Barnsley Town centre shops and attractions
Barnsley is a great place to live and study with lots going on. It’s friendly, easy on the pocket and if you want to venture out of the town, you’re on the doorstep of many other exciting places.
Just a short drive from Sheffield and Leeds, Barnsley is also close to some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK.
Social
There are many bars, pubs and restaurants to enjoy during your time here whether you fancy a quick snack from Subway, a Nando’s or a slice of homemade cake in the Victorian Tea Rooms. The
Market Kitchen contains a wide range of food outlets, is on the first floor of the market hall and has seating for over 500 people. There’s a terrace with outdoor seating and views across the public square.
You don’t have to go far to get great food and drink either as Barnsley College also has its own catering outlets, including Starbucks in the Old Mill Lane campus and the Sci Tech Digital Innovation Hub!
There are plenty of shops in Barnsley town centre, from River Island to Boots, New Look to TK Maxx, and Primark to Next. The new Glassworks is an impressive addition to the town centre and the large, recently refurbished market has many stalls. Meadowhall Shopping Centre is also nearby; you can get there in just 15 minutes on the train.
The music scene provides lots of gigs and festivals such as Live in Barnsley, a free indoor music festival. There’s also the award-winning Tramlines festival which takes place in the summer in nearby Sheffield.
For classical music in the town, look no further than events from Ensemble 360, a collection of musicians from across the globe who perform at events in the town. For bigger music events the Arena in Sheffield is just a 20-minute drive away.
Barnsley’s Parkway cinema, or Cineworld in the Glassworks, have the latest film releases while The Lamproom Theatre or Barnsley Civic show a range of productions throughout the year.
Museums
Barnsley has a vibrant art and culture scene with something for everyone.
The Experience Barnsley museum and discovery centre brings the history of the town to life through photography, films and centuries-old artefacts. Entry to the museum is free and it’s well worth a visit for a fun and interesting day out.
The Civic provides access to drama, art, music and family entertainment in stunning surroundings.
The Cooper Gallery displays work by local artists and designers as well as exhibitions featuring renowned artists such as JM
W Turner, Paul Nash, Henry Moore and John Atkinson Grimshaw.
The Yorkshire Sculpture Park is also nearby and features work from a variety of artists in both indoor and outdoor settings.
Sports
A number of leisure centres offer student discounts on membership fees.
Barnsley College students have access to the Honeywell Sports Village where facilities include a third-generation synthetic turf pitch, a sports hall and multi-use games area.
There’s also bowling, swimming and a gym just a short walk from the town centre at the Metrodome Leisure Complex to keep you fit during your time here.
Barnsley FC may be familiar too. The club’s ground, Oakwell, is less than a mile from the town centre.
To find out more about the town go to www.visit-barnsley.com
Photos by Alex Hollinworth
Last updated: 26th June 2024