Find out about the amazing choice of physical activities suitable for older people across the Barnsley borough in our directory below.
Search for a group or class which suits you. You will find details of where and when they meet and what they do. There’s also a phone and/or email to get in touch. Most are daytime activities either free or low cost.
This directory is brought to you by The Barnsley Older People Physical Activity Alliance (BOPPAA) led by Age UK Barnsley and funded by Barnsley Council.
BOPPAA aims to increase participation in physical activities that improve the strength, balance and wellbeing of older people. It brings together NHS, public and private sector and voluntary organisations offering physical activity opportunities suitable for everyone in their 50s and above.
For further information, call Age UK Barnsley on 01226 776820 or email enquiries@ageukbarnsley.org.uk. *NB Each provider is responsible for delivery of their own activities/services – please see their contacts in the directory below.
You can browse through all the listings or filter by the type of activity you’re interested in, the part of borough where you live (please Show Map to see what each area covers) or the day of the week you want to get active.
Provider: Carlton Bowling Club
Area: North East
Venue: Carlton Bowling Club, Carlton Park, Church Street, Carlton, Barnsley S71 3EU
Level: Other
Booking essential
An opportunity to play crown green bowls.
April to September. All levels of bowling experience would be welcome. An opportunity to meet new people, get fresh air and light exercise amongst friendly people. All you need is a pair of flat shoes or trainers. We can provide bowls if needed, or participants can bring their own. Booking would be preferable. You can call 07468 256552 or send the club a message on Carlton Bowling Club's Facebook page messenger.
Start date: 2026-03-16 End date: 2026-09-30<
Provider: u3a
Area: Central
Venue: Ardsley Bowling Club, Coronation Terrace, Ardsley S71 5BE
Booking essential
Summer activity begins in mid March and ends in late September. Groups play between 10 am and 12.00 noon at Ardsley Bowling Club (Monday to Friday). There are spaces available on all five weekday mornings and there are loads of spare bowls for anyone wanting to give Crown Green Bowling a try. Contact any of the Coordinators.
More details about u3a activities can be found on bu3a.u3asite.uk website. Membership is required, costing £15.00 per year. For more information: coordinators running the groups can be emailed from u3a website bu3a.u3asite.uk/groups/
Provider: Better Health Walks
Area: Central
Venue: Meeting Point: Wharncliffe Community Centre, 15 Wharncliffe, Dodworth, Barnsley S75 3QA
For more information about the walks get in touch: jackcadman@barnsley.gov.uk
Provider: Barnsley Pickleball
Area: South
Venue: Hoyland Leisure Centre, West Street, Barnsley S74 9EH
Level: Moderate intensity/Light intensity
Booking essential
Come along and learn to play Pickleball with Barnsley Pickleball's IPTPA qualified coach. This gentle and easy-to-learn game is a fun and sociable activity. We will go through the principles of the game step by step and after your first hour you will be playing a match.
£10 per class. Open all year round. Booking is required. Contact via email: barnsleypickleball@gmail.com or call Emma 07789 956605.
Provider: u3a
Venue: Variable
Level: Other
Booking essential
Wednesday Ramblers. This group meets fortnightly on Wednesdays at 9.45 for a 10 am start. Walks are 4 to 5 miles long but may vary in severity. The walk leader will give information as to number of stiles, severe inclines etc but individual walkers are responsible to considering if the walk and the weather conditions at the time are suitable for themselves. Some walks meet at a pub on the condition that some members would stay for lunch or a drink. Other walks meet in a public car park with nearby lunch venues if members wish to socialise after the walk.
More details about u3a activities can be found on bu3a.u3asite.uk website. Membership is required, costing £15.00 per year. For more information: coordinators running the groups can be emailed from u3a website bu3a.u3asite.uk/groups/
Provider: Lesley Featherstone
Area: Penistone
Venue: Tankersley Welfare Hall
Level: Light intensity/Moderate intensity
Booking essential
Light chair based exercise. Contact Lesley on 07713 510910 for further details.
Provider: B:Friend
Area: Dearne
Venue: Bolton upon Dearne Social Club, St Andrew's Sq Community Centre, S63 8DD
Level: Light intensity
Booking essential
B:friend Social Club, with regular physical activity. Weekly social club for older people with a range of activities, including physical activities such as dance, yoga and pilates at least once a month.
Booking Essential. Contact Jenny Pitman on 07895 725377. There is no charge for the session. Donations towards the costs of teas/coffees are welcomed.
