This September, explore some of South Yorkshire’s most historically interesting places with Heritage Open Days.
This year marks 30 years of the annual festival and how it has grown in scope and scale to become the largest festival of history and culture. Places across the country throw open their doors to give people the chance to visit them for FREE!
You can find a full list of events via www.heritageopendays.org.uk, but here are just some of the events happening in Barnsley, Rotherham and Sheffield.
Thomas Rotherham College: A Legacy in Learning
Friday 13th September 1pm-3pm
Moorgate Road, Rotherham S60 2BE
Tours at 1.15pm, 1.45pm and 2.15pm
See inside the 1876 grade II listed building with original gothic collegiate features and newer areas built for the sixth form college.
Pre-booking required – Call 01709 300 700
50 years of South Yorkshire’s Emergency Services
Friday 13th September 10.30am-12.30pm and 1pm-3pm
The Old Fire Station, 101-109 West Bar, Sheffield, S3 8PT
Celebrating 50 years of South Yorkshire’s emergency services with meet-and-greet sessions, videos, stories, and objects in the museum’s new café.
No booking required
Wombwell Cemetery
Friday 13th and Saturday 14th September 10am-4pm
Wombwell Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Wombwell, Barnsley S73 8HY
Learn about Wombwell’s street names and who inspired them, as well as the lost train station, trams and buses.
No booking required
Worsbrough Local History Days
Friday 13th 10-2pm and Saturday 14th September 10am-4pm
Worsbrough Welfare Hall, Park Road, Worsbrough, Barnsley S70 5LJ
Travel through the ages of Worsbrough’s transport heritage and how it contributed to the industrial and social development. There will also be a 2km guided wellbeing walk around the area (book via Eventbrite for walk).
No booking required
Beehive Works
Friday 13th 8am-12pm, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September 10am-4pm
Milton Street, Sheffield, S3 7WL
A chance to visit this historic Grade II* listed Victorian cutlery factory, one of the best surviving examples of buildings associated with Sheffield’s metal manufacturing and working trades.
No booking required
Birley Spa Bath House
Friday 13th 1.30pm and 3pm, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September 11am, 1.30pm and 3pm
Birley Spa Lane, Hackenthorpe, Sheffield, S12 4ED
Guided tour of Sheffield’s only Victorian Bath House with a spring-fed plunge pool. Plus a walk in the grounds to see the wildlife that call it home.
Pre-booking required – Call 07494 529747
Wentworth Castle: Routes to Roots
Friday 13th to Sunday 15th September 10am-4pm
Park Drive, Lowe Laine, Stainborough, Barnsley S75 3EN
Explore the challenges faced by plant hunters as they forged new routes across the world in search of new plants. South Yorkshire’s only Grade I registered landscape, with formal gardens, Victorian conservatory, Stainborough Castle and children’s play area.
No booking required
Barnsley Civic Open Day
Saturday 14th September 11am-4pm
Eldon Street, Barnsley S70 2JL
The historic Eldon Street doors reopen more than 25 years after they closed. See inside Barnsley town centre’s grade II listed building that was built in 1877 as the Mechanics Institute and Public Hall.
No booking required
Penistone Paramount
Saturday 14th September 9am-5pm
Shrewsbury Road, Penistone S36 6DY
Step inside the auditorium of this 110-year-old building and see the 1937 Compton Paramount Cinema organ. Or book a backstage tour to visit the stage area, organ chamber, sprung dance floor in the cellar and the projection room.
Pre-booking required for tours via Penistone Paramount website
Rotherham Chapel on the Bridge
Saturday 14th September 10.30am-2pm
Bridge Street, Rotherham S60 1RB
Commemorating 100 years since the chapel was re-consecrated, learn about its history and people through original artwork. Chance to visit the crypt/jail.
No booking required
Rotherham Minster
Saturday 14th September 10am-2pm
Church Street, Rotherham town centre S60 1PD
Tours and talks held in the grade I listed church throughout the day. Find out more about the planned renovation works.
No booking required
Connections at All Saints Darfield
Saturday 14th 10am-4pm and Sunday 15th September 2pm-4pm
Church Street, Darfield, Barnsley S73 9JX
Travel through the centuries to find out how Darfield village and its ancient church connected with the surrounding area by road, river and rail. Guided tours up the tower to see the bells and bellringing at set times.
No booking required
Hemingfield Colliery
Saturday 14th 10.30-3.30pm and Sunday 15th September 11am-3pm
Hemingfield Colliery, Hemingfield, Barnsley S73 0NX
Explore the heritage of this scheduled Victorian colliery, once part of Earl Fitzwilliam’s Elsecar Collieries. Regular guided tours of the site, its coal working, railway and canal history.
No booking required
Roche Abbey
Sunday 15th September 10am-4.30pm
Off A634, Maltby, Rotherham S66 8NW
Visit the ruins of a 12th century Cistercian monasteryset in a valley landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown. Guided tours, medieval music in the cloister, talks on flora and fauna, mead and wine tasting, and garden games.
No booking required
Thundercliffe Grange
Sunday 15th September 10am-3.30pm
Grange Lane, Kimberworth, Rotherham S61 2SQ
Explore the public rooms in this 18th century manor house that has been a domestic residence shared by a co-operative of owners for the last 40 years. Short talks about the house and its history, the builder Thomas Howard, Earl of Effingham, and current residents.
Pre-booking required – call 07870 340 856
