Heritage Open Days in Barnsley 2026

Heritage Open Days 2026 brings Barnsley's history to life with more than 15 free events

Visitors are invited to discover Barnsley's rich heritage during Heritage Open Days 2026, with more than 10 free events taking place across the borough from 11 to 20 September. The national festival celebrates local history, architecture, culture and community stories, offering unique opportunities to explore some of Barnsley's most fascinating historic sites

We're always keen to promote other events on the Barnsley Heritage Connects socials. Get in touch via Facebook or email 

Small historic stone chapel with arched doorway and bell tower, featuring scalloped edges on the roof. The building stands under a blue sky with a tree and houses visible in the background.

St.Michael And All Angels Church, Great Houghton (12 Sept)

A two-story white building with peach trim sits on a street corner. It has a bay window, a stone wall, a blue sign, and a hanging shop sign. There’s a sandwich board on the sidewalk near the entrance.

Darfield Museum (12,15,19 Sept)

A two-story stone building with green-trimmed windows and doors, a tall arched central window, and a black street lamp in front under a clear blue sky.

Elsecar Heritage Centre (11-19 Sept)

Old stone church with tall arched windows, a clock tower, and a pointed spire. Gravestones and a tall evergreen tree stand in the grassy churchyard. Sunlight filters through branches in the foreground.

St Mary's Worsbrough Church (12-13 Sept)

A stone church with arched windows and a tower stands in sunlight, surrounded by gravestones and lush green trees.

All Saints Darfield (12-13 Sept)

A group of people, some with backpacks and hats, stand on a city sidewalk looking at a historic building with a clock tower on a cloudy day.

Barnsley Civic Trust town centre heritage walk (17 Sept)

Black and white drawing of an old industrial factory with a tall smokestack emitting smoke, several buildings, and a canal with a barge in front.

Friends Of Hemingfield Colliery (12,13,19, 20 Sept)

Stone church with a tall square tower, arched windows, and spires at the corners, set against a cloudy sky with grass and trees surrounding the building.

St Peter's Church, Felkirk (12 Sept)

Aerial view of a wetland nature reserve with winding waterways, small islands, green patches, and distant trees under a clear blue sky.

RSPB Old Moor (12-20 Sept)

A narrow path leads to an old brick building with a metal tower, silhouetted by the setting sun, surrounded by grass and bare trees.

Barnsley Main Heritage Group (14 Sept)

Poster for “Lives Behind the Counters” event at Wombwell Cemetery, 17th–19th September, 10am–2pm, featuring history displays, grave finding, chapel open day, refreshments, cakes, and self-guided tours.

Friends of Wombwell Cemetery (17-19 Sept)

A large garden with a white glass conservatory, red planters on a paved area, lush greenery, and a historic stone building under a cloudy sky.

Wentworth Castle Gardens (18-20 Sept)

An old, crumbling brick fireplace stands in a dusty, abandoned room with exposed brick walls, wooden doors, and debris scattered on the floor.

Hoylandswaine Nail Forge (19 Sept)

A row of shops including a hair salon, chemist, restaurant, and bakery sits beneath an ornate, historic stone building with round windows and archways. People walk along the sidewalk in front.

Barnsley Civic (13, 15, 17 Sept)

Interior of a rustic barn with stone walls, exposed beams, old machinery, a blue wheelbarrow, tables, and various vintage items arranged around the space. Light streams through small windows.

New Hall Cruck Barn (19 Sept)