Your visit

Welcome to Cannon Hall. We want all visitors to enjoy their visit and aim to be an accessible and inclusive museum. As we are always looking to improve our access, we welcome any visitor feedback on this.

Our friendly team will always be on hand to welcome you to our venues and help you with any questions you may have about your visit. In the meantime, have a look at the information below to help you plan your day with us.

Please see our access vision

Find us on Euan's guide

We have a Visit England Accessibility Guide.

Admission and opening times

Free admission
Term time winter opening times - Thursday to Sunday 11am - 4pm.
School holiday opening times - Daily 11am - 4pm 

Parking

There is a large car park at Cannon Hall, approximately 5 or 10 minutes walk away from the main entrance. The route to the Hall is up a slope. Charges apply for parking. Please note that our car park can get busy during weekends and school holidays. Accessible parking spaces are available in this car park near the Pavilion cafe. Additional alternative parking spaces are available outside the Hall, accessed via a private drive. Please ring ahead if you wish to use one of these during your visit. There is also a drop-off area outside the main Hall.

Training

Our staff have had Access Awareness training, delivered by AccessibleUK. Some have had Makaton training.

Food and Drink

Cannon Hall has two delicious cafes onsite, and plenty of outdoor space for you to bring your own picnic.

The Pavilion cafe is located in Cannon Hall Park at the top of the main car park and offers a tempting range of sandwiches, soups, cakes and pastries and hot and cold drinks. Seating is available inside or on the terrace overlooking the park. Children’s menu available. Take away is also available.

Open all year round (closed Christmas Day).

The Pear Tree Pantry is ideally located inside the walled gardens of the Hall. With a lovely outdoor seating area and offer a varied selection of hot and cold sandwiches, sausage rolls, pork pies and fresh cakes. They also offer a variety of vegan and gluten free sweet and savoury options.

All of the coffee is locally roasted and freshly brewed and they also stock a wide selection of teas. (Alternative milks are available at no extra charge).

They are a dog and child friendly location that also offers toilet facilities including disabled and separate baby change room (please note these may sometimes be closed for private functions inside the Hall, alternative toilets will be signposted).

Contact us

Telephone number: 01226 772002

Email address: cannonhall@barnsley.gov.uk

We aim to respond to all enquiries within 3 working days.

Awards

We were delighted to have been shortlisted for the Kids in Museums Family Friendly Best Accessible Museum Award 2023.

The museum is not overwhelming. Its staff are friendly and helpful. The museum is well set out in sections. There are accessible children activities the the museum. The staff are very knowledgeable and approachable. There are great workshops and activities in holidays. My son has autism and epilepsy, there are plenty of quiet areas for him to sit and take in his surroundings. It’s a stress free place to visit set in beautiful grounds, that have amazing sensory and story trails.

We were able to be ourselves and our children had the freedom to explore the gardens, parkland and museum. Alison, a volunteer gave us a mini tour of the 2nd floor. Both boys were included and 5 year old was listened to when he asked questions and told her about things he knew.

There was a sensory trail through the woods, logs to climb on and a small play area. In the museum there was a sensory toy in most rooms including periscopes in a room with glass cases. There was also a room with an interactive game and pots to build.

8 year old says he loved the woodland walk and liked playing the game on the computer in the museum. 5 year old says that he really liked the park and enjoyed having things to play with in each room in the museum.

Visitors who are wheelchair users or whose mobility is limited

  • There is a lift available to floors one and two (Glass and De Morgan collections) - please ask staff for assistance if required. The Victorian Kitchens and Servants' Hall are accessible via the Walled Garden which has step free access.
  • There are two Space to Change toilets available, one in the Hall and one at the Pavilion Cafe.
    The Space to Change toilet in the Hall can be accessed by those who need it even when the museum is closed, please call ahead to let us know the date of your visit.
  • Accessible parking is available in the main car park for access to the grounds (closed at 4pm). Limited accessible parking is available outside the Hall but is allocated on a first come, first served basis.
  • Seating is available throughout the Hall
  • Some areas of the Country Park are difficult for wheelchairs to access - including parts of the Discovery Area. Signage is available onsite to direct you. In the Discovery Area, paths have different surfaces including bark mulch, compacted lime stone hogging and wooden foot boards.
  • We have sunflower lanyards available from the gift shop to borrow for the duration of your visit if you would like one, please return these to the front desk on your way out.

Visitors who are Blind or partially sighted

  • Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas
  • Some areas of the museum are dark - for example the Servants' Hall and Scullery areas downstairs in the Victorian Kitchens.
  • Some areas have low colour contrast, for example the steps leading up to the Ballroom
  • We have sunflower lanyards available from the gift shop to borrow for the duration of your visit if you would like one, please return these to the front desk on your way out.

Visitors who are D/deaf or have hearing loss

  • Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas
  • We have subtitles on most videos
  • We have sunflower lanyards available from the gift shop to borrow for the duration of your visit if you would like one, please return these to the front desk on your way out.

Autistic visitors and visitors with learning disabilities

  • We have visual stories for all of our five Barnsley Museums sites.
  • We have sensory backpacks available free of charge from our front desk for the duration of your visit, including ear defenders, fidget toys, magnifying glasses and soft toys. Please return these to the front desk on your way out.
  • We have sunflower lanyards available from the gift shop to borrow for the duration of your visit if you would like one, please return these to the front desk on your way out.
  • We have baskets with sensory items in two of the rooms along the South Front on the ground floor of the Hall, including fabrics, sensory toys, costume and tactile items relating to the objects and paintings at Cannon Hall.
  • We will be holding relaxed sessions of our Christmas Events - Santa at Cannon Hall, and Chris Cade's 'A Christmas Carol'. Please check our website nearer the time for further details.
  • During term time we may be busy with school bookings between 11am and 2pm, and during school holidays we may be busy with family visitors. Our quieter times are often just after opening. Our Country Park has extensive outdoor spaces and there are plenty of hidden corners for anyone who would like a quiet moment.

