Elsecar Heritage Centre — Attraction in Barnsley

A place of significant industrial history with the original buildings still standing (built 1850) , the steam powered beam engine water pump built in 1787 also in-situ ( but no longer run on steam but on hydraulics). Throughout the buildings there are information plaques giving information and pictures in historical order. The site was built by Earl Wentworth, and onced owned and run by the National Coal Board and now in the custody of Barnsley Council. The buildings are now used by small businesses making and selling bespoke goods at reasonable prices , one large building has been taken over by an auction Business and it's full of everything you can imagine, this alone can take hours off your visit. There are refreshment places serving food and drinks , the original pub at the entrance to the site is still serving beer and is worth looking around to get that Victorian feel , you can even book in for a nights rest. I saw two rest rooms on site and the parking is free , it also has two charging points. The main car park is generous and also as a overspill car park. You will need to make a short walk to visit the Newscome Beam Engine but it's worth it . A canal is on the doorstep as is footpaths were you can explore this...

An overcast day and cool which added atmosphere to site. Hadn't visited for 8 years. Overflow car park new and offers access to bottom of site ehich I enjoyed as opposite oldest steam beam engine pump house and railwY line. You can enter by railway or shops at other side of events building Preferred walking up by dug up tracks and restored railway station and then working way around site. New shops notesbly craft shop and eco friendly health shop and bar room with expensive but unique beer shop. Interpretation boards good but not quite enough info. Very small information room great video but far too short and lacking information. Emily's sweetshop cannot fail to bring back memories for anyone..old fashioned and all the time in the world to choose. Curios and quirks would best describe main antiques centre. Eateries OK but small. Surrounding area of significant historical Interest. Railway sadly never supported by Elsecar heritage Trust but now as has gone into administration looking to incorporate it within site but talking to people on site could be three years at least and not likely to have heritage colliery steam trains. If railway buff still...

Lots of history here, beautifully restored industrial buildings make a great setting to sit with a snack or meal from either of the two cafes on site (Inside and outdoor seating available). You can take your lunch to the tables outside the "Beer" shop and have an extremely good value beer or lager with it.(Dog friendly). The craft shop on site is very well stocked, there's a ladies shoe shop, vinyl record store, furniture, home accessories and lots more which you can look up on the website. The cafes don't have toilets but there are two blocks including disabled nearby. It's worth mentioning that the Antiques centre is selling lovely garden plants from a big display at the front of the building. Free parking with lots of space and the bus stop for buses from Barnsley is nearby. It's not far from Elsecar railway station and you could catch the bus here to take you downhill to the Heritage Centre. I use a walking stick and find there are plenty of flat paved areas and the cobbles/uneven surfaces can be avoided. I always feel relaxed after a lazy day wandering...