Wakefield Cathedral

Polly Checkland Harding

Visit now

Wakefield Cathedral

Northgate, Wakefield, WF1 1HG
01924 373923
  • Monday9:00am - 4:45pm
  • Tuesday9:00am - 4:45pm
  • Wednesday9:00am - 4:45pm
  • Thursday9:00am - 4:45pm
  • Friday9:00am - 4:45pm
  • Saturday9:00am - 3:45pm
  • Sunday8:30am - 4:15pm

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

Book now

The Grade I listed Wakefield Cathedral has a majestic historical fabric spanning over 800 years; a church in Wakefield is mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086. Still a working church today, the cathedral is situated at the heart of the city centre: evidence of its Saxon predecessor was uncovered in 1900 when excavations were made to the east end of the building. The structure went through several major iterations, including a Normal construction built after William II gave the land in Wakefield to the Lewes Priory in Sussex, and owes its current late medieval appearance to the Victorian restoration that took place between 1858 to 1874. It became a cathedral in 1888.

The wall of Wakefield Cathedral’s north aisle is the oldest part, dating back to around 1150. In 2013, some of the cathedral’s buried history was uncovered in archeological digs that took place during a multi-million pound restoration project, including lead coffins, an old prayer book and ancient stone graves. Sadly, none of the original medieval stained glass survives – the replacements, however, are by notable Victorian designer Charles Eamer Kempe, who created 23 windows for the cathedral, the designs spanning his working life until his death in 1907. The choir stall carvings include mythical beasts and a ‘green man’, with some of the interior furniture made by Robert Thompson – a renowned furniture maker whose work often featured his signature carved mice, and who was also responsible for over 100 pew carvings at Hull Minster.

The cathedral’s spire makes it the tallest church in Yorkshire, with tower tours run two to three times a year; these are advertised online, with pre-booking essential. Wakefield Cathedral is also a place of musical excellence with an internationally-renowned choir, Compton organ and 14 cathedral bells – the heaviest of which weighs nearly 1,800kg and was cast in 1947. The cathedral was the first church in England to have 14, with Canterbury Cathedral and York Minster subsequently following suit. The website notes that visiting ringers are welcome. You’ll also find a Cathedral Kitchen on site, a not-for-profit venture serving up home-cooked food and cakes made using locally sourced, seasonal produce where possible.

What's on near Wakefield Cathedral

FLIGHT at Aviva Studios
TheatreCity Centre
FLIGHT at Aviva Studios

Happening in absolute darkness inside a 40ft shipping container, FLIGHT invites you to board a commercial airliner – and take two possible journeys.

From £10.00
SÉANCE at HOME
TheatreManchester
SÉANCE at HOME

Happening at HOME, SÉANCE transforms the interior of a shipping container into a Victorian séance room.

From £13.00

Where to go near Wakefield Cathedral

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.

texture logo
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.

The Beacon at Cliffe Castle Park
Bradford
Park
Cliffe Castle Park

Cliffe Castle Park hosts the Beacon, a stunning performance space that will be touring the district throughout Bradford UK City of Culture 2025.

Hern Food
Leeds
Restaurant
Hern

This produce-driven bistro in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, prides itself on cooking with the only finest ingredients and his headed up by Cordon Bleu-trained chef Rab Adams.

Indie Makers
Leeds
Shop
Indie Makers

Indie Makers, located in Leads’ corn exchange, trades in art and gifts from independent makers across the UK.

Plant Point
Leeds
Shop
Plant Point

Plant Point is designed to help you bring the jungle into your urban or suburban space. The home of beautiful plants in Leeds.

Leeds
Restaurant
Eat Your Greens

Eat Your Greens is a vibrant, organic restaurant bringing a hint of European flair to the city’s plant-based dining scene.

Sela opened in 2004 with an idea to provide quality imported beers from around the world, fun cocktails to compliment the beer selections and a stage for the region’s finest and most talented musicians to play on.Over ten years later, we’re still all about the beer, cocktails, live music and pizza!We carry over a selection of over thirty different beers spanning the globe from Pickering with The Great Yorkshire Brewery’s Yorkshire Blackout, to New York with a selection from Brooklyn Brewery, and Belgium with longtime Sela favourite, Vedett.Our cocktails change regularly too. Our best-sellers are joined by fun, new offerings and our pizza menu is regarded as one of the best the city of Leeds has to offer.As for the live music, Sela has had not only the great and the good from the region. Local funksters, The New Mastersounds are regular visitors and we stage the amazing Mojah Reggae Band for their weekly Wednesday residency.  Our other long running programming incl
Leeds
Restaurant
Sela Bar & Pizzeria

Sela Bar is a cosy Leeds basement spot with live music, great drinks, and a cool, laid-back, atmospheric vibe.

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester
Theatre in the North

Summer signals theatre festivals, world premieres and open-air spectacle - from MIF25 to comedy, outdoor circus and beyond, here’s what we’re looking forward to.

Star Nhà Ease
Cinema in the North

July's cinema highlights include spotlights on international cinema, a new cult classic, plus a visit from one of our favourite directors.

Blondshell by Hannah Bon.
Music in the North

From Lyra Pramuk’s sacred synths to the sugar rush of YAANG, our latest music picks bring ritual, rebellion and ridiculous levels of fun.

Exhibitions in the North

Monumental sculptures, charcoal confessions and a show of two paintings only - all this and more in this month's exhibition picks.