emily’s workshop on Encaustic art (£30 for 2 hours), which is a technique that involves melting wax on to a craft iron. The two hour workshop flew by as I was so absorbed in the creative activity which actually felt really therapeutic. I went home with 2 framed pieces that I actually felt really proud of in the end.

2 hour workshop prices start from £8.50 up to £45 per person. Visit the Heart of Handmade website for upcoming workshops.

14. Try a Viral Dessert from Dolly’s Desserts

Dolly’s Desserts became a viral hit on TikTok and has since been on the map in Barnsley as the top dessert cafe. Offering everything from gooey filled cookies to mini donut stacks and sweet waffle wraps, the taste combinations at Dolly’s are endless. Not only that, but the quality of the desserts are 10/10 and provide really good value for money. If you fancy indulging in Barnsley, this is the place. You’ll find a Dolly’s Dessert stand in Barnsley Market as well as a sit-in cafe within the Glass Works shopping centre, near to Flannels.

15. Tapas and Cocktails at The Salt House

For a stylish and aesthetic dining experience with great service, I can definitely recommend The Salt House. Located in the heart of Barnsley town centre, it’s the perfect place to stop for lunch or to begin your evening out. The tapas menu of sharing plates has so many delicious options including duck bao buns, chicken teriyaki skewers and spring rolls. The cocktails were also fantastic and had a perfect balance of flavours.

16. Wentworth Castle Gardens – A National Trust Estate

National Trust Members will be pleased to know that Wentworth Castle Gardens is located a 10 minute drive from Barnsley town centre. Whilst the main House is closed to the public as an adult learning college, there is plenty discover surrounding it. You can expect to find a great adventure playground, cafe and shop as well as glorious gardens and woodland.

National Trust members can enter for free or non-members pay £6 per person and £3 per child. Family tickets cost £15.00.

‘Barnsley in a Day’ – Mini Itinerary

I’ve put together this mini AM and PM day itinerary for visiting Barnsley town centre, which includes as many of the suggestions in this article as possible, all in a logical order.

Morning

• Cooper Gallery (free)
• Experience Barnsley Museum and Discovery Centre
• Lunch at The Salt House
• Barnsley Market (free)

Afternoon

• Try an indulgent sweet treat from Dolly’s Desserts
• Go shopping in the Victorian Arcade (free to browse)
• Elsecar Heritage Centre (free)

Evening

• Dinner at Secret Italian
• Drinks at Spiral City cocktail bar
• Overnight at Tankersley Manor

Where to Stay – Hotels in Barnsley

If you’re looking for a place to stay during your visit to Barnsley, I can recommend Tankersley Manor. Part of the Mercure group, Tankersley Manor offers a peaceful 17th century manor house retreat with great access to the M1. The Tankersley Manor Spa has recently re-opened after a major refurbishment, offering guests a wonderful relaxing haven and a wide selection of spa, massage and beauty treatments. Tankersley Manor offered us a brilliant base to explore the town of Barnsley and the wider surrounding area, and being 1 minute from Junction 36 off the M1, it was also incredible easy to access.

Search for the best hotels in Barnsley and the surrounding area.

With so many unique and free things to do in Barnsley and the surrounding area, maybe you’ll pay a visit and let it surprise you. Just like it surprised me.

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