I MAY not be Barnsley ‘born and bred’, but I’ve lived here for quite a few years now. It’s my home sweet home and I like it very much.

So with that in mind for today’s Friday Five, I thought I’d do my bit for local tourism and share my top five ‘must visit’ places you need to experience in this incredibly friendly and really quite beautiful South Yorkshire town.

Read about them, then go and visit!

* Wentworth Castle Gardens

We had our wedding reception here so I’m slightly biased, but that aside, this place really is breathtakingly beautiful.

Set in the midst of outstanding countryside and with some of the best views I’ve ever seen, you must visit it  – ideally on a warm, sunny day – so you can appreciate it’s fabulousness.

With gorgeous gardens and parklands that go on and on, some of the best rhodendrons you’ll ever see, a mock castle and an incredible Victorian conservatory (currently being restored), this historic Grade I listed garden needs to be seen to be believed.

* Pollyanna

Did you know that Barnsley boasts a shop that has been been hailed as one of the leading in the world by London’s Victoria and Albert Museum? Well it does and it’s bloomin’ amazing!

Owned by designer and style guru extraordinarie Rita Britton, Pollyanna is legendary around these parts but is also visited by fashionistas from far and wide who know their Givenchy from their Lanvin.

It stocks some of the finest ladies and menswear you’ll ever come across and also has a wonderful little cafe at the back of the shop, which serves the most delicious food in town.

As you’d expect from a designer shop, the clothing isn’t cheap but if you haven’t got a trust fund at your disposal, fear not. The shop does incredible sales and I should know.

Many years ago I bought my first pair of designer heels from here after coveting them for months. I snapped my YSL heels up for £105, a mere snip in comparison to their original price of £345.

* Blah Bar & Grill

Whenever I head into tarn (that’s town to those who don’t know the lingo) for drinks or a catch up with friends, I always head here.

Why? Because the drinks are fantastic, the staff are attentive and the whole place is understated and rather chic. Cocktail wise, there’s many to chose from but my favourites here are the cosmopolitan and the mojito.

During the day, it’s a chilled out place to have a leisurely gossip over a cappuccino or enjoy some lunch. The chunky chips are to die for!

* Elsecar Heritage Centre

Steeped in local industrial history, this incredible antique, history and craft centre boasts many independent shops, a cafe, a huge play area for children and an incredible antiques centre which is my particular favourite.

I love to trawl around the antique centre when i’m looking for inspiration or struggling to find a gift for a loved one. The centre is jam packed with amazing treasures which will set you back anything from 50p to over £1,000.

Make sure you take your purse and go with spare room in your car as I defy you to leave here empty handed! Got an extra half an hour to kill? Grab yourself an icecream and stroll around the park across the road. So pretty.

* Cannon Hall Farm

Another local tourist attraction which is making quite a name for itself.

If you’re looking for somewhere to take the kids you won’t go wrong. Visit the farm, feed some animals and watch some sheep or ferret racing! Then head for a pitstop in the cafe next door.

Before you head for home, take a walk around the grounds which the farm is set in. Make sure you visit the ‘fairy garden’ and then pop into the farm shop and delicatessen to pick up some tasty treats including the most amazing homemade pies and cakes.

Till the next time, as they say in these parts ‘si thi’!

Katie

x

P.S  Just a quick thank you to everyone who nominated me in the MAD blog awards. Nominations ended on Monday. I will keep you posted! x