Audio Descriptions

We have audio descriptions of a selection objects from our collections. These are available on our website or as QR codes in the Museum.
We have an audio described video describing the recent work done in the Country Park.

Makaton videos

We have Makaton videos of a number of objects in Cannon Hall - these are available on our websites and as a QR code in the Museum. You can also find out about some of the objects from our other museums!

Downloads and resource guides

Cannon Hall Visual Story

(PDF, 2.05 MB)

Cannon Hall Visual story (audio version)
Image of Cannon Hall from a distance, with purple and white flowers in the foreground.

Cannon Hall Multi Sensory Trail

(PDF, 7.64 MB)

Accessible Accommodation

(PDF, 153 KB)

We hope you enjoy your visit with us. If you are looking for accessible accommodation in the area, here is some information.
  • Cannon Hall main car park
    Cannon Hall main car park
  • Accessible parking at the top of the main car park
    Accessible parking main entrance
  • Main path to the hall. It is up a slope, lined with trees.
    Path to Hall
  • Entrance to Monster trail showing empty cage which the Monster is supposed to have escaped from.
    Monster trail way in
  • Deer shelter, half way up the path. A long building open on one side with decorated columns.
    Deer shelter
  • Monster trail. A wooden door for children to open with a sign saying 'The scariest monster lives here'
    Monster trail
  • Saxon hut. A woven hut with thatched roof, big enough for children to get inside.
    Saxon hut
  • Wheelchair accessible picnic benches in the Discovery area
    Accessible picnic benches in the Discovery area
  • Two accessible parking spaces outside the entrance to the Hall itself.
    Accessible parking outside the Hall
  • Pinery. An ornate stone building with colonnades formerly used for growing pineapples.
    Pinery
  • Parkland. A large green space dotted with trees and Cannon Hall just visible in the distance.
    Parkland
  • Parkland. A path leading to the right hand side of the green parkland, lined with trees.
    Parkland
  • Entrance to walled garden. A black wrought iron gate leading through a brick wall.
    Entrance to walled garden
  • Circular pond in walled garden, surrounded by plants. There is a bench to sit on.
    Pond in walled garden
  • Benches in walled garden
    Benches in walled garden
  • Walled garden. Showing paths, plants and a greenhouse in the background.
    Walled garden
  • North Range. A large greenhouse used for events and training courses.
    North Range
  • Walled garden vegetable plots growing leaks, potatoes and other vegetables.
    Walled garden vegetable plots
  • Route to fairyland and pleasure grounds. A path leading past the pinery towards the rest of the parkland.
    Route to fairyland and pleasure grounds
  • Fairyland. An ornate stone archway next to a fish pond. A path leads between the two.
    Fairyland
  • Route to Cawthorne. Path leading over a bridge towards Cawthorne Village.
    Route to Cawthorne
  • Route to the car park from the Hall. One path leading straight on and one winding to the left. Both return to the car park.
    Route to the car park from the Hall
  • Wheelchair access path to the cascades. A path missing out the steps down to the mini waterfall in the Georgian Lakes.
    Wheelchair access path back to the cascades
  • Picnic area. Four picnic benches beside some trees and bushes.
    Picnic area
  • Parkland with sculpture. A path leading through the parkland with a wooden heron embossed carving on a plinth.
    parkland with sculpture
  • Circular picnic benches at the bottom of the parkland by the boats
    Picnic benches by the boats
  • A large swing in our playpark
    A swing in our playpark.
  • A wheelchair accessible roundabout in our playpark.
    Accessible roundabout
  • Entrance to the Hall showing glass automatic sliding doors, leading into a porch with a white automatic door which opens outwards.
    Entrance to the Hall showing glass automatic sliding doors, leading into a porch with a white automatic door which opens outwards.
  • Museum shop showing gifts and retail displays beside a period fireplace
    Museum shop
  • Museum front desk. A wooden oak desk in the reception area.
    Museum front desk
  • Ceramics Gallery. Displays of ceramic objects such as jars and vases and a bench in the middle of the floor.
    Ceramic Gallery
  • Space to change showing toilet, sink and hoist.
    Space to change
  • A collection of sensory backpacks at Cannon Hall Museum.
    A collection of sensory backpacks at Cannon Hall Museum.
  • Ceramics Gallery showing ceramic displays and a comfortable sofa with cushions to sit on
    Ceramic Gallery
  • Room with a video display, three interpretation boards and a bench in the middle for seating.
  • Dining Room showing a grand dining table set for a meal, and artworks on the walls.
    Dining Room
  • Drawing Room. Chairs, a chez longe and ornate columns reflecting Georgian love of symmetry.
    Drawing Room
  • Games room. A card table to the right of the image with artworks on the wall and a Grandfather clock to the left.
    Sitting room
  • Library. Bookcases around the room and a cabinet with china plates. A writing desk and two large globes on the floor.
    Library
  • Stairs to floor one. Red carpet with handrail on the right.
    Stairs to floor one
  • Glass gallery with cases filled with glass ornaments of different colours.
    Glass Gallery
  • De Morgan Gallery showing displays of plates, tiles and an ornate period fireplace
    De Morgan Gallery
  • De Morgan Gallery showing art works of female figures by Evelyn De Morgan and a period fireplace
    De Morgan Gallery
  • Childrens area - showing a costume rail, comfy sofa, doll's house and some hands on activities such as building blocks.
    Childrens area