Visiting Us

On your first visit to the Archives and Local Studies in Barnsley Town Hall we ask you to register as a user and follow some brief guidelines in order to explore the many records we look after.

This is to help us keep the unique documents secure and safe. We ask that you bring along two forms of identification, one of which must include your name and address: a driving licence, passport, bank card, council tax or other bill, for example. We will then issue you with a membership card which is valid for three years. If you do not have the correct identification on your first visit you can still enter as a 'guest' for the day.

Customers are encouraged to book in advance to view documents and use resources by emailing archives@barnsley.gov.uk or telephoning 01226 773950 (during opening hours). Booking is recommended for accessing microform resources and the digital version of the Barnsley Chronicle.

We hope that you will enjoy your visit and find out something new about the Barnsley borough.

Opening hours

Monday Closed

Tuesday 9:30am-12.45pm & 1.30pm-6pm*

Wednesday 9:30am-12.45pm & 1.30pm-4:30pm

Thursday 9:30am-12.45pm & 1.30pm-4:30pm

Friday Closed

Saturday Closed

Sunday Closed

*Please note: if arriving after 5pm on Tuesdays you may need to press the door buzzer and wait for entry into the Town Hall.

District opening days

New for 2025, 'Pop-up Archives' sessions will be held in libraries across the borough:

Friday 14 March - Royston Library - 10am-1pm

We also be visiting the other 'principal towns' of Cudworth, Goldthorpe, Hoyland, Penistone and Wombwell during the year.

During these district days our staff will be on hand to help with your family and local history enquiries. There will be a range of digital resources on offer including the Barnsley Chronicle from 1858-2023 as well as indexes to cemetery burials and building plans.

Staff will also offer expert guidance on using the Ancestry, Find My Past and British Newspaper Archive websites. Sadly we can't bring our original archive documents with us, but customers will be able to arrange to view them in Barnsley Town Hall.