Visiting Barnsley at Christmas Time – Our Top Picks and Things to Do
This year I have got to know the little South Yorkshire town of Barnsley a whole lot better. I decided to round things off with a festive trip to check out the 2024 Barnsley Christmas Market, and beyond. Here’s what I found…
Foreword
Back in October I visited Barnsley for an overnight break to discover all that it had to offer, which turned out to be a lot more than expected – I came away and wrote about 16 unique and free things to do in Barnsley, all of which are available to also experience during the festive season.
But with Christmas comes even more things to do and reasons to visit Barnsley, and I went along to check some of them out. Returning to Barnsley in December allowed me to experience the town in a whole new light, one with lots of colour, sparkles and festive spirit. There’s plenty to do here during the festive season and I hope this article provides you with all the inspiration you need.
This article has been written in partnership with Visit Barnsley. All words and photos are exclusive to Travelista. Photos by Travelista photographer Matt McCormick
Visiting Barnsley at Christmas Time – Our Top Picks and Things to Do
1. The Barnsley Christmas Market 2024
This year, the Barnsley Christmas Market took place on The Glass Works Square, in the very heart of Barnsley town centre. During my visit I discovered a combination of food stalls and festive retail stalls, offering a unique foodie and shopping experience that helped visitors to shop local and support South-Yorkshire businesses. There was an amazing range of world-food on offer and you could try everything from bao buns and gyozas to Sicilian cannoli and Bavarian sausages. Some of the retail vendors also allowed you to taste samples of their product such as cheeses and hot sauces.
Surrounding the stalls were a beautiful collection of festive light installations including glittering archways and trees which provided the perfect backdrops for festive photos. Also within the market set up was a main stage with performances from live singers – I found this really enhanced the experience and added to the Christmas atmosphere.
Another brilliant aspect of the Barnsley Christmas Market 2024 was the indoor Tipi. Inside you could enjoy a cosy mulled wine or a hot chocolate with whipped cream by a roaring open fire pit. There was a great atmosphere in here and with no queue outside at the time, we were straight in. The weather in December can always be unpredictable but the indoor Tipi at Barnsley Christmas Market was a guaranteed festive experience come rain or shine.
The Barnsley Christmas Market was a free event for both locals and visitors. No need to get a ticket. We could simply turn up and enjoy!
Stay up to date with all of Barnsley’s current events via the Visit Barnsley What’s On page.
What made Barnsley Christmas Market feel different?
Barnsley offered a small-scale Christmas market which is what made it different to the likes of the nearby Sheffield, York and Leeds markets. I really liked that it was a more intimate experience with a lot less crowds. Many UK Christmas markets have become so oversaturated that it takes away the joy of the experience, often having to wait in a queue of 8 people to pay for items or order some food.
The experience at Barnsley Christmas Market was quite the opposite. There were enough people around to create a buzz and an atmosphere, but I never had to wait more than a few minutes to order something or to be served by one of the retailers.
Another thing that made Barnsley Christmas Market unique is that the retail stalls were filled with unique and special gifts that you’d actually want to buy a loved one. So often the stalls at Christmas markets can feel quite repetitive and uninspiring, but I found myself being drawn to lots of lovely items within the retail stalls. Including a beautiful navy hat, which felt of top quality. I also noticed that the prices of the items were really reasonable too, and I could find some really special Christmas gifts from around £7 and up.
My Personal Highlights of Barnsley Christmas Market
- Ordering the pork gyozas and curry fries combo from Big Mouth Gyoza – 10/10.
- Indulging in a Terry’s Chocolate Orange crepe from The Yorkshire Crepe Co.
