Things to do in Barnsley

Admittedly, this South Yorkshire town isn’t always the first place on people’s lists when they’re planning a trip to this corner of the country. Perhaps that’s doing Barnsley a disservice, though. For starters, the food scene isn’t the biggest, but there are a handful of restaurants that stand up to Yorkshire’s finest. Ale enthusiasts will be astounded at the quality of some of Barnsley’s pubs. In the surrounding countryside you’ll find stately homes, and in the town centre there’s galleries, family activities, and a surprisingly good entertainment scene with gig venues and theatres galore. Whichever one of our Barnsley hotels you stay at there’s always something for you to do nearby, so without any further ado, read on and see what Barnsley has to offer.

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Activities

Take your pick from great days out and fun-filled activities with our local guide. You’ll find a world-class bowling alley, an exceptional country house, and – if you’re visiting with family – a waterpark with fantastic flumes and a wicked wave pool.

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Entertainment

We understand if you’re not expecting much of an entertainment scene from Barnsley. Surprise, surprise we actually have half a dozen theatre and live music venues to tell you about. Of course, you can always catch a Barnsley FC home game at Oakwell, too.

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Places to eat

We took on the arduous task of eating our way around the restaurants and cafés of Barnsley to point you in the direction of the best curry house, grill restaurant, Italian trattoria, and snooker hall bistro in the area. Read on for our best picks.

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Nightlife

Whether you simply want a quiet pint in Barnsley’s CAMRA pub of the year, a gin palace disguised as a rustic country inn, or a few hours of late night dancing and fishbowl cocktails, we’ve got you covered.

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Shopping

If you fancy a spot of shopping during your stay in Barnsley, right now your best bet would be a trip to the Alhambra Shopping Centre, where you’ll find popular retailers such as Primark, TK Maxx, and Next. Alternatively, you can head over the road from the Barnsley Interchange to hunt down a bargain at Barnsley Market, perusing its hundred-strong selection of stalls where you’ll find perfume, pastries, florists, fishmongers and plenty more. Exciting times lie ahead for shopaholics; the first phase of The Glass Works is soon to be completed, bringing 26 shops, a Cineworld, and several new restaurants to Barnsley town centre.

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Getting Around

When it comes to getting around Barnsley, the town’s main transport hub is the Barnsley Interchange, which you’ll find in the centre of town. It’s a combined rail and bus station with Stagecoach and Northern services helping you make your way around Yorkshire. Alternatively, if you’re travelling from further afield, the Doncaster Sheffield Airport is your nearest option. However, it’s 20 miles and a 35-minute drive from our Barnsley (Dearne Valley) hotel, so catching a taxi might be a touch pricey. It may be more affordable to hire a car from the arrivals lounge. Alternatively, can catch the bus from Terminal 1 into Doncaster, then travel via bus or rail to the Barnsley Interchange.

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Barnsley shopping

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Getting around Barnsley

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