Eldon Street is one of the main historic high streets in Barnsley Town Centre. It was first laid out by the Corporation in 1840, as the town centre began to expand beyond its earlier medieval core.

Over the years Eldon Street has been home to a wide range of commercial, residential and cultural buildings. From a wooden circus and multiple theatres, to warehouses, shops, pubs, a public hall and even Barnsley’s first free public library, the buildings on Eldon Street, past and present, have some fascinating stories to tell.

Eldon Street from bus station c.1930s

Eldon Street from bus station c.1930s

As part of the Eldon Street High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) staff and volunteers have researched many aspects of Eldon Street’s history. Barnsley Archives holds many building plans for Eldon Street, and a number of these have been conserved and digitised as part of the project.

You can a selection of these plans and explore the history of some of the street’s key buildings via the link below. If you would like to find out more, you can visit Barnsley Archives and Local Studies in the Town Hall or email archives@barnsley.gov.uk.

The Eldon Street High Street Heritage Action Zone is a partnership project between Barnsley Council and Historic England.