The popular Heritage Open Days festival returns this September with plenty of free events and experiences taking place across South Yorkshire.
Running from Friday 11th to Sunday 20th September, this year’s festival is themed around ‘everyday histories’, the often overlooked stories of ordinary working people and their daily lives.
Here are some of the events you can attend in Rotherham and Barnsley, or find the full list online at www.heritageopendays.org.uk
Rotherham events
Forge Island History Tour
Friday 11th September 2pm-3pm
Meet at Rotherham Minster, Church Street, Rotherham S60 1PD
Rotherham District Civic Society look at how Forge Island was created, with stories of events that happened there. Includes a walk from the Minster, over the Bailey bridge and into Forge Island to see the waterway of locks hidden from public view.
Pre-booking required. Email guidedtours@rotherhamcivicsociety.org
Discovering Rotherham Guided Tour
Friday 11th, Saturday 12th, Tuesday 15th & Wednesday 16th September 10am-12pm
Friday 18th & Saturday 19th September 1pm-3.30pm
Meet at Clifton Park Museum, Clifton Lane, Rotherham S65 2AA
Join Rotherham District Civic Society on a walking tour of Rotherham town centre to discover the town’s Neolithic beginnings, Roman invasions, the inventions born in Rotherham and the people who developed them.
Pre-booking required. Email guidedtours@rotherhamcivicsociety.org
Clifton Park and Museum Tour
Saturday 12th & Thursday 17th September 10.30am-12.30pm and Sunday 20th September 2pm-3.30pm
Clifton Park Museum, Clifton Lane, Rotherham S65 2AA
Rotherham District Civic Society explore Rotherham’s principal park and museum, their famous industrial owners and connection to both world wars. Includes a walk around the park followed by a visit to the museum.
Pre-booking required. Email guidedtours@rotherhamcivicsociety.org
CWGC Tours at Rotherham (Moorgate) Cemetery
Sunday 13th & 20th September 10.30am-12pm
Boston Castle Grove, Rotherham S60 2BA
Join the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to look at 85 graves of soldiers killed in the First and Second World Wars, some of whom were young academics who studied at the neighbouring Rotherham Grammar School.
Pre-booking required. Email public.engagement@cwgc.org or book online at www.cwgc.org
Wentworth Woodhouse Gardens
Friday 18th & Saturday 19th September 10am-5pm
Wentworth, Rotherham S62 7TQ
Enjoy free entry to Wentworth Woodhouse’s vast gardens and discover many delights, from the sweeping views from the Ha-Ha and South Terrace to the wildflower meadow.
Pre-booking required. Visit www.wentworthwoodhouse.org.uk
Thundercliffe Grange Open Day
Saturday 19th September 10am-3.30pm
Grange Lane, Kimberworth, Rotherham S61 2SQ
Residents invite you to learn about the history of the building which was previously a Norman hermitage, Monastic grange, a manor house for the Earl of Effingham, a women’s mental asylum and a hospital for disabled children. See the state rooms, tour the grounds and enjoy talks by residents past and present.
Pre-booking required. Visit www.thundercliffegrange.co.uk
Barnsley events
Elsecar Heritage Talks and Performances
Elsecar Heritage Centre Visitor Centre, Wath Road, Barnsley S74 8HJ
A series of talks and performances taking place throughout the festival as follows:
- RSPB Old Moor – Friday 11th September 11am
Looking at the 50-year history of the Dearne Valley farm, from organic farming in the 1970s to present day as a nature sanctuary.
- Friends of Hemingfield Colliery – Saturday 12th September 2pm
Chris Jones looks at local lives and everyday histories of Elsecar and District.
- Wombwell Heritage Group – Wednesday 16th September 11am
Sue Riley looks at the life of WWI nurse Annie Charlesworth who served with TFNS.
- Wentworth Woodhouse – Wednesday 16th September 2pm
The Trust’s archivist David Allott looks at the heritage of Wentworth Woodhouse.
- Elsecar Heritage Centre – Friday 18th September 11am
Gemma Firth-de-Laci and volunteers talk about Elsecar’s mining and industrial revolution past.
- From Iron to Steel – Friday 18th September 2pm
Mike Izzards looks at the rise of Elsecar Ironworks and its subsequent decline with the growth and development of Sheffield Steel.
- Remember the Coal – Saturday 19th September 11am
Alan Wood and John Snook perform their acclaimed musical story of coal mining in Britain.
Pre-booking required. Email elsecarheritagecentre@barnsley.gov.uk
RSPB Old Moor Exhibitions
Saturday 12th to Sunday 20th September 10am-4pm
Old Moor Lane, Wombwell, Barnsley S73 0YF
Six exhibitions looking at the everyday histories of people from across South Yorkshire. Information about the Gascoigne family and 50 years of farming, the working lives of Doncaster and district people, Elsecar’s coal and gas lighting industries, estate workers at Wentworth Woodhouse, Hemingfield Colliery’s workers, and Wombwell’s farmers and coal miners.
No booking required
Hemingfield Colliery
Saturdays 12 & 19th September 10.30am-3.30pm, Sunday 13th September 11am-5pm and Sunday 20th September 11am-3pm
Wath Road/Pit Row, Barnsley S73 0NX
Explore the surviving Victorian colliery site and learn how it was sunk for Earl Fitzwilliam in the 1840s and worked the Barnsley seam until 1920 when it was converted into a pumping station.
No booking required.
Creative Businesswomen of Darfield at Maurice Dobson Museum
Saturdays 12th & 19th September 10am-2pm and Tuesday 15th September 1pm-4pm
2 Vicar Road, Darfield, Barnsley S73 9JZ
The museum team look at three women from Darfield who had a big impact on the village, including dance school owner Elizabeth Craven, the Empire Cinema owner Mrs Redmayne, and hair stylist Denise Moody.
Pre booking preferred. Email info@darfieldmuseum.co.uk
Barnsley Main Colliery Open Day
Monday 14th September 10am-2pm
Oaks Lane, Barnsley S70 3ET
With this year being the 160th anniversary of the Oaks disaster, the worst coal mining disaster in English history, visit the site of the incident to learn more about those who died. See mining artefacts and historical information in the onsite museum and discover more about Barnsley’s mining heritage.
No booking required.
Lives Behind the Counters – Wombwell Cemetery
Thursday 17th to Saturday 19th September 10am-2pm
Cemetery Road, Wombwell, Barnsley S73 8HY
Look back at Wombwell high street’s shopkeepers of days gone by, including Dook Butchers, Barkers Bakers and Adamsons watchmakers. The chapel will also be open and you can access a database to find your family and ancestors.
No booking required.
Working Histories at Wentworth Castle
Friday 18th to Sunday 20th September 10am-4pm
Wentworth Castle Gardens, Stainborough, Barnsley S75 3EN
Free entry to the National Trust site all weekend where you can explore the gardens, woodlands, parklands, monuments and Victorian conservatory.
No booking required.
Hoylandswaine Nail Forge
Saturday 19th September 10am-3pm
The Nail Forge, Hoylandswaine, Barnsley S36 7JA
Discover the history of nail making in Hoylandswaine at the last working nail forge and Britain’s only nail forge with its original hearth and chimney.
No booking required.
