Wakefield Heritage Open Days 2024
September is one of my favourite months. After the mad rush of summer events, workshops and festivals, the schools are back, the weather is (usually) still good, and it’s time for Heritage Open Days. Every year thousands of volunteers and heritage professionals across the country come together to deliver a 10-day festival of free events and activities that enable people to explore hidden historic places and collections, hear new stories and try new experiences.
The festival runs from 6-15 September this year, and as I’m new to the area (having started as the council’s new Heritage Development Manager in June) I’m trying to pack in as many events as I can! It’s an exciting time for heritage in Wakefield. The council launched their new Heritage Framework in May (Heritage – Wakefield Council) and plans have started for a new heritage network to support local groups, share news and updates and promote opportunities for heritage across the District. There is plenty of great work happening, and lots of local people involved in celebrating local stories. The variety of Heritage Open Day events that are taking place across Wakefield District this year just shows the passion and commitment to heritage from so many different groups and organisations.
During the festival you can visit historic sites and buildings – or parts of historic sites and buildings – that aren’t usually open to the public, with expert tour guides to tell you about the hidden stories within. You can chat to the district’s bell ringers about their historic craft or climb the tallest spire in Yorkshire at Wakefield Cathedral. From medieval hospitals to masonic lodges, castles to coal mines, there’s something for everyone, with spooky tours through church crypts and castle dungeons, to family events in museums and parks, art exhibitions, public art and concerts.
Medieval herb beds at Pontefract Castle (photograph T Roberts)
Wakefield Cathedral
Take the catapult challenge at Pontefract Castle (suitable for children 7 and above) or visit the new Liquorice Fields installation and marvel at the giant pinhole camera in Friarwood Valley Park aviary. Go behind the scenes at the West Yorkshire History Centre and see some of Wakefield’s amazing historic documents, explore 200 years of historic maps with the Wakefield Historical Society, or visit the World’s first ever nature reserve with the Friends of Waterton’s Wall. For a more musical experience, take a back-stage tour of the Theatre Royal Wakefield (celebrating their 130th anniversary this year) or join Featherstone Male Voice Choir, Pontefract Choral Society and a number of other local choirs for a free ‘celebration of singing’ concert in Pontefract Town Hall.
Vintage mining machinery at work at the National Coal Mining Museum England (photo courtesy NCMME)
Rosse Observatory in Carlton
You can go underground and see vintage mining machinery at work at the National Coal Mining Museum for England (Caphouse Colliery) and immerse yourself into the personal world of Lady Sabine Winn, an eighteenth-century female apothecary and expert in herbal remedies at Nostell. Find out how to create your own medieval herb bed at Pontefract Castle or go stargazing with the West Yorkshire Astronomical Society at the wonderful Rosse Observatory in Carlton (opened in September 1983 by Sir Patrick Moore).
Mental Health Museum
Holgate Hospital (photo courtesy Holgate Hospital Trust)
As well as the great museums and castles run by Wakefield Council, which are open year-round and are hosting special events for Heritage Open Days, there are a number of fascinating private museums across the District that will be open during the festival (check listings for opening times). These include the Mental Health Museum at Fieldhead, the Gissing Centre in Wakefield city centre and the Archbishop Holgate Hospital Museum in Hemsworth.
The Mental Health Museum (run by the NHS) tells the story of mental health care through the ages. Help to build a future people’s history of mental health by sharing your own stories. The Gissing Centre is tucked away in one of Wakefield’s beautiful medieval yards. The museum celebrates the life and work of George Gissing (1857-1903) – one of England’s greatest novelists – in the house where he grew up. The Holgate Hospital was founded by Archbishop Robert Holgate, who left money for the buildings of almshouses to support the needy of Hemsworth, Felkirk, South Kirby and Wragby in 1555. The present building dates from 1859 and is the third hospital to have existed on the site. All these museums have limited opening hours, so Heritage Open Days is a great opportunity to visit them.
There is a programme of guided history tours and talks by the Wakefield and Pontefract Civic Societies and others covering a range of subjects including the history of our city parks and best loved streets, industrial history, the architecture of Wakefield, the story of liquorice, and the history of the Quaker community in Pontefract. There are art walks and exhibitions including Pontefract in Pictures at Pontefract Library, a new exhibition at Pomfret Gallery, and much more. More events will be announced in the run up to the festival, so please keep an eye on what’s happening using the links below.
So hopefully we’ll see you somewhere around Wakefield during the festival. We’d love you to explore our beautiful District and find out more about its people and its stories. Whilst you’re here, why not stop at one of our fantastic local cafes as well? (Did I mention we have an amazing food heritage in Wakefield District too…?).
A huge thanks to all the people who are putting so much time and effort into sharing and celebrating our heritage. Personally, I can’t wait to see of much of it as I can! Make sure to check event details for timings and access information and to book in advance if needed. More information on the Heritage Open Days website and Experience Wakefield.