Halfway between Sheffield and Leeds, Barnsley really is South Yorkshire.
A traditional market town on the up, thanks to new development and regeneration, living in Barnsley gives you best of what South Yorkshire has to offer – bustling towns surrounded by incredible outdoor space and superb transport links.
Living in Barnsley
Sitting on the north east edge of the Peak District National Park, Barnsley is perfect for those who like to get out and about.
But if you don’t like to venture out into South Yorkshire’s rugged countryside, the town centre offers plenty – including a 700-year-old market with up to 300 stalls.
Houses for sale in Barnsley
Like most of South Yorkshire, Barnsley is best known for its rugged stone-built terraced homes but the most popular properties in the area are three-bedroom semi-detached homes – outlining Barnsley’s appeal to families.
And with new developments springing up, the town also offers its fair share of newer houses, as well as town centre flats close to the station for commuters.
Semi-detached properties in Barnsley fetched an average asking price of £126,370 over the past 12 months, with detached homes averaging £222,881.
Average property price: £145,369*
Flats to rent in Barnsley
Barnsley’s transport links to the cities of Sheffield and Leeds make it an ideal spot for commuters looking for a little more value.
And the town’s asking rents – £383 for a one-bedroom flat and £452 for two bedrooms – make it hugely competitive in the crowded South Yorkshire market.
Average rent: £461**
Barnsley transport links
Barnsley sits just to the east of the M1 motorway, meaning drivers have easy access south to Sheffield and north to Leeds.
The M1 also runs up to the A1(M) for the North East and directly into London further south.
The A365, meanwhile, runs east towards Doncaster and the A628 into the Peak District National Park.
On the railways, Barnsley station runs direct trains into Sheffield that take just over 20 minutes, while services to Leeds take just 35 minutes.
Schools in Barnsley
As well as its superb countryside, great transport links and affordable property, Barnsley’s schools really are among the best in the north of England.
The town has an incredible 19 primary schools rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted!
They include:
* Gawber Primary School
* Silkstone Primary School
* Barugh Green Primary School
* Cawthorne Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Higher up the education ladder, Penistone Grammar School is rated ‘Good’.
Shopping in Barnsley
Lovers of shopping will be eager to see The Glass Works project completed, but there is plenty of retail therapy in Barnsley to keep them occupied in the meantime.
The Alhambra Shopping Centre is Barnsley largest retail centre, with more than 40 stores including Primark, Next, TK Maxx and Vodafone.
The centre is located next to Barnsley thriving and historical market, where shoppers can pick up almost anything from one of the 300 stalls on offer.
The Victorian Arcade, meanwhile, is great for those who like to stop for a coffee and slice of cake while pounding the shopping beat.
Eating out in Barnsley
Among Barnsley’s best restaurants, of which there are many, Beatson House at Cawthorne is one of the most popular.
Serving classic British food in a dining room environment, dishes featuring local produce feature heavily on a menu full of delights.
Those seeking the tastes of the Mediterranean should head for The Secret Italian on McLintock Way, which serves classic dishes from an authentic Italian kitchen.
Things to do in Barnsley
As well as all that glorious green space of the Peak District, Barnsley offers something for lovers of history, sport and theatre.
The town’s best museums are the Experience Barnsley Museum and Discovery Centre, which tells the story of the town’s humble beginnings and development, and the Cannon Hall Museum at Cawthorne which also boasts some stunning grounds to explore during the warmer months.
If you love sport, then Barnsley is for you. South Yorkshire is something of a hub for top football, with Barnsley FC, Doncaster Rovers, Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United and Rotherham FC all within the confines of the M1.
The Lamproom Theatre in town is excellent and puts on shows suitable for all the family, as does the Academy Theatre in Birdwell, south of the town centre.
Things to do with the kids
* Statistics from Rightmove, correct at April 2019
** Statistics from Zoopla, correct at April 2019
