About
Since medieval times, Wakefield has held a reputation for being ‘the Merrie City’. Although the precise origins of the label are long lost, it’s perhaps not difficult to imagine why the name might have been coined. As a busy market town and known for its markets in livestock, textiles and grain, and administrative ‘capital’ of the West Riding, Wakefield was a place to which traders came in considerable number.
With increasing industrialisation and the coming of the canals, the local population also grew. All these people provided a ready market for local inns and public houses.
This trail and map show just some of the pubs and inns you would have encountered on a walk along Northgate from today’s Cathedral to the junction with Wentworth Terrace and Howard Street.
Find out more about the historic pubs of Northgate on the Wakefield Civic Society website.
Download the full PDF map leaflet.
Published by Wakefield Civic Society.
Text: Kevin Trickett, based on research by Phil and Kev Grundy.