Elsecar Heritage Centre
Elsecar Heritage Centre is an antique, history and crafts centre based in a listed former mining and industrial community. The Heritage Centre is on the site of industrial workshops, originally owned by the Earls Fitzwilliam. The Fitzwilliam Family owned much land in and around Elsecar. Towards the end of the 18th Century they founded an iron-working and coal mining community at Elsecar. The buildings that form the museum were created between 1850 and 1860 to house various trades; engineering workshops, repair shops, blacksmiths and carpenters to support the mining and iron making enterprises. This lasted about 150 years. The early Victorian engineering workshops have been carefully restored and transformed into a visitor centre.
Antiques at Elsecar
There is a vast array of antiques displays and sales at Elsecar. Open 7 days a week 10am – 4.30pm. Tel. 01226 744425.
Building 21
Building 21 is the Elsecar Heritage Centre's major exhibition/events hall for stage performances, product launches, shows, fairs, concerts and conferences. The venue also plays host to Yorkshires biggest and best monthly Antiques and Collectables.
Darwin Iron Works
The Darwin Iron Works was founded in 1795 and closed about 1848. This made plates and nails for the local colliery. All that you can see is a commemorative plaque and the name of the street 'Ironworkers Row'.
Elsecar 'Playmania Centre'
The Playmania Children's Centre building was built about 1850 as an engineering workshop to repair railway engines and manufacture other essentials of rolling stock. It now houses the new 'Playmania Children's Centre', which is Barnsley's biggest children's indoor adventure play area and party centre, with a multi-level play area with slides, tunnels, three party rooms, including a disco room. It is open seven days a week from 9.30am – 6.30pm, further details 01226 744344 or email playmaniaatbtinternet.com (remember to change at to @). http://www.playmania.org/
Hot Metal Press
A unique working collection of typesetting equipment and letterpress printing machines, some of which are 'hands–on'. Introduce children to life before the computer age. Call for opening hours Tel. (01226) 740498.
The Newcomen Beam Engine
This engine is the only one of its kind to remain at its original site and is listed as an Ancient Monument. It was built to pump water out of the Elsecar New Colliery which opened in 1795. The original wooden beam was replaced with the present iron beam in 1836. Pre-booked guided tours of the inside are available upon request. If it isn't busy you can usually collar somebody.
Craft Workshops
Elsecar's vast array of working crafts people offer a shopping experience for all visitors. Main opening times Tuesday – Sunday.
Tea rooms, ice creams and other places to eat. For those in need of something a little stronger The Market public house is just opposite the entrance to the Heritage Centre.
Clare White Gallery
Open 2007 Tel. 44 (0)1709 871038.
Hive Gallery
Open Thursday – Sunday 12noon to 4pm. Visit the website www.hivegallery.co.uk.
Events at Elsecar
Elsecar Heritage Centre holds many interesting events throughout the year including gardening weekends, alternative therapy exhibitions, vintage car rallies and special children's shows with favourites like Thomas the Tank Engine. Please Tel. 01226 740203 for full details. There is plenty of free parking but fair warning it can be choc-a-block when some of these events are on.