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.

Looking down Eldon Street from the bus station, with buildings either side of the road, circa 1930s

Eldon Street looking from the 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 see a selection of these plans and explore the history of some of the street’s key buildings by selecting an address from the drop-down menu. 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.  

Further information on the project and other related digital content is available here.

Keep up to date with the latest news on the project Twitter page.