Welcome to the Maurice Dobson Museum
Maurice Dobson Museum & Heritage Centre is a restored Georgian Yeoman’s residence where Darfield’s long history is brought to life!
We’re proud to display treasured artefacts left by Maurice himself, along with a selection of artefacts donated to the museum that show Darfield’s long industrial and social history. Visit the Canon Sorby room where you’ll discover more about Darfield’s past. See our Rag and Chain Pump along with the more familiar Davy Lamp, and discover mining through the ages. We have a fantastic range of pieces and photographs that you’ll love to explore.
Guided tours are available to help you learn even more about our pieces, and we welcome groups and schools. We can even arrange for a speaker to visit your own venue to give illustrated talks on our artefacts and more.
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Ticket Prices
Free entry to all
Opening Times
Wednesdays:
All year round: 1pm – 4pm
Saturdays:
All year round: 10am-2pm
Heritage Open Days
We look at three creative and inspirational business women of Darfield:
Elizabeth Craven – Dance School Proprietor who gave confidence to many young girls
Denise Moody – Hair Stylist who created employment and increased self-esteem to the ladies of Darfield
Mrs Redmayne and the ‘Palace of Dreams’ – The Empire Cinema Darfield which closed on 29th December 1956 after 42 years.
These women affected the lives of many in the village and local area, and we explore stories about their businesses and hear from those who remember them.
This will be a display within the museum. There is no need to book though if you are a larger group, please let us know so we can make sure you can be catered for.
Timings
Saturday 12 September:
1000-1400
Wednesday 16 September:
1300-1600
Saturday 19 September:
1000-1400
If you are visiting on the weekend of the 12th September, you can also visit the nearby church that is also taking part.
Darfield All Saints is a beautiful and ancient church, parts of which date back almost 1,000 years. It is surrounded by a large churchyard full of interesting flora and fauna with graves and monuments reflecting many aspects of our local heritage over hundreds of years.
Travel with us through the centuries as you encounter the 8th Century carved dragon stone, the 15th Century stone entrance porch, our 17th Century carved wooden pews, our 19th and 20th Century stained-glass windows and much, much more.
Then take a look at our ‘Everyday Histories’ displays which showcase some of the many people involved in our church through the centuries – rich and poor, mine owners and miners. Can you identify any of our choirboys from the 1930’s and 1950’s, or the Bible Class from the early 1900’s?
You may choose to sit quietly in our prayer corner connecting with God and your inner-self or pick up an explorer backpack and venture into the church yard in search of small beasties and huge trees to connect with the environment. Then, after all that, you can have a cuppa and a chat and connect with your fellow visitors.
We have displays and activities for adults and children.
Refreshments are available. There is a KidZone with crafts and activities and quests for the children. Guided tours of the church are available on request and there will be guided tours up the tower to see the bells and bellringing on the Sunday.
Timings
- Saturday 12 September:
- 1000-1600
- Sunday 13 September:
- 1400-1600
How to get here
Travelling by car?
Darfield village lies on the A635 some five miles from Barnsley. We are readily accessible from the M1 and the A1 (M). Use postcode S73 9JZ to find us by Sat Nav.
Parking
Parking is available in the Church Hall car park across from the Museum, and there is also street parking available.
Travelling by bus?
The 218, 219 and X19 all travel to Darfield from Barnsley Interchange. We offer safe storage on-site for bicycles.
Hire our speakers
From schools and colleges to private clubs and groups, we’re happy to visit you at your venue to give illustrated talks about aspects of our museum. For more information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
Accessibility
We regret that wheelchair access is currently only available to the outdoor patio. We hope that better access can be made available in the future.
Dogs
Dogs may accompany guests on the outside patio. With the exception of guide and assistance dogs, dogs are not allowed into the museum or Tea Room.
Local Nature Walks
Click here for a list of local nature walks from the museum to complement your visit.
Darfield Area Amenities Society
Membership is available to join the Darfield Area Amenities Society (DAAS) for 2026.
Existing members can renew their membership or new members can obtain membership which is only £12 per year.
Members get four free, reduced or exclusive events a year, an events calendar showing the DAAS quarterly events, and a quarterly newsletter giving details of DAAS news and upcoming events at the Museum.
Anyone wishing to join can fill out an application form, these are available at Darfield Museum, please ask for details.
Contact us
If you wish to get in touch with us or ask a question please do so by sending us a message on Facebook or Twitter, dropping us an email, or calling one of the numbers below:
Museum: 01226 754593
Bookings: please email as below
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @DarfieldMuseum
Maurice Dobson Museum & Heritage Centre
2 Vicar Road, Darfield, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S73 9JZ
Groups
Volunteers from the Museum are happy to visit all manner of groups over a wide area, including schools to give illustrated talks etc. Please enquire by email: [email protected]