Barnsley Town

Wednesday 13 June 2007

» About Barnsley

Barnsley was made rich by the vast coal mines that existed here for hundreds of years, these have long gone, but the heritage and traditions of a proud industrial town live on. The town is also immensely proud of its character as a market town, it received its first Market Charter from Henry III in 1249, and markets have been a feature of the town ever since.


This is an attractive town laid out along the River Dearne, it is enclosed by spectacular Pennine scenery and is an ideal place from which to discover the limestone hills and fresh green valley's of the Yorkshire Dales. In this precious landscape there is a host of pleasant country lanes amidst rolling farmland where the visitor can wander, enjoying perfect peace and stillness, gaze at scampering streams edged with picturesque water-meadows full of grazing cattle and sheep.In Barnsley itself there are many interesting sites to see, these include the town's impressive Town Hall fronted by an equally impressive War Memorial, the statue to Sir Joseph Locke and the Locke Tower, both of which can be found in the attractive gardens of Locke Park, along with a gaily painted Victorian bandstand used for musical concerts during the summer.


From the town's mining and clothing heritage there remains many beautiful old cottages, these were once occupied by the families of mine and mill workers. Today, these have mostly been refurbished to offer the modern facilities demanded by a different society.


A short distance to the south of Barnsley lies Worsbrough Dale, here visitors can explore a restored corn mill, with parts dating back to 1625 when it would have been driven by water. Today, this mill still produces wheatmeal flour and bran flakes, both can be purchased from the mill shop. Worsbrough Mill Museum, perfectly illustrates the history of the mills of the area, and celebrates the fact that a mill has been in this pretty waterside region since the time of the Doomsday Book.


The town offers plenty of scope for shopping, apart from its famous market, it has individual boutiques and the larger retail out-lets. There are attractive old inns, modern pubs, restaurants and cafe's. A taste of culture is delivered by the Design Centre and the newly refurbished Cooper Gallery. Night Clubs provide entertainment for anyone wishing to dance from dusk to dawn.


A wealth of wildlife habitats can be explored along river, canal and reservoir banks, and visitors can enjoy the experience a Deer Farm at Worsbrough.


On an historic note: Barnsley's origins date back to Norman times, when most of the land in these parts belonged to the great priories of Pontefract and Monk Bretton. The spectacular ruins of Monk Bretton Priory lie two miles to the north of the town, here in a marvellous, atmospheric landscape surrounded by rolling wooded countryside, visitors can explore what is left of the magnificent priory and see how the monks of yester-year lived.

Labels: Barnsley History, Barnsley Info

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