Welcome to an exhibition celebrating Barnsley’s textile makers! The borough has centuries of stories of weaving, sewing and quilting to tell. Whether it’s a McLintock’s jacket, a Barnsley linen tea towel or a snappy Sugdens shirt, our fabric products were known for innovation and top quality.

We’ve chosen items from the museum and archive collections which show some of the people, processes and products of this rich textile history. Find out more in the displays, leave us your own memories and have a go at making!

There’s plenty to do for your young makers as well with a snuggle den, giant weaving loom and lots of creative activities.

A virtual tour of the exhibition
A Mclintock's illustration
A Mclintock's illustration

Did you work at a textile factory?

We'd like to hear from you! There is a screen in the exhibition which we are adding your photographs and memories to. Email your images to experiencebarnsley@barnsley.gov.uk or contact us through social media.

Below are a selection of staff photographs from Corah's

Find Out More!

We have lots of great digital activities running alongside the exhibition for you to try out, including a selection of textile-related jigsaws, histories of Barnsley's linen industry to listen and read, or why not try a new skill with the help of our themed collection of e-books and magazines. 

Textile Tuesdays at Experience Barnsley

'Textile Tuesdays' at Experience Barnsley

(PDF, 14.4 MB)

Download all the worksheets for 'Textile Tuesdays', if you can't make it to the town hall then have fun trying these fun creations at home.

Download file - 'Textile Tuesdays' at Experience Barnsley