Barnsley is a town and the capital of the district of the same name in South Yorkshire, located on the River Dearne, just 19 kilometers from Sheffield.
The town’s name, Berneslai, was first mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. The name is believed to derive from the Saxon word “berne,” meaning “barn.” In the 1150s, it became the property of the monastery of Pontefract.
Local monks decided to build a new town at the intersection of three roads: from Sheffield to Wayfield, from Rotherham to Huddersfield, and from Cheshire to Doncaster.
The new town grew and developed rapidly. The monks built St. Mary’s Chapel and a market square. In 1249, the king granted trading privileges, allowing a market every Wednesday and a four-day fair once a year. By 1290, the townspeople were able to hold a fair three times a year.
In the 17th century, Barnsley became a transit point between large cities. By this time, many inns, coaching inns, and merchant and textile shops had been built in the town.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the town became a center of linen production. In the early 20th century, Barnsley absorbed nearby villages, thereby expanding its area.
Attractions
Construction of the Town Hall began in April 1932. The Prince of Wales attended its opening after its completion. Until 2013, the building housed the local government, when it was repurposed as a museum of urban history.
Near the town is the famous Ordnance Museum, surrounded by beautiful parkland. It is located in the former Spencer family mansion. It displays collections of antique furniture, weapons, paintings, glassware, and ceramics. The building was constructed from local sandstone and faced with white cut stone.
Wentworth Castle was the former country residence of the Earls of Strafford. Its last owner, Bruce Vernon-Wentworth, sold the house and its surrounding gardens in 1948. It then housed a teacher training college until 1978. After the completion of its renovation and improvements, the castle became accessible to visitors.
Barnsley is famous for its brass bands. They were originally formed by local miners’ clubs. The most famous of these is the Grimethorpe Colliery band.
