Have a blast at Cannon Hall (From Advertiser Series)

Have a blast at Cannon Hall

8:13am Monday 15th June 2009

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f you are looking for somewhere to take the family that won’t cost a fortune, you could do a lot worse than head for Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens, near Barnsley, where all it will cost you is £2.50 for car parking. Cheap as chips!

For 200 years the hall was the home of the Spencer-Stanhope family, who made their fortune in the local iron industry.

Since 1957, the hall has been a museum containing collections of fine furniture, old master paintings, stunning glassware and colourful pottery.

In addition, it is home to Charge!, the Regimental Museum of the 13th/18th Royal Hussars (Queen Mary’s Own) – a fascinating museum full of adventure and facts.

Constable and Hepplewhite are just two of the familiar names you’ll find as you walk around the Georgian and Victorian rooms. As well as stunning ceramics by William de Morgan and Moorcroft, highlights include Mrs Tudert by John Constable and Wheelback Chairs by George Hepplewhite.

The Regimental Museum, which is a must for anyone interested in military history, illustrates the part played by the Regiment in battles such as the Charge of the Light Brigade, as well as some memorabilia dedicated to Lord Baden-Powell, who founded the Scout movement.

Cannon Hall is well worth a visit for the grounds alone. Seventy acres of parkland and gardens – landscaped in the 1760s by Richard Woods – are ideal for a relaxing walk, family outing or picnic. The house is flanked by spectacular mature rhododendrons in a wide spectrum of colours, many of which are still in bloom.

Next to the hall is a secluded walled garden with seating, which can be enjoyed all year round. In September, there’s an annual event to celebrate the pear trees which were first grown here in the early 18th century.

If you take a look in one of the greenhouses, you will find a 200-year-old vine, which was grown from a seed brought from the Continent in 1802. The vine was so prolific that a cutting was exported to Australia where it was cultivated, and today its descendants produce some of the country’s finest wines.

Take a stroll across the parkland to the stream where geese and ducks nest, but resist the temptation to feed them. Beside the stream is a garden centre with café, where you can easily spend a pleasant hour. If you fancy even more of a walk, you can go the extra half-mile-or-so to the pretty village of Cawthorne where there is a traditional pub for refreshment.

Next weekend, Cannon Hall is hosting a flower festival to raise some “blooming marvellous” cash for a leading cancer centre. A Festival For Life, An Exposition Of Floral Fantasy, runs from Friday to Sunday to raise funds for The Yorkshire Cancer Centre, based at St James’s Hospital in Leeds.

As well as 40 innovative floral designs, there will be demonstrations provided by some of Europe’s leading florists.

Throughout the day, visitors will not only enjoy the modern displays in the grounds, but also the Family For Life display, which includes 16 large, decorated wooden figures holding hands – symbolising how anyone can be affected by cancer during some stage in their lives.

And, as Fathers Day falls on the final day of the festival, a Fathers Fun Day will take place aimed at all the family, complete with children’s entertainers and a hog roast.

Next door to Cannon Hall Museum is Cannon Hall Farm, a must-see for animal lovers. From alpacas to wallabies, baby animals are born every week – but watch out for the pygmy goat kids, because they love to squeeze through the bars and run around the farmyard trying to steal food from the other animals and visitors.

The farm is also home to some kune kune pigs from New Zealand. They may not be pretty, but they are friendly and love to be fed.

Younger members of the family will no doubt want to head for the adventure playground where they can play for hours. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of space for you to sit and rest your weary feet while you watch the children let off steam.

If all this activity builds up an appetite, there’s a tea room and a farm shop, and you probably won’t be able to leave without paying a visit to the gift shop.

Factfile

Cannon Hall Museum is open from April to October: Wednesday to Friday 10.30am to 5pm; Saturday and Sunday 12pm to 5pm; (last admission is at 4.15pm).

Cannon Hall Farm: Admission £3.95 adults, £3.50 children.

How to get there: M1 Junction 38; Cannon Hall Museum is off the A635 Barnsley to Holmfirth Road.

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