-
.
Eldon Street High Street Heritage Action Zone
The Eldon Street High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) is an exciting 4-year partnership project between Barnsley Council and Historic England. It launched in 2020 and will run until the end of March 2024.
Eldon Street, in Barnsley town centre was first laid out in the 1840s. It quickly became an important gateway to the town, with the first railway station opening on Eldon Street in 1850. Eldon Street also quickly became a commercial and cultural hub, with bustling theatres, shops, pubs and markets. Today Eldon Street forms an important link between the Old Town and the new Glassworks development, at the heart of Barnsley Town Centre. However, as with many historic high streets, the area has faced challenges in recent years. The HSHAZ will help to rejuvenate Eldon Street and improve connectivity within the town.
The HSHAZ is working with local businesses and property owners to fund conservation repairs to key historic buildings on the west side of Eldon Street. The landmark project is the Civic, Barnsley, formerly the Barnsley Mechanics Institute and Public Hall. Despite delays caused by the pandemic, planning is going well and we’re hoping to see activity start on site in 2022.
The HSHAZ has also worked with the local community to uncover and celebrate the stories and often overlooked heritage of one of Barnsley’s most important historic high streets.
Quest For The Eldon Beast Choose Your Own Adventure Game
We need your help! The Eldon Beast has gone missing and without it Eldon Street will descend into chaos. It was last seen heading to the Goblin Underworld. Can you track it down by solving riddles and making the right decisions?
Eldon Street HSHAZ: End of Project Review
Reflecting on four years of the Eldon Street HSHAZ
Simon Armitage
Simon Armitage, England’s Poet Laureate, took up a residency in Barnsley as part of the Eldon Street High Street Heritage Action Zone. In his role, Simon created a series of new works inspired by the stories of Eldon Street
The Un-Naturalists
The HSHAZ worked with Barnsley street theatre company Mark Mark Productions to create the ‘Barnsley Unnaturalists Wonders of Eldon Street’ an alternative history tour.
The Brides of Eldon Street
The Eldon Street Brides aka We Great Ladies have visited shops with photographer James Mulkeen, to explore and illustrate local people’s love for Eldon Street
Eldon Street Blogs
Over the last four years we have created several blogs about the history of Eldon Street and the HSHAZ project
1960s Eldon Street Model
Let us transport you back in time with a digital model of Eldon Street in the 1960s.
Eldon Street Archives
In the last four years of the Eldon Street High Street Heritage Action Zone we've uncovered some amazing stories in the collections of Barnsley Archives.
Secret Blues of Eldon Street
Created by students from Horizon College these 14 temporary plaques took visitors on an unexpected journey through some of the colourful characters and surprising stories of historic Eldon Street.
Talks and Tours
Watch talks and take a virtual stroll back in time with 360° tours