Art Outdoors in Wakefield

Any discussion of art outdoors simply has to include Yorkshire Sculpture Park! This gallery is carved from over 500 acres of rolling Yorkshire countryside, with world class artworks at every turn. Visitors can easily spend a whole day here, with plenty of walking routes, an ever-changing exhibitions programme, and scenic spots to pause and take it all in. It’s also a fantastic place for families, with wide open spaces and vibrant installations encouraging children to discover art in their own way.

West Bretton, Wakefield, WF4 4LG
Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-6pm
Tickets are £10 for adults, under 18s FREE, concessions available.

Find an oasis of calm amid the hustle and bustle of the city centre at The Hepworth Wakefield Garden. Designed by internationally acclaimed landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith, this beautiful green space is free for all to enjoy. The garden is dotted with outdoor sculptures by the likes of Barbara Hepworth, Halima Cassell and Sir Michael Craig-Martin, and the planting itself is also a thing of beauty, with eye-catching blooms year-round.

Gallery Walk, Wakefield, WF1 5AW
Open all day, 7 days a week
FREE

The Wakefield Sculpture Trail is a series of sculptures across the city, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to experience and enjoy world-class art. The sculptures were commissioned for the city in 2023. All of the artists have strong connections to Wakefield and the local area, and each artist has created a work especially for the place, its history and communities.

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Locations across Wakefield city centre
Any time, any day
FREE

Set within a nature reserve, War Horse, A Place of Peace To Be Together is a moving memorial sculpture by Cod Steaks commemorating the 353 soldiers from the town who were killed in the First World War. Nearby, the commemorative woodland adds another layer of meaning, with each tree standing as a living tribute. Together, the landscape and sculpture create a place that invites reflection, where the landscape and sculpture work together to create a sense of peace.

Mill Pond Meadow, Streethouse, Featherstone, WF7 5DF
Any time, any day
FREE

Stretching along the edge of Savile Park in Whitwood, Castleford, the vibrant Savile Park Mural transforms a familiar path into a vibrant journey through local life. Created by local artist Tony Wade – with the help of the community – each panel reflects the people, places and pastimes that give Whitwood its character, from sport and leisure to nature and local landmarks.

Lumley Street, Castleford, WF10 5LL
Any time, any day
FREE

The Storytelling Tree stands proud in the picturesque grounds of Pontefract Castle. Carved from a weeping ash by Thomas Chainsaw Carvings, it contains images reflecting many of the stories of the castle, including Henry VIII and Katharine Howard, the Key to the North, Richard II and many of the castle’s current inhabitants scampering across it – including an owl, fox and squirrel.

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Castle Garth, Pontefract, WF8 1QH
Monday-Friday, 8:30am – 5pm; Saturday-Sunday, 9:30am – 5pm
FREE

These bright and colourful murals can be found on Westgate, in Wakefield city centre. Inspired by industrial heritage, architecture and local stories, they’re the work of artist Ekaterina Sheath. The artworks can be found on buildings including Unity Hall, Theatre Royal Wakefield and The Lodge at the Orangery, illustrating unique stories relating to the buildings, such as a portrait of writer George Gissing at the Gissing Centre, and a collection of vibrant characters that have featured on the Theatre’s stage over the years.

Buildings all along Westgate
Any time, any day
FREE

These vibrant vintage-style subway posters, located on the Beancroft Road subway in Castleford, are the work of local artist Ellie Way. Inspired by the classic graphic posters of the London Underground, the series of 66 large-scale framed posters showcase a visual timeline of Castleford, celebrating everything from its industrial roots, to its sporting legacy and cultural events, alongside the people and places that have shaped the town over time.

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Beancroft Road, WF10 5BU
Any time, any day
FREE