Local Stories, National Growth

The Hepworth Wakefield turns 15 this year, and they’re marking the milestone with not one but two major exhibitions celebrating Wakefield’s remarkable art collection and the enduring legacy of Barbara Hepworth herself. Opening in March, Rhythm, Dance and Everything brings Hepworth’s iconic sculptures into conversation with bold contemporary artists exploring movement, the body and performance. Alongside it, Modern Art and Modern Life shines a spotlight on standout works from the city’s 20th‑century collection, charting the evolution of British modernism. And as ever, A Living Collection continues to grow, with newly acquired pieces by exciting artists joining much‑loved favourites by Hepworth, Henry Moore, L. S. Lowry and more.

And this is in addition to their other upcoming exhibitions, including a major retrospective of Mrinalini Mukherjee (23 May-1 November) and Lewis Hammond’s first museum presentation in the UK (23 May-1 November).

📍 The Hepworth Wakefield, WF1 5AW
📅 Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 5pm | Monday Closed

Castleford Tigers are celebrating their centenary, marking a hundred years since the club’s founding in 1926!

Their trademark black-and-amber kit shirt proudly features the names of 100 club legends embossed within the fabric.

They’ve launched a new heritage website featuring interactive statistics and a “That Was The Week That Was” section, a podcast discussing all things Cas, the centenary, reflecting on matches and more and – most exciting of all – the Roar of the Century project, a creative community programme bringing together dance, visual arts and heritage activities to celebrate the club’s rich history.

📍 OneBore Stadium, Wheldon Road, Castleford, WF10 2SD
📅 Find their next fixture

It’s been 200 years since Victorian eco-warrior Charles Waterton built the world’s first nature reserve right here in the Wakefield district, situated on the grounds around Walton Hall, which is now Waterton Park Hotel. To mark the bicentenary of his nine-feet-tall, three‑mile-long wildlife‑protecting wall, the Friends of Waterton’s Wall are launching WallFest 26! Taking place throughout May, the month‑long celebration will explore four themes – nature, creativity, heritage and wellbeing – with a wonderfully eclectic programme of talks, walks, workshops and community events. Local groups, charities, artists and businesses are all getting involved, and WallFest is shaping up to be a community‑powered tribute to one of Wakefield’s most fascinating environmental pioneers.

With lots still to be announced, it’s one to watch!

📍 Walton
📅 Throughout May

Trinity Walk turns 15 this May, and while they’re not throwing a birthday bash, they are gearing up for something seriously exciting: their landmark new Tenpin entertainment centre, set to open in late spring 2026. The former Debenhams top floor is being transformed into a full‑on leisure destination, complete with 24 bowling lanes, karaoke rooms, laser tag, arcade games, escape rooms, interactive darts, pool tables – and even a cocktail bar and diner! Work has been underway since 2025, and once complete, it’ll bring a whole new wave of fun for families, friends, and anyone up for a bit of friendly competition. It’s a brilliant boost to the city centre right in time for Trinity Walk’s milestone year!

📍 Trinity Walk, Wakefield, WF1 1QS
📅 Monday – Saturday 9am – 5pm | Sunday 10am-4pm

Theatre Royal Wakefield marks 40 years since its grand reopening in 1986, when the much‑loved Victorian theatre — originally designed by renowned architect Frank Matcham — was saved, restored and brought back to life with a glittering gala performance. To celebrate this modern milestone, they’re doing it all again with Gala Night: 40 Years Reimagined on 21 March 2026. Expect a star‑studded evening featuring performances from talented alumni who’ve gone on to shine on stages across the UK, all raising vital funds for the theatre’s community programmes. With options ranging from a three‑course dinner and champagne reception to show‑only tickets, it’s set to be a dazzling celebration in one of Wakefield’s most historic cultural landmarks.

📍 Theatre Royal Wakefield, 12 Drury Lane, Wakefield, WF1 2TE
📅 Box office hours Monday – Friday 10am – 4:30pm | Theatre opening hours vary by performance

After seeing the new Wuthering Heights adaptation, a visit to Haworth offers the chance to experience the real landscapes behind the story. Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë were born in Thornton, Bradford, before moving to Haworth, where the village and surrounding moors feel especially atmospheric in spring. Walking up the cobbled Main Street towards the Brontë Parsonage Museum, it’s easy to see the same sweeping moors that inspired the sisters’ writing, framed by independent shops, cafés and guesthouses. At the Parsonage, the Haunt Me Then… and Now exhibition explores global screen versions of Wuthering Heights, including the new vision with Margot Robbie as Cathy and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, before the landscape that shaped the novel opens out again just beyond the museum.

