Elsecar

I've often seen the signs for Elsecar Heritage Centre at Junction 36 of the M1 and wondered what it was. Located north of Sheffield, near Barnsley, Elsecar (pronounced Els - e - ka by those in the know, a.k.a. my husband) is now a collection of arts and crafts workshops in a former iron works and colliery. The village itself is also a conservation area.

Built around a central courtyard there is a gallery; old fashioned sweet shop; a shop selling cupcakes, icing and cake decorations; an antique centre; two traditional toy shops and a shop selling furnishings for children's bedrooms, to name but a few. There is also a soft play centre in the main building. Around the back there is a railway from which a Santa's Express service is run and also, on the day we visited, a Hallow'een themed train ride. Also in this area is Building 21, which is an exhibition hall. On the day we visited we paid £1 each to enter and look at a craft fair.

I could have bought many things, including a beautiful wooden toy chest, most of the bedroom furnishings from KidsDens and also a selection of Ania's cupcakes. I was, however, very restrained, only buying an essential hand made stocking for my little one's first Christmas.

For parents interested in arts and crafts, Elsecar is a little gem. For older children too I imagine that Elsecar is lots of fun, with cake decorating and other activities available. For small children there isn't much to see or do, and actually many of the shops are inaccessible by pushchair, unless you fancy lifting it up a flight of stairs.

Maybe, however, I missed a trick when I visited and I should have asked my husband to stay with the little one in the soft play centre whilst I perused the workshops and craft fair at my leisure! Next time? My husband also seemed to remember that there used to be a museum there. We couldn't find it so it has either moved or closed, which is a shame, as the site does lack an obvious link to its past.

Parking is free and just next to the centre is Elsecar park and reservoir if you fancied extending your visit with a walk. Just a mile or so up the road from Elsecar is Wentworth, a pretty village with plenty of pubs and a good garden and craft centre that we have visited several times.

All in all, a hidden little corner excellent for those who like arts and crafts. Worthy of note for those interested in clever and unique craft, is that the Building 21 exhibition hall will be holding a Christmas Fair on the 11th and 12th December. Leave the pushchairs (and men?!) at home!


Elsecar Heritage Centre website

Wentworth Garden Centre website