- Sitting by the open fire pit in the Tipi with a mulled wine
- Listening to a live music from Jake Edwards Brown
- Arriving at dusk and staying until the sun set to see all the twinkly lights in all their glory
2. Wreath Making Workshops at The Twisted Teapot
The Twisted Teapot
243 Park Rd, Barnsley S70 1QW
The Twisted Teapot is a very creative and quirky establishment that is totally unique to Barnsley – as well as a real hidden gem. Unassumingly situated on a row of terraced houses, this quirky tea room hosts afternoon tea parties over 2-3 sittings through the week, but at Christmas they also host festive wreath making workshops. The magical theming of the tea rooms is totally captivating, with a wardrobe to Narnia as well as potions, curious trinkets and poetry on display.
The wreath making workshops consist of a cream tea with a selection of mince pies, stollen, lemon drizzle and scones with clotted cream and jam. Each guest helps themselves to these on arrival and the owners work their way around the tables doing the wreath demonstrations using fresh foliage and decorations. All the materials and tools are supplied as part of the experience and sessions cost £43.50 per person and you come away with a beautiful handmade wreath.
It’s clear the owners Nicky and Steve pour their heart and soul into creating these business premises, which was once their home address. Co-owner Nicky told me;
“The tearoom is part of our old home, it sounds daft because it’s just bricks and mortar, but we got really sentimentality attached to the house (we’ve had it for the last 18 years) all our babies were born here and we have many memories tied to the place, so this is what we do to make it work for itself, so we can keep it. We have 5, soon to be 6, children. We are foster carers so it enables us to work fully around the children.”
Nicky, Co-Owner of Twisted Teapot
Booking is essential all year round. Book via the enquiry page.
3. Christmas Shopping for Unique Treasures at Elescar Heritage Centre
Elescar Heritage Centre
Wath Rd, Elsecar, Barnsley S74 8HJ
Elsecar Heritage Centre is a mini village with a rich history. Originally built by rich local arisocrats, it became an international centre for ironmaking, coal mining and industry. The old village – which feels a little like being in Beamish – is now filled with independent shops, cafes, tearooms, artist studios, a soft play, a visitors centre and antiques centres. There’s even an old fashioned sweet shop.
By visiting at Christmas time you can enjoy all the beautiful decorations as well as seek out special and unique gifts for loved ones. I stopped for lunch at the traditional Brambles Tea Room (where I devoured a quiche and a cream scone) and managed to pick up some Christmas incense burners as a gift. I loved how quaint this place feels and how you can wander round and browse the unique businesses at such a leisurely pace.
Elsecar Heritage Centre would be an amazing place to come if you were looking for a unique or one-of-a-kind gift for Christmas. From beautiful handmade creations to special antiques, there is bound to be something that catches your eye whilst you explore. Enhance your experience with a cream tea in one of the tea rooms or a steaming cup of mulled wine.
Parking and entry to Elsecar Heritage Centre is FREE and is the perfect addition to visiting the Barnsley Christmas Markets.
4. Go Christmas Shopping in Barnsley’s Victorian Arcade
The Victorian Arcade, hidden away in the heart of Barnsley town centre, was a discovery from my first trip back in October. But that said, it would be a lovely place to visit and do some Christmas shopping during the festive period. It’s brimming with local and independent businesses offering a wide range of unique items and gifts. I’d also recommend stopping off at the Spiral City for a cocktail or a festive Baileys. Don’t miss the retro dukebox room tucked away upstairs.
The Glass Works shopping centre is also another great option if you are looking for nationwide retail stores or for luxury labels head to Flannels.
Where to Stay in Barnsley
If you’re planning to make a weekend of it, I can recommend Tankersley Manor for a peaceful and relaxing escape on the outskirts of Barnsley. This Mercure property is set in a former 17th century residence so is oozing with character and charm. The hotel has recently undergone a major refurbishment of its spa, which is a must-visit as part of your stay. Book a treatment or simply unwind in the pool and Jacuzzi. This is where I stayed during my trip to Barnsley and it turned out to be an ideal base to explore.
Other options closer to Barnsley town centre include
Barnsley at Christmas time is a lovely place to be, with plenty to discover and unique reasons to visit. How well do you know Barnsley? Leave a community comment and let us know.
Leave a comment