📍 Plan Your Visit to Haworth

Marking 25 years as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Saltaire is especially inviting in spring, when its neat stone streets, riverside paths and the grand mill at its heart are at their best. The village was established by Sir Titus Salt — the Victorian industrialist who created Salts Mill and the surrounding homes to give his workers healthier, better living conditions. Today, the mill is home to galleries, bookshops and design stores, along with relaxed cafés for a spring treat after wandering. The 20 Flowers for 2025 (and Some Bigger Pictures) exhibition brings bright, seasonal colour into the mill’s industrial spaces. Blending Victorian heritage with vibrant creativity, Saltaire has a spring buzz that brings the whole village to life.

📍 Plan Your Visit to Saltaire.

Ilkley sits beneath Rombalds Moor, where the legend of the giant Rombald still shapes the landscape and local stories. As spring arrives, the moor bursts into life — the heather lifts in colour, the rocks catch the first warmth of the season, and the Cow and Calf stand clear against brighter skies. Walkers trace ancient cup‑and‑ring stones and familiar paths with wide views across the Wharfe Valley, while the town’s independent cafés, bakeries and delis offer a welcoming pause after time on the hills. As part of the Walkers Are Welcome network with Baildon, Bingley and Burley in Wharfedale, Ilkley invites you to explore its landscapes, folklore and community spirit for an escape with a real sense of place.

📍 Plan Your Visit to Ilkley.

Harveys has been part of Halifax life for 100 years, evolving through every challenge while staying proudly independent and family‑run. Now led by Tracy Harvey, the fourth generation at the helm, the store blends its rich heritage with fresh, modern style. Discover exclusive fashion, beauty, shoes, gifts and homeware, all curated with care and supported by staff who truly know their craft. Harveys offers personalised shopping, spacious changing rooms, accessible floors and a welcoming in‑store restaurant—everything designed to make your visit enjoyable and inspiring. Every pound spent supports local jobs and keeps this much‑loved landmark thriving. Step inside and experience why Harveys remains a vibrant, joyful cornerstone of Halifax shopping.

📍 Plan Your Visit to Harveys, Commercial Street, Halifax, HX1 1LJ.

Porcus began when SJ and Nat Clegg left London to build a rare‑breed pig farm in the hills of Todmorden. What started small soon became a full field‑to‑fork venture, with Nat crafting sausages, bacon and British charcuterie using traditional methods. Today Porcus cares for over 120 free‑range native pigs and produces all charcuterie on site — one of the UK’s few fully integrated farm‑to‑fork operations, and proudly female‑run. Their work has featured on national television and earned recognition from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation for sustainable food innovation. Alongside charcuterie, their Meals in a Jar offer high‑quality, low‑waste convenience, with products available direct from the farm, online and nationwide. This September, meet Porcus at the Calderdale Festival of Food, 7–20 September 2026, with tastings, workshops and farm‑to‑fork experiences.

📍 Plan Your Visit to Calderdale Festival of Food.

The Victoria Theatre has been the beating heart of Halifax entertainment for 125 years. Since opening in 1901, it has evolved from a traditional concert hall into a vibrant modern venue while remaining deeply connected to its community. A year‑long anniversary celebration is underway, with behind‑the‑scenes social media content, heritage stories and an invitation for audiences to share memories using #VictoriaTheatre125. The theatre will also host Open Days on 11 October 2026 and 30 January 2027, alongside a new Friends exhibition at Bankfield Museum. Its historic bond with the Halifax Choral Society continues, while iconic events like Dick & Liddy’s Comedy Club and major touring acts keep the stage alive. After 125 years, the Victoria Theatre remains Calderdale’s cultural cornerstone.

📍 Plan Your Visit to The Victoria Theatre, 2 Fountain Street, Halifax, HX1 1BP.
📸 James at The Victoria Theatre © Trust a Fox Photography

The 25th anniversary of the reopening of Standedge Tunnel offers an opportunity to celebrate one of England’s most remarkable heritage attractions during English Tourism Week, highlighting how local stories contribute to national cultural growth. Reopened to navigation in 2001 after nearly 60 years of closure, Standedge Tunnel stands as a powerful example of successful heritage regeneration. Stretching over three miles beneath the Pennines, it is the longest, highest and deepest canal tunnel in Britain, forming a vital link between Marsden in Kirklees and Diggle in Greater Manchester.

