Pride of Yorkshire trail roars into Barnsley

Barnsley has joined the roar as part of Pride of Yorkshire, a free sculpture trail celebrating 150 years of Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

Running until Sunday 6 September, 20 life-sized lion and lioness sculptures can be discovered across the borough, forming part of a trail of 150 large sculptures and 150 lion cubs across South Yorkshire. The sculpture trail is created and organised by Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity.

Designed by artists, schools and community groups, the trail offers families and visitors a fun, free way to explore Barnsley and beyond this summer while helping raise vital funds towards the redevelopment of Sheffield Children’s Hospital’s Emergency Department.

From The Glass Works to Penistone Paramount and Monk Bretton Priory to Goldthorpe, the sculptures are in the paw-fect locations across the borough for you to explore.

The trail includes a Lion in ode to Barnsley Football Club outside Oakwell Stadium and a Lioness named Underneath the Stars, celebrating Barnsley’s own Kate Rusby.

Elsewhere, there is a tribute to Barry Hines' beloved and iconic Kes called The Boy and the Bird by Matt Sewell in Hoyland town centre, while RSPB Old Moor is home to La Dame de Millefleurs, a piece celebrating the flora and fauna of South Yorkshire and painted by Jessica Salazar, who was inspired by the famous Lady and the Unicorn tapestries.

Visitors will be able to find and keep track of their sculptures with a physical printed trail map which is available from the Visitor Centre at Elsecar Heritage Centre and the shop at Experience Barnsley Museum along with other merchandise.

Matt O’Neill, Executive Director for Place, said: “The Pride of Yorkshire trail coming to Barnsley is a fantastic opportunity to discover the whole borough, from The RSPB Old Moor and Elsecar Heritage Centre to Monk Bretton and Goldthorpe.

“Exploring our whole borough during the trail will help create memorable experiences and make it the perfect free family day out throughout the summer. It’s fantastic that Barnsley is taking part in this South Yorkshire-wide art trail, which is really putting the region on the map.”

To find out more about the Pride of Yorkshire trail and to plan your route, head to prideofyorkshire.org.