Church/ Cathedral/ Monastery

Monk Bretton Priory

The ruins of Monk Bretton Priory lie approximately four kilometres to the east of Barnsley town centre. Dating from the 12th century the site now consists largely of ruins but includes a very well preserved 15th century gatehouse. It was founded by Robert de Lacy who had his base at nearby Pontefract Castle. Monk Bretton Priory is owned by Barnsley County Council but is under the care of English Heritage. Access is free and it is open daily throughout the year, except 24th, 25th, 26th Decemb [more]The ruins of Monk Bretton Priory lie approximately four kilometres to the east of Barnsley town centre. Dating from the 12th century the site now consists largely of ruins but includes a very well preserved 15th century gatehouse. It was founded by Robert de Lacy who had his base at nearby Pontefract Castle. Monk Bretton Priory is owned by Barnsley County Council but is under the care of English Heritage. Access is free and it is open daily throughout the year, except 24th, 25th, 26th December and 1st January. It is open from 10am until 6pm during the summer months and from 10am until 4pm during the winter months.

Nature Spot

Old Moor Nature Reserve

The Old Moor Nature Reserve is a 250 acre wetland site in the Dearne Valley that incorporates the former Wath Ings Reserve. It lies in an area where coal mining activities have created dozens of low lying pools, which have subsequently flooded and developed into a haven for wildlife. It is especially noted for its bird life. In 1998 this whole area was acquired by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). There are five different purpose built observation hides as well as a visit [more]The Old Moor Nature Reserve is a 250 acre wetland site in the Dearne Valley that incorporates the former Wath Ings Reserve. It lies in an area where coal mining activities have created dozens of low lying pools, which have subsequently flooded and developed into a haven for wildlife. It is especially noted for its bird life. In 1998 this whole area was acquired by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). There are five different purpose built observation hides as well as a visitors centre with disabled toilets, a tea room and a shop. There is also a large car park. Guided tours of the reserve take place every Sunday morning. Admission to the Old Moor Nature Reserve is free to RSPB members, but for non-members the cost is: Adults - £2.50 (3.25 Euros) Concessions - £2.00 (3 Euros) Children - £1.25 (2 Euros) Family ticket - £5.00 (7.5 Euros) The reserve is open daily from 9.30 am until 5pm from the beginning of February until the end of October. Between Novembe

Museum/ Exhibition/ Gallery

Cooper Gallery

The Cooper Gallery hosts temporary exhibitions of arts and crafts throughout the year with an emphasis on local artists. It is also home to a permanent collection of watercolours and drawings from the 17th century through to the 20th century. Each April this location hosts the South Yorkshire Open Art exhibition. There is a café on site and also a craft shop where items including ceramics, jewellery, pictures and textiles are on display and can also be purchased. Admission is free. The [more]The Cooper Gallery hosts temporary exhibitions of arts and crafts throughout the year with an emphasis on local artists. It is also home to a permanent collection of watercolours and drawings from the 17th century through to the 20th century. Each April this location hosts the South Yorkshire Open Art exhibition. There is a café on site and also a craft shop where items including ceramics, jewellery, pictures and textiles are on display and can also be purchased. Admission is free. The Cooper Gallery is open daily (except Sundays) from 10.30am until 4pm each day, except Saturday when it is open from 10am until 3pm.

Shopping

Alhambara Centre

The Alhambara Shopping Centre is also known as The Mall Barnsley and is located adjacent to the town centre markets. There are 41 different stores inside the centre, which are all undercover . It opened in 1991 and is Barnsley's largest shopping complex. It plays host to an indoor German Christmas Market each December.

It is open daily from 9am until 5.30pm Monday through to Saturday and from 10am until 4pm on Sundays.

Building

Town Hall

Barnsley's Town Hall was built in 1932 and is the seat of the local Government, Barnsley County Council. It is constructed from Portland stone and its design resembles the Parliament buildings at Stormont in Northern Ireland. The facades of both of these buildings are sculptured from the same Portland stone. The town hall houses the registrar for births, marriages and deaths and there are other public areas of the building that can also be visited . Tours of the parts of the building that ar [more]Barnsley's Town Hall was built in 1932 and is the seat of the local Government, Barnsley County Council. It is constructed from Portland stone and its design resembles the Parliament buildings at Stormont in Northern Ireland. The facades of both of these buildings are sculptured from the same Portland stone. The town hall houses the registrar for births, marriages and deaths and there are other public areas of the building that can also be visited . Tours of the parts of the building that are not normally accessible to the general public take place on a few special days each year.

Church/ Cathedral/ Monastery

St Mary's Church

Largely dating from the first quarter of the 19th century St Mary's Church occupies a prominent location in the town centre close to the Town Hall. This is the parish church of Barnsley and the foundations of this church date from the 8th century whilst the tower was built during the 15th century. The present church was completely renovated in 1822 and is now a Grade 2 listed building.

Entry is free and the church is open daily from 9am until 3pm