The Silkstone Inn is situated at the top of
Market Street, in the heart of Barnsley town
centre, and is the latest JD Wetherspoon pub in
town following the successful opening of the
nearby Joseph Bramah which opened in August
2006.
The Silkstone Inn emerged on 22 September
2008 after a four month, £1.2 million
redevelopment plan of the former Co-op store
building, the opening of the Silkstone Inn was
a milestone for Wetherspoon’s being their 700th
Pub.
The name refers to Barnsley History as The Capital of Coal Mining in South Yorkshire and
ref ers to one of the main coal seams, the Silkstone Seam, which was mined in Barnsley from
the late 19th century. The outcrop runs in a South, South Easterly direction from Cawthorne,
through Silkstone, Chapeltown to Dropping Well. The Seam was mined as far east as Great
Houghton at Houghton Main. Deep shafts were originally sunk at nearby Dodworth back in
1850 in order to work the Silkstone Seam.
On approaching the Silkstone Inn you are met with a European style outside covered seating
area, something quite new for the town centre. Inside the decor is something to behold. For
a modern pub great care has been taken to reflect the Mining theme. From the Winding Gear
sculpture to the modern open fire through and the coal like droplets on the lights. Great care
and thought has obviously been taken with the design which is something I can’t say for
most new pubs.
A trip to the Silkstone Inn for the real ale lover is a must.
Echoing the attention to detail it is nice to find a good
selection of real ales all of which grouped together centrally at
the bar.
The management and staff here are proud of the guest beers
they serve and the pub was LocAle accredited in October
2008. For Cider lovers hand pulled Weston’s
Old Rosie is alway s available.
As with all Wetherspoon’s outlets good value food is always
available as well as themed nights. Overall the Silkstone Inn is
much more typical of a pub than a Bar. Thanks to the great
hard work of the management and all the staff I’m sure The
Silkstone Inn will be yet another Wetherspoon's success.