Provider: Springvale Community Garden
Area: Penistone
Venue: Springvale Community Garden, Off Sheffield Road, Springvale, Penistone, Sheffield, S36 6HJ
Level: Light intensity
Volunteering in the garden. Opportunities at Springvale Community Garden include all aspects of gardening and maintenance of the site, include general vegetable and flower gardening, site and orchard maintenance, looking after the pond and maintaining the footpaths and walkways.
Booking is not essential. For more information contact Springvale Community Garden at springvalecommunitygarden@yahoo.co.uk
Provider: Next Steps Forward
Venue: Variable
Level: Moderate intensity
Next Steps Forward Walking Group. Walks within Barnsley and district for people living with and beyond breast cancer. All walks are risk assessed, are at a moderate pace to suit individual needs. There are always two walk leaders, one at the front and one at the rear of the group. The routes vary each week.
FREE of charge. Intermediate level. Booking is not essential. For further information call Pat on 07493 817870
Provider: National Trust
Area: Penistone
Venue: Wentworth Castle Gardens, Stainborough, S75 3EN
Level: Moderate intensity
Beginners’ Running Group. Would you like to get into running but you’re not sure where to begin, or you’re in need of some support? In this group, you can gradually build up your fitness and confidence in the beautiful surroundings of Wentworth Castle Gardens, with the support of qualified run leaders.
For further information see the website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wentworth-castle-gardens/events or call 01226 323072. Booking not required. Free for National Trust members; for non-members there is a reduced admission fee of £3.
Provider: Mind Body and Spirit Barnsley
Area: Central
Venue: Mind Body and Spirit Barnsley, 110 Dodworth Road, Barnsley, S70 6HL
Level: Light intensity/Moderate intensity
Booking essential
Over 65s Pilates
Booking essential. For more information and to book call Adriana on 07769 996438 or book online at https://www.mind-bodyandspirit.com/booking/ Class duration is 60 minutes and the cost is £8.00 per session.
Provider: OnPAR Health
Area: Central
Venue: ONPAR Health, Worsbrough Dale, Barnsley, United Kingdom, S70 4ST
Booking essential
These sessions are specially designed for our more mature clients, with a focus on building strength, enhancing fitness, and maintaining mobility. They are suitable for all fitness levels, offering a supportive and effective way to stay active and strong.
For further information visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/onparhealth or email us at: onparhealthclub@gmail.com
Provider: Barnsley Wellbeing Walks
Area: North East
Venue: Meeting point: Outside Cudworth Library, S72 8UQ
Level: Other
Cudworth Circuit Wellbeing Walk. Join walk leader Les and the friendly group on a circular walk from Cudworth Library, through the park and into green spaces. The walk takes you on public footpaths, through the park, on a dirt track trail, through fields and back towards Cudworth Library. The walk does have slight inclines. There are a few rest stops along the way to regroup. The walk can get muddy, and the surface is uneven, therefore, it is advised to wear sensible footwear to avoid slips and trips. The walk is dog friendly, and the owner is asked to keep the dog on a lead. There is a free car park near Cudworth Library, or you can catch the Stagecoach bus 27, 27a or 27b that drops you off just after Abbey Veterinary Centre.
For further information contact Barnsley Wellbeing Walks via email at: sport&activerecreation@barnsley.gov.uk.
Provider: Barnsley Wellbeing Walks
Area: South
Venue: Meeting point: At the top of Summer Lane car park, S73 0DQ
Level: Light intensity
Wombwell Circuit Wellbeing Walk. Join walk leader Roger and the friendly bunch of walkers on a circular route around Wombwell parks and green spaces. The walk consists of a mixture of road paths, dirt paths and field tracks. There are various easy walking routes in the area using the Trans Pennine Trail, the walk leader decides which route to take depending on the weather and the ability of the group. The routes are easy with slightly uneven surfaces and slight inclines. The group is friendly, welcoming and takes rest stops if required. The walk can be muddy, but the walk leader tries to avoid this where possible. There is free parking available at the meeting point in the Summer Lane Car Park. You can also catch buses 22x, 223, 226, 649,662 and X20 that stop on Park Street, a short walk away from the meeting point.
For further information contact Barnsley Wellbeing Walks via email at: sport&activerecreation@barnsley.gov.uk.
Provider: Healthy Bones
Area: Central
Venue: Barnsley Baptist Church
Level: Other
Booking essential
A fun way to keep active, and improve your general wellbeing.
Falls Prevention - Entry/Intermediate/Advanced. First six sessions are free. £5 per session thereafter. To book, call Bronia at Healthy Bones on 07895 380615.
