Rhubarb Festival

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Rhubarb Festival

17-23 February 2020

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Rhubarb Festival - Wakefield
Image courtesy of Rhubarb Festival - Wakefield.
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The city of Wakefield is in the heart of Yorkshire’s Rhubarb Triangle, a nine-square-mile area of the country between Wakefield, Rothwell and Morley that’s been in the business of growing rhubarb for hundreds of years. This incredible agricultural tradition is what Wakefield’s Rhubarb Festival commemorates, a week-long celebration of the cultural heritage that surrounds this unusual vegetable (often used for desserts, rhubarb is nonetheless a vegetable). A strange subject for a festival, you might argue – but Yorkshire forced rhubarb is nothing if not a prestigious foodstuff, having been awarded Protected Designation of Origin status in 2010, joining the likes of Champagne and Parma ham. Heady culinary company, indeed, and justification, if any was needed, for one of the highlights of Wakefield’s festival calendar.

Previous iterations of the Rhubarb Festival have seen an exhibition by acclaimed photographer Martin Parr displayed in Wakefield’s former market hall, and the recreation of an actual forced rhubarb shed. Complete with 200 shoots of real rhubarb growing under candlelight, this was a special introduction to the smells and distinctive crackle that forced rhubarb makes as it grows. Lantern walks, storytelling, tractor rides, folk music performances and morris dancers have also featured, as well as food demonstrations in keeping with the theme of the festival and comedy at the temporary ‘Rhu-bar’.

As you might expect for a food-themed event, visitors haven’t been left hungry: not only has a food and drink market been a central feature, with artisan breads, preserves, cheeses, cakes, wines and more for sale, it’s also been accompanied by a street food and vegan market selling delicious offerings to hungry punters. If you’re visiting Wakefield to attend this special festival, our top picks for places to stay include the fully-furnished, serviced apartments at Courtyard Mews, Luxury Suites and Studios by BOOTique  and, a little further out of the city centre, Holmfield Arms, which is surrounded by beautiful parkland.

Where to go near Rhubarb Festival

Morning Glory - Coffee Cup
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Morning Glory

Morning Glory positions itself as a grab-and-go spot, with just 12 seats inside serving coffee, bagels and sweet treats.

The Warehouse In Holbeck
Leeds
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The Warehouse In Holbeck

Run by acclaimed theatre company Slung Low, The Warehouse in Holbeck is home to boundary-pushing performance and community projects.

Leeds
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The Attic

Tucked away above the bustle of Merrion Street, The Attic is one of Leeds’ most distinctive small venues – intimate, unpretentious, and steeped in DIY spirit.

The Chevin is a great place for visitors to do lots of different activities and is open all year round with 5 free car parks. To help you find out whatís best for you we have divided this section up into some of these different activities.Please be aware that The Chevin is a working estate so you may see vehicles including timber-extraction lorries using some of the tracks.Self-guided WalksThe Chevin is a big place and there is a good network of paths to make your own circular walk, but if you want to follow a themed trail there is a Geology Trail, Heritage Time Trail and a route for Tree Spotters.Bikes & HorsesThere is an extensive bridleway network on the eastern parts of The Chevin that caters for a range of abilities.Orienteering and GeocachingTwo orienteering courses and a number of geocache sites are waiting to be discovered.Climbing & BoulderingThere are many fantastic crags for climbing and boulders for bouldering.Mobility Scooters & Wheelchairs
Leeds
Restaurant
Oporto

For many years, Oporto has been a beacon of alternative energy on Leeds’ Call Lane – serving up great food and drink alongside resident DJs and live music.

Manchester
Gallery
Black Redstart Gallery

Black Redstart Gallery is located in the Northern Quarter and runs a busy programme of exhibitions from emerging and established artists.

RJC Dance Xmas Show
Leeds
RJC Dance

RJC Dance, based in Chapeltown, Leeds, champions youth and education, leading inclusive Black dance in the North through national partnerships.

Manchester
Gallery
texture mcr

Possibly one of the city’s most mysterious art galleries, texture is a small and perfectly-formed independent space in Ardwick.

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