Train Services

Wakefield is well-connected, with plenty of public transport options. The city is served by two train stations, Westgate and Kirkgate. Westgate is operated by LNER, with local trains including Leeds, Doncaster, Selby, York, Sheffield and Derby, and long distance services to London King’s Cross, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Bristol and Plymouth. Kirkgate is operated by Northern Rail and includes services to Bradford Interchange, Sheffield, Manchester Piccadilly, Nottingham and Lincoln.

Pontefract has no less than three train stations: Pontefract Baghill, Pontefract Monkhill and Pontefract Tanshelf, which between them serve a wide range of destinations (even including London via Grand Central). Castleford Train Station is operated by Northern Rail with destinations across the region and beyond.

Bus Services

Arriva Bus operate regular services in Wakefield. Make your journey easier with live tracking, journey planning and purchase tickets via the Arriva app , or find up-to-date information and a journey planner at wymetro.com.

Once you’re in the city, it couldn’t be easier to get around – just hop on the Wakefield Free City Bus! This little bus travels between city centre locations (including The Hepworth Wakefield, The Ridings Shopping Centre and Trinity Walk) the two railway stations and the bus station and runs every 10-12 minutes, Monday-Saturday. Each vehicle is fully accessible and can carry one wheelchair at a time.

Cycling

Wakefield is a great place to be a cyclist, with an abundance of cycle paths and routes to enjoy. Take a look at our Insider Guide to the top bike routes in the district, or check out the Cycle Wakefield website for routes, groups, events – and even where to learn! Bike riding culture vultures will love The Art House‘s Cycle To Culture Map, a circular route of cultural hotspots around the city. They also have a colourful cycle station, and a cycle repair station for minor repairs and pumping up your tires – there’s even a 10% discount at the Coffee House and Shop for anyone who cycles to The Art House!

Electric Vehicles

If you drive an EV, you’ll find charge points all across the district. Click here for a map to find your nearest.

Walking

Walking is a great way to experience our beautiful district, and we’ve got self-guided walks galore! Take a look at our Walks & Trails category to find some a walk for you, or read about The Wakefield Way, and our top Heritage Walks around the city centre.

Country Parks

The district’s country parks have almost 40 years’ of Green Flag accreditation between them! Anglers Country Park has had Green Flag status since 2008, Haw Park Wood has had Green Flag status since 2007, Pugneys Country Park since 2020 and Pontefract Park since 2022.

We’re pretty proud of our other parks and green spaces, too. With a district that’s almost 70% rural, they provide habitats for a wealth of wildlife, as well being spaces of peace and tranquility for humans.

The Hepworth Wakefield

Wakefield city’s renowned gallery has put in place many green policies. At The Hepworth Wakefield Gallery Cafe, all food is produced in-house by chefs who offer a sustainable and seasonal menu which highlights locally-sourced produce. Uses local suppliers to reduce carbon footprint. Since 2022, the café has weekly food waste collections through ReFood who process the food into Biogas for fuel and fertiliser.

The Hepworth Wakefield Garden has improved The Hepworth Wakefield’s biodiversity on site, offering rich pollen and nectar food sources for insects and birds.

Wakefield Museums and Castles

Wakefield Museums and Castles use sustainable materials in exhibitions as standard wherever possible. This includes fully recyclable graphic panels made from eco-friendly board and PVC-free vinyl with no chlorine or plasticisers.

Wakefield Museum‘s exhibition “A World of Good” won an International Green Apple Environment Award 2022 for Helping the Environment, and was also shortlisted for the Museums and Heritage Sustainable Project of the Year Award 2022, and shortlisted for the Museums Change Lives ‘Best Project’ 2021 Award.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) aims to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030. It aims to increase the quality and range of habitats to encourage a higher level of biodiversity. There is a zero waste to landfill approach with recycling bins located around the Park. YSP uses plastic-free and compostable food packaging in their cafes and restaurants, and their shops stock locally sourced food suppliers and environmentally conscious retail products. They use low energy LED lighting in their buildings, have an electric vehicle charging point at The Weston, and use electric vehicles and bikes for staff to carry out day-to-day tasks around the Park. All their Visitor Centres and galleries all powered by renewable energy sources.
Above all, YSP practice careful management of their 500 acres of landscape to create rich and varied habitats for wildlife.

Campanile Hotel

Campanile Hotel, close to the city centre and M1, is accredited with a Green Tourism Bronze Award.

Holiday Inn Express Wakefield

The Holiday Inn Express is tucked away down Queen Street in the heart of the city. It has Green Tourism Bronze Award accreditation and is a IHG Green Engage hotel.

Ramada by Wyndham Wakefield

The Ramada by Wyndham, located in Ossett, close to the National Coal Mining Museum, has been awarded a Level 1 Wyndham Green Engage Award.

Wentbridge House Hotel

Stately Wentbridge House Hotel, set amidst the splendour of the Went Valley, and close to the market town of Pontefract, is the recipient of a Green Tourism Gold Award – the highest level available.

Vegan Options

Going meat-free is a great way to have an environmentally responsible visit. Luckily, you can enjoy some fantastic vegetarian and vegan food at venues in Wakefield. Enjoy the fragrant flavours of Abyssinian restaurant Corarima or get your daily caffeine fix at fully vegan coffee house Throwback. Enjoy Vietnamese-Thai fusion at Tet, and Japanese favourites (including sushi platters, katsu curry, poke bowls and more) at Little Lotus. Putting the green in the flag of Mexico is No Manches (you can make any vegetarian dish vegan with their vegan cheese and mayo which tastes so good you’d swear it was the real deal). If you have a sweet tooth, Doboy Donuts have plenty of vegan options to keep you (and your tummy) supremely happy.

Water Bottle Refill

No need to buy bottled water when we have water bottle refill stations all across the district. Check the Refill app to find water bottle refill locations near you while you’re on the go.

Coffee Shops

Bring a reusable coffee cup when you visit one of our cafes and coffee shops, or if you don’t have one, there’s no better place to pick one up for the future!

Bakes by Vanilla Bean use zero-plastic cups (courtesy of No More Lids), and have reusable cups (hot and cold cups – which can even be personalised) available to buy.

Kraft Koffee also use 100% compostable cups, and even offer a 5% discount when you bring your own cup with you.

Eat Local!

Reduce your food miles by eating local during your stay. Enjoy top quality local produce at our farm shops, regular markets and outstanding independent eateries.