Your visit

Welcome to Elsecar Heritage Centre. We want all visitors to enjoy their visit and aim to be an accessible and inclusive museum. As we are always looking to improve our access, we welcome any visitor feedback on this.

Our friendly team will always be on hand to welcome you to our venues and help you with any questions you may have about your visit. In the meantime, have a look at the information below to help you plan your day with us.

Please see our access vision

Find us on Euan's guide

Please see our AccessAble access information

Getting here and parking

We have two car parks at Elsecar that are free of charge. If the first car park seems full then follow the overflow directional signs to take you to the overflow car park. If both car parks are full, staff will be visually present to direct you to further additional car parks.

There is a bus stop close to the main entrance on Forge Lane on the route between Barnsley and Sheffield - please take the number 66 bus.

There is also a railway station with trains from Barnsley Interchange or from Sheffield stopping at Elsecar. The walk from the train station is approximately 15 minutes and is downhill to the Centre however, it is an uphill walk back to the Station.

If you visit the Centre on an event day, the nearest cash point is at the Premier shop nearby to Elsecar train station.

Admission and opening times

Free admission

Visitor Centre opening times - Monday - Sunday 10am - 4pm
Individual shops and businesses have varying opening times.

Food and Drink

There are two on site cafes, The Pantry and Brambles Tea Rooms, both serving a delicious range of food and drink – everything from light bites, afternoon tea, warming drinks and tempting treats.

Outside seating is available and dogs are welcome.

There is also plenty of outdoor space for you to bring your own picnic to eat if you wish.

Contact us

Visitor enquiries: 01226 740203

Email: elsecarheritagecentre@barnsley.gov.uk  

We aim to respond to all enquiries within 3 working days.

Visitors who are wheelchair users or whose mobility is limited

  • There is level or step free access to different parts of the Heritage Centre and Visitor Centre. Brambles Tearoom has step free access. The Pantry Tearoom have steps down to the entrance.
  • There are walkways around the site with step level changes to access between road and pavement areas. However, on some parts of the site there are cobbles with accessible pavements nearby to access shop entrances.
  • Lifts are available to the top floor in the Visitor Centre, Antiques Centre, Heritage Interiors, and the White Yard Bridal Boutique.  
  • Outdoor and indoor seating is available throughout the Heritage Centre.
  • There is an Accessible toilet available in the two toilet blocks on site in John Hartop Square and Blacksmith’s Square. Also, when the event space is open (The Ironworks), there is also an accessible toilet in that building.
  • Baby Changing facilities are available in the Ladies toilets in Blacksmith Square, the Accessible toilet in John Hartop Square. There is also a baby changing toilet in the events space (Ironworks).
  • A wheelchair is available to borrow for your visit, please ask at the Visitor Centre (contact number: 01226 740203). 

Visitors who are D/deaf or hard of hearing

  • A hearing loop is available at the front desk at the Visitor Centre
  • All films in the Visitor Centre are subtitled
  • Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas of the buildings on site.

Visitors who are blind or partially sighted

  • Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas of the buildings on site.

Audio Descriptions

We have audio descriptions of a selection of objects from our collections. 

We have a number of audio described videos relating to Barnsley Museums sites, including Elsecar Heritage Centre.

Autistic visitors and visitors with learning disabilities

  • We have visual stories for each of our sites
  • Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas of the site
  • The museum is free to enter for all and you can leave and come back as many times as you want during the day. 
  • If you ask in the Visitor Centre any interactives can be turned down or off to create a quieter experience for visitors who prefer it.
  • Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas of the buildings on site.
  • We have sensory backpacks available to borrow from our shop desk including ear defenders, fidget toys, soft toys and coloured filters. These are free of charge, please return them to the front desk at the end of your visit. We also have sunflower lanyards available to borrow free of charge for the duration of your visit, please ask at the front desk.
  • Elsecar Heritage Centre is often a busy place, especially during summer months and school holidays. There are a number of thriving independent shops and businesses. Quieter times are often at the beginning and end of the day.

Makaton Mondays

We have a series of Makaton videos with information about objects in Barnsley Museums' collections for you to enjoy.

Accessible Accommodation

(PDF, 139 KB)

We hope you enjoy your visit with us if you are looking for accessible accommodation in the area here is some information

Download file - Accessible Accommodation