Welcome
Experience Barnsley Museum and Discovery Centre is dedicated to the history and people of Barnsley. Visitors will uncover the incredible story of Barnsley told through centuries-old artefacts, documents, films and recordings that have been donated by people living and working in the borough. Unique, hands-on and interactive exhibits encourage visitors to explore the people and places of Barnsley, ultimately leading them to discover a town with amazing stories and a rich and diverse heritage. The Discovery centre houses an extensive archive collection.
Experience Barnsley is part of Barnsley Town Hall - this guide only covers the museum, shop and cafe and not the rest of the building.

Level access
There is level access from the main entrance to:
Making History Gallery.Main Exhibition Gallery.Temporary Exhibition.Learning Lab.Experience Barnsley shop desk.1st floor toilets near to the Old George café - turn right on your way into the Main Gallery.Toilets opposite the temporary exhibition and archives.Old George Town HallExperience Barnsley gift shop.Fountains and town squareHearing
Visual
General
Getting here
Travel by public transport
The access from the train station is level, but up a slope0.0
Travel by taxi
City Taxis have an app which can be used to book taxis online.
Parking
There is street parking 0.1 miles away from Experience Barnsley (outside of Westgate Plaza) and a car park 0.2 miles away (The Seam Upper Shopper). Access from both is on a slope.
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
The door is situated to the side of the Town Hall building. Once through the door, Town Hall reception and a cafe will be to your right, the Museum will be straight ahead, and the Museum shop and information desk will be to your left. Entrance to the Museum is free, our Visitor Services Assistants will happily answer any questions you may have.
There is a second set of doors after the main entrance doors which open automatically and are 1430mm wide.



Getting around inside
Visual Impairment - General Information
Lift
Lifts to all floors


Ticket/ information desk
Experience Barnsley shop desk.
The Experience Barnsley desk is located in the shop. The shop is to your left as you walk through the main doors. The desk on your right is the Town Hall reception, for non museum related enquiries.
Entrance to Experience Barnsley is free so you do not need to buy a ticket. If you wish, you may just carry straight on down the corridor from the main entrance to the Museum without visiting the information desk. However, our friendly staff will be happy to help with any questions you may have.


Making History Gallery.
This is a family play area with costumes, toys and activities for children. It can be accessed either via stairs or a ramp. There is seating available. A portable hearing loop can be requested from the information desk in the shop.



Main Exhibition Gallery.
This is the main exhibition displaying objects and information about the history of Barnsley from the Stone Age to the present day. It includes displays about coal mining and local industry, famous Barnsley people, sport and leisure and other historical objects largely donated by the local people. Some areas of the main exhibition have low lighting.










Temporary Exhibition.
The temporary exhibition is accessed by leaving the main gallery through the door to the left of the Barnsley FC display. The corridor has a slope. At the end of the Corridor, turn right and then the temporary exhibition is on the left. The content of the temporary exhibition changes throughout the year, please check our website for the most up to date information - https://www.experience-barnsley.com/

Learning Lab.
This space is usually used for events, school trips, talks or family activities.
Public toilet
1st floor toilets near to the Old George café - turn right on your way into the Main Gallery.
This changing places facility is part of the Town Hall building. There is also another changing places facility at the library in the town centre.
A radar key can be collected from the main reception desk in the Town Hall, at the entrance to the Old George cafe.


Public toilet
Toilets opposite the temporary exhibition and archives.
Shop
Experience Barnsley gift shop.


Place to eat and drink
Old George Town Hall
The cafe team can create meals made without gluten/nuts and other allergens on request, following strict allergen procedures. However, all meals are prepared in the same kitchen therefore cannot be guaranteed to be absolutely allergen free.

Getting around outside
Fountains and town square
The outdoor area is the town square opposite the main entrance to the Gallery. There are benches to sit on for a picnic, and the fountains are switched on on selected days. There is a road running around the square so traffic can be busy and noisy.

Customer care support
Accessibility equipment
We have a sensory backpack containing ear defenders, torches and fidget toys. Please ask at the front desk.
Emergency evacuation procedures
Customer care support
Some of our staff have Makaton training
We have a 360 virtual tour of Experience Barnsley available for visitors here - https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=bkrLy96Co7x