Opening Hours

Day	Open	Closed
Saturday	10:00	14:00
Wednesday	13:00	16:00

Summer - Easter to 31st October: Saturday 10.00am - 4.00pm Sunday 2.00pm - 5.00pm Wednesday 1.00pm - 4.00pm Winter, 1st November to Easter: Saturday 10.00am - 2.00pm Wednesday 1.00pm - 4.00pm They also open at pre-arranged times for groups or societies.

Location Info

A Museum

Displaying some of the antiques bequeathed by the late Maurice Dobson, (previous owner of the property)  and artefacts in two rooms that are illustrative of Darfield’s rich heritage. Guides are available and the facilities are suitable for parties from schools; groups of older persons or individuals exploring the local area.

An Outlet

Displaying and selling a variety of craft items created locally by craftspeople of all ages. These include work in ceramics; wood; cross-stitch; paper; resin; all manner of art media; etc. There are also leaflets of local walks & attractions; postcards and the usual variety of small items.

A Café-Gallery

Where visitors after viewing the museum may refresh themselves with a drink and home made produce whilst viewing paintings from local artists, (usually for sale). The display is changed monthly. This area is also available for hire by small groups wanting a pleasant small meeting place equipped with all facilities. It is very comfortably furnished with chairs and tables and the kitchen is well equipped.

A Meeting Place

Where small groups can meet comfortably, these already include; The Darfield Pergamano Group; The Darfield Hookers and Prodders Group; The Low Valley Art Workshop and the Darfield Womens Institute. The Darfield Ward Councillors hold their monthly surgeries there.

Promotional Film

This short film was produced by students from Sheffield University School of Architecture in November 2015 to promote the Maurice Dobson Museum. This was part of the University’s Live Projects initiative where groups of students work with a client on a real life project. For this project the students worked with the Maurice Dobson Museum in Darfield, South Yorkshire to look at how the museum could be expanded. Not only did this look at the building but also the branding, promotion and way the Museum engages with the community.

Memories of Maurice

Maurice Dobson was an enigmatic and curious character. A former miner, WW2 veteran and antiques collector with a museum bearing his name.

He was born in Wombwell in 1912 and followed his father and brothers into the pit, working at Mitchell Main Colliery. After serving in North Africa and the Middle East throughout the Second Word War he returned to the Dearne Valley permanently in 1956 with his partner Fred Halliday. Together they ran the shop at 2 Vicar Road, Darfield, until the 1980s. The shop is now the Maurice Dobson Museum and Heritage Centre.

This short film brings together the memories of people who knew him.

Thank you to the Maurice Dobson Museum volunteers and everyone who came along to share their stories.

The Life of Maurice Dobson

In April 2016 we worked with the Maurice Dobson Museum and Qdos Creates to produce a one man play based on the life of Maurice Dobson. The play utilised recollections of people for the Memories of Maurice film and archive research at the museum.

Local actor Simon Carr played Maurice and he was directed by Jow Rose,

You can watch a filmed version of the play by Patteran Productions here: