The Cooper Gallery
The Cooper Gallery
4.5

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles81 reviews
Excellent
62
Very good
17
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
2

Deborah P
Holyhead, UK62 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2022
We travelled to see the Harry Ousey exhibition. It was just brilliant, a beautifully curated loo- back at his life's work.

The travelling exhibition from the British Museum 'Pushing Paper' contemporary drawing from 1970 was also on show, what a bonus.

We had breakfast before we looked round. The food's great and the women in the cafe were so welcoming. Everyone was welcoming. We had a really memorable arty foodie day.
Written January 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Christine K
Barnsley, UK836 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023 • Solo
Had a bit of time to kill before a meeting at the Town Hall and needed lunch so decided to pop in here. The Gallery itself
Is only small, as two areas were closed awaiting a new exhibition. The cafe serves delicious food, reasonably priced but again is only small. I was offered a table for one, right by a radiator, which was very welcome given the temperature outside. Will definitely call here again for lunch when at the Town Hall
Written January 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Louise T
Sheffield, United Kingdom83 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
Great Cooper Prize 2023 Exhibition with fabulous participants. The fine art collection is very interesting. Good children’s interaction section & will bring our grandchildren.
Great cafe which is very popular due to fabulous food and staff.
The shop had great items for sale especially the Barnsley Christmas cards!
We’ll be back.
Written November 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cheryl B
Blaxton, UK40 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020
What a little hidden gem. Afternoon tea with my sister. Absolutely amazing , beautiful inside and sue was the ultimate hostess. The food was to die for, and the fresh coffee or any flavour tea, in proper china cups, it’s really worth a visit, walk through the sensory garden, to a delight. I’ll be back.
Written August 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Steve
London, UK962 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2014 • Couples
If you are in and around town this place is definitely worth a visit, the gallery is small but interesting. Plenty of arts and crafts for sale and although we didn't eat the place was busy and seemed very reasonably priced.
Written December 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gorseinonboy45
Lincoln, UK113 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2013 • Couples
The Cooper Gallery has a small area which serves incidental lunches like sandwiches etc. My wife and I lunched there yesterday. We wish we hadn't. Our sandwiches and what passed as a "salad garnish" were edible but I have eaten better in rural areas of Pakistan.

The real problem arose, however, when I requested water from the tap to go with our meal. The reaction was very poor indeed - I would describe it as a scowl - and I was advised I could buy a bottle of water for 75p, I think......but that they didn't serve water from a tap.

Now yesterday was a very heavy, hot and humid day.....just the time when a customer oriented business should be offering tap water in jugs on every table. I was never asked if we required the water for medication etc which would be a question I'd ask if I were the manager.

We left with a very sour taste in our very dry mouths and went to Costa where chilled water was available with our coffees!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Come on Cooper Gallery, Come on the bistro or whatever posh word you use to describe yourself. Get yourselves into the 21st Century.

This was poor service. We will as you guess never return to your establishment...........
Written July 13, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BettBed
Pontefract, UK31 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2019 • Friends
First visit yesterday to see the excellent Neil Pittaway exhibition and delighted with the Cooper Gallery. Very friendly staff, well laid out exhibits. It’s size gives it an intimate and welcoming feel, unlike some of the larger museums and galleries I’ve visited. The shop has some lovely quirky gifts, especially the jewellery. Pity the cafe was shutting (surprisingly early at 3.10pm) as it looked very nice and was/had been busy.

Barnsley people are so lucky to have this place, and we’ll definitely be back.
Written January 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ridolfi
York, UK38 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2019 • Solo
I came especially to Barnsley to visit this Gallery, and was not disappointed. Upon reading some of the reviews, I'm surprised that they tend to focus around the cafe - which is good, but the art is fantastic. Based near the city centre, the Cooper Gallery is set in a cute stone building opposite St. Mary's Church. As you enter, it is well-lit and the staff are extremely friendly.

The curation of the collection was really impressive, with some brilliant works from a range of artists (known and unknown). Particular painterly highlights were the 'Wooded Valley' by John Atkinson Grimshaw and all the Eugene Isabey's. The only small point I would make is that a few of the works were hung a little low. The 'Artists and Adventurers' exhibition was a delight, and illuminated some very fine works by women in the collection.

The thing I noticed most about the Gallery, was how much effort they had made with children's activities. The activity backpacks were lined along the wall, and there was clearly a well-thought out effort in each room to engage the kids. It isn't something I was looking for, and not something that has stood out in other galleries, but I really applaud the Cooper Gallery with this element.

The day was finished off with tea and cake at the cafe, which proved to be an excellent finisher. Overall, this is a fine gallery that is well thought-out and gives the visitor plenty to think about. If you have kids - GO, if you don't have kids - GO.
Written January 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jean M
Barnsley, UK5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2018 • Couples
Lovely home made food, friendly staff,reasonably priced. Very quick efficient service. Takeaway salads etc mouth watering.......and the cakes.
Written August 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kathleen W
Barnsley, UK25 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2018 • Couples
Cooper Gallery has more to see than meets the eye. The building is deceiving. There are different exhibitions throughout the year. Beautiful jewellery and porcelain and glass items on sale, perfect for gifts. The cafe is a must but is best avoided between 1.00pm and 2.00pm when what seems like the whole of Barnsley's workforce gathers for lunch. The food is delicious, loads to choose from, jacket potatoes, salads, hot meals such as pasta or homemade pie and the cakes etc are homemade and also delicious. Prices are so reasonable that the whole family could afford to visit.
Written June 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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The Cooper Gallery - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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