The tunnel’s restoration was driven by the long‑term dedication of the Huddersfield Canal Society, supported by volunteers, local authorities and national partners. Their collective efforts demonstrate how community passion and collaboration can revive historic places, creating lasting economic, cultural and tourism benefits.

To mark the anniversary, events and visitor experiences will take place at Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre throughout 2026, including guided boat trips, family-friendly activities, live music and heritage interpretation. These celebrations will showcase the tunnel as both an internationally significant engineering achievement and a welcoming destination for today’s visitors.

📍 For information and events visit: Huddersfield Canal Society

Oakwell Hall and Country Park is one of the hosts of the National Gallery’s nationwide exhibition, The National Gallery: Art On Your Doorstep, bringing fourteen life-size reproductions of National Gallery paintings to the Country Park.

The interpretation accompanying each of the paintings has been co-authored by The National Gallery, Kirklees Museums & Galleries, and local groups: Batley High School for Girls, Ravenshall School, and Friday Wanderers – a women’s walking group in Dewsbury. These different voices represent a value shared by both Gallery partners, that art is for everyone to enjoy.

The free exhibition runs from 4 April until 30 September 2026. The displays will be accompanied by a public programme of performances, tours, and talks. Exhibition open daily from 10am to 5pm.

📍 Oakwell Hall & Country Park, Batley, WF17 9LG

HuddLitFest will celebrate its 20th anniversary in May 2026, marking two decades of bringing people together through stories, ideas and creativity.

An award-winning annual festival, HuddLitFest takes place each May with community, accessibility and inclusivity at its heart. Over the years, it has grown into a much-loved cultural highlight, welcoming audiences to venues across Huddersfield as well as online.

The festival’s vibrant programme celebrates books and authors, poetry and performance, alongside opportunities to meet well-known writers, discover new voices and develop creative skills. Events are designed to be welcoming and engaging for a wide range of audiences, from dedicated readers to curious newcomers.

Accessibility remains central to the festival’s ethos. Many events are free or low-cost, with hybrid and online options available. Selected events also include live subtitling by Stagetext, helping to ensure more people can take part. This commitment was recognised when HuddLitFest won the Accessible and Inclusive Award at the 2022 Yorkshire Post Tourism Awards.

As it reaches this major milestone, May 2026 promises to be a special year for the festival. Whether attending for the first time or returning once again, audiences are invited to celebrate 20 years of HuddLitFest and be part of the next chapter.

For the full schedule download the LitFest Brochure.

This 18th century Country House will be recognisable to any costume drama fan. It stars in Downton Abbey, ITV’s Victoria, Gentleman Jack, Lost in Austen, Death Comes To Pemberly, Anne Boleyn, The Black Prince, The Beast Within and many more shows to come. It is also the setting for the most recent Range Rover campaign, home to Emmerdale village, and even the royal estate in King Ralph, starring Leeds’ own Peter O’Toole. The estate also hosts events from art exhibitions, outdoor concerts, family friendly activities, nature walks, markets and it could be the backdrop to your wedding day!

📍 Plan your visit | Harewood, LS17 9LG
📸 Matt Simm & Harewood House Trust

With over 70,000 visitors last year, the Leeds Pride Festival’s 20th anniversary is set to be a fabulous weekend to remember. Save the date – 18th and 19th July!  Leeds’ LGBTQ+ community stretches back to the 1950s, with one of the longest running venues in the UK – The New Penny, then known as The Hope & Anchor. This was also the first place Lily Savage performed as a solo artist. The Leeds Pride parade has become a powerful statement of joy and unity to many, with two major stages also hosting live performances on the day, including previous acts Liberty X, Sonique, Gok Wan, and West Yorkshire star Divina De Campo.

📍 Plan your visit
📸 Leeds Pride

Technically one of the oldest museums in the world, with the collection being displayed to visitors since the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, it moved to its Leeds home and was opened by Queen Elizabeth II 30 years ago. From samurai swords, to modern police guns, pop culture weaponry, jousting displays and even an elephant’s armour are all in this museum. There is also the annual International Jousting Tournament on Easter weekend, visiting exhibitions and daily fight demonstrations!

📍 Plan your visit | Leeds Dock, LS10 1LT
📸 Royal Armouries