Wakefield's Top Attractions... In Their Own Words!

This could, of course, only refer to National Trust Nostell! This 18th century Palladian mansion is one of the grandest houses in the north of England, surrounded by 300 acres of spectacular parkland and gardens, and host to events throughout the year.

Created by the Winn family in the 1700s, generations added to the richness of the house, including Robert Adam interiors, priceless paintings, antique curiosities and (as stated in the video) a collection of Thomas Chippendale furniture that is still situated in the location for which it was made.

📸 ©National Trust Images/John Millar

Who could this be but The Art House! The “house that art built” is a place where artists and audiences of all kinds are welcome to engage with the creative process through a year-round programme of exhibitions and events.

The Art House manages more than 50 accessible artists studios, and works with people from all sorts of backgrounds. They host a wide range of artists, makers, and creative businesses, who share the building with exhibition spaces, a shop, a coffee house, and more!

📸 © David Lindsay, courtesy of The Art House

This proud title belongs to none other than Pontefract Castle! From its construction in 1070 to its demise following the Civil Wars, the once-fearsome fortress dominated Yorkshire and beyond – which is how it earned its nickname.

Located in the historic market town of Pontefract, the castle today is a place of family-friendly adventure, with wide open spaces to explore and play, and fascinating ruins to investigate. Those who are brave enough can descend into the dungeons and see where prisoners carved their names into the rock.

It opened less than a month ago (at time of writing!), at Rhubarb Festival, so amongst all these attractions, WX- Wakefield Exchange is just a baby!
But don’t let its youth fool you: the building’s former life as the city’s market hall gives it great DNA, and with plenty going on, Wakefield’s latest event space has an impressive future ahead of it.

Whether you’re stopping by for a quick coffee and cake, enjoying street food and beer with friends (did you know WX has its own on-site brewery?), or immersing yourself in live music and events, WX has something for everyone.

There’s only one attraction that ticks all these boxes: glorious Theatre Royal Wakefield! Opened in 1894, the theatrical masterpiece was designed by celebrated Victorian architect Frank Matcham (who also designed Blackpool’s famous Tower Ballroom), and is the smallest of Matcham’s many theatres.

There’s something to excite and delight everyone at Theatre Royal Wakefield, with shows for families, fans of music, drama, comedy and more. So whenever you go to Theatre Royal Wakefield, you really are promised “A Great Night Out”!

The clue’s in the name with this one – it’s the one and only Yorkshire Sculpture Park! YSP (as it’s known to its friends) is an international sculpture park set in a picturesque landscape that takes in a truly stunning selection of historic parkland, woods and lakes.

But its superb outdoor scenery is secondary to its artworks. YSP’s diverse artistic programme spans sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, craft and more. And in case you’re worried about the Great British Weather, YSP has four spectacular indoor galleries, too!

📸 Robert Indiana, LOVE (Red Blue Green), 1966–1998. Artwork © 2022 Morgan Art Foundation Ltd. Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York-DACS, London, Courtesy YSP

The history of coal mining is integral to the Wakefield district, and who better to tell that story than the National Coal Mining Museum, the site of two former working coal mines!

Journey 140m underground on an Underground Tour, enter the immersive Time Tunnel, Meet the ponies in the Discovery Centre, take a trip around the Nature Trail, let off steam in the adventure playground, and explore history in the galleries. On top of all this, the museum is home to some amazing events through the year!

📸 ©JMA Photography

A gallery with a whole clutch of awards under its belt, sitting pretty on the city’s waterfront? It’s gotta be The Hepworth Wakefield! Overlooking the River Calder, the impressive building was designed by the acclaimed David Chipperfield Architects.

Named after 20th century artist Barbara Hepworth, the gallery presents major exhibitions of the best international modern and contemporary art and has dedicated galleries exploring Hepworth’s art and processes. It’s also home to Wakefield’s art collection, an impressive compendium of modern British art.

📸 ©JMA Photography

A historic gem is located in the heart of the city, watching over Wakefieldians for almost a millennium, it’s beautiful Wakefield Cathedral! And yes, you read that right – stretching up some 247ft (even higher than York Minster) the tallest spire in Yorkshire dominates our city’s skyline.

As impressive as it is on the outside, Wakefield Cathedral also reveals an awe-inspiring interior filled with historic artefacts, including the world’s most complete collection of stained glass by the renowned designer Charles Kempe. The ancient cathedral is still central to life in the city today, with services sitting alongside fantastic events and exhibitions of all stripes.