Things To Do In Barnsley

Make It Yours
There’s something for everyone to enjoy in Barnsley.

Whether you’re visiting for the day, a weekend, or longer, you’ll find a wide range of things to do; from activities, events, markets and festivals to great food and drink, shopping and more.

What's On Next In Barnsley

Things To Do For Families

Indoors

Looking for something to do for the whole family on a rainy day? Barnsley offers an array of indoor activities! Go see a show at The Academy Theatre, or watch a film at Penistone Paramount or Parkway Cinema. Enjoy bowling and soft play at Superbowl UK. Or head to Barnsley Markets where you can wander the aisles, shop and eat at over 100 stalls.

Outdoors

Barnsley's known for its outdoor spaces, with lots to do for the little ones too. Meet animals, visit the farm shop and try out two brand-new playgrounds at Cannon Hall Farm. Or head to RSPB Old Moor to experience wildlife and enjoy their adventure playground. There are parks and outdoor spaces across the borough that are great for families, so you're never low on green space to enjoy!

Fun activities

Visiting Barnsley and looking for some family fun? Head to Wigfield Farm to feed the animals or spend an afternoon wandering Elsecar Park and Reservoir. And be sure to get Underneath the Stars Festival in your calendar — free of charge for children under seven!

Places to eat

Whether you're in the town centre or exploring Barnsley’s boroughs, you’ll find places to eat that cater to the whole family. Try something new at Market Kitchen in The Glass Works, or head to restaurants that welcome little ones. Many of Barnsley’s key destinations like Wentworth Castle Gardens and Cannon Hall have food venues, so you’ll never go hungry while exploring.

Educational adventures

There’s an array of educational activities to keep little minds busy while visiting Barnsley. Learn about stories of the town and borough at Experience Barnsley Museum & Discovery Centre, or head to the Maurice Dobson Museum in Darfield to learn about the area’s long and industrial social history.

Get active

Want to get active as a family? Head to Barnsley Metrodome to enjoy an afternoon of aquatic adventure at the Waterpark or try some bowling at the state-of-the-art bowling alley. There are green spaces across the borough to play sport, cycle or get walking too!

For Individuals & Couples

Indoors

If you’re looking to stay indoors while on your visit to Barnsley, you’ll find more than enough to do! Experience 100+ stalls at Barnsley Market or meet a friend for a drink at Market Kitchen. Head to a comedy show at Barnsley Civic or watch a film at Barnsley’s 100+ year-old cinema, the Penistone Paramount.

Outdoors

As the doorway to the countryside, you’re never far from brilliant outdoor spaces in Barnsley. Worsbrough Mill is a working mill and country park, where you can experience wildlife and natural habitats in a 240-acre nature reserve. Or enjoy world-class fishing at Worsbrough Reservoir.

At Wentworth Castle Gardens you can stroll through stunning grounds and wander 500 acres of rolling parkland with herds of fallow and red deer. It’s just a 20-minute drive from Cannon Hall Museum Park and Gardens, with picturesque scenery and home to a variety of birds and animals.

Fun activities

Whether you’re visiting on your own or with a friend, there’s lots of fun to be had in Barnsley! At Pot House Hamlet you can explore independents and cafés, or have a picnic. Experience the permanent collections, or check out a new exhibition at The Cooper Art Gallery. Or head to The Glass Works for an afternoon of shopping and leisure!

Places to eat

Visitors to Barnsley never go hungry! In the town centre, you’ll find a mix of well-loved restaurant brands, independent venues and street food for on-the-go. If you’re exploring green spaces and some of Barnsely’s historic parks and gardens, you’ll find a range of cafés and farm shops to pick up local produce.

Educational adventures

Learn about Barnsley’s heritage and culture and hear stories from its past at Experience Barnsley Museum & Discovery Centre. Visit Monk Bretton Priory to experience a medieval priory first-hand. Or get a guided tour of Maurice Dobson Museum where you can find out about Darton’s long and industrial social history.

Get active

It’s easy to get active in Barnsley! Walk, run or cycle the Trans Pennine Trail, on your own or with a partner. Swim or do paddlesports at the beautiful Manvers Lake. And hike hills or take a ramble through countryside at locations across the borough.

For Groups

Indoors

Looking for a group activity on a rainy day? At Elsecar Heritage Centre you can visit shops, studios, and galleries, all within the former iron and coalworks. Or check out a show or theatre production at places like the Dearne Playhouse and Barnsley Civic.

Outdoors

Barnsley is an ideal destination for groups looking to explore outdoor spaces. There’s just so much to do! Experience a working mill, country park and 240-acre nature reserve at Worsbrough Mill. Or head to Wombwell Wood for stunning woodland and some of the best bird-watching in the area.

Fun activities

There are lots of fun activities for groups in Barnsley. At Yorkshire Sculpture Park you can experience some of the world's best art in beautiful open spaces. If you’re a group of football fans, you can cheer on Barnsley Football Club at Oakwell Stadium. 

You can also check out the town centre events programme to see what's on next in Barnsley. There are many free festival-style events throughout the year focused on; music, food, drink, art and culture. Planning on visiting in August for example? Head to Underneath the Stars festival for a weekend of great food and drink.

Places to eat

Great food in Barnsley for groups is never too far away. The Glass Works is home to many well-known restaurant chains that cater for larger parties, while Market Kitchen is always a relaxed place to gather. If the weather is looking nice, why not pick up local produce from farm shops like Cannon Hall Farm and have a picnic?

Educational adventures

There’s so much history, culture and art to enjoy in Barnsley, making it great for groups who want to experience the past or learn something new. At Experience Barnsley Museum & Discovery Centre, you can learn stories and pursue the archive from the town and Borough. A short walk from the museum brings you to The Cooper Art Gallery where you can enjoy their permanent collection and new exhibitions. Or, why not head to Monk Bretton Priory and visit the medieval priory ruins?

Get active

Want to get active as a group? Whether you’re a cyclist, runner or walker, the Trans Pennine Trail makes for an energising adventure together. At Rabbit Ings Country Park you can walk, cycle trails, or play sports on their pitches. The nearby Royston Leisure Centre is home to a range of leisure and fitness activities for people of all ages.

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