Culture Guides
Destination Guides
Seasonal Guides
West Yorkshire is a northern county particularly packed with cultural attractions, from the award-winning market town of Hebden Bridge on its western edge, to the incredible Yorkshire Sculpture Triangle in the east of the area. There’s so much going on in West Yorkshire, in fact, that we’ve dedicated two separate guides to Bradford in the north – including Ilkley and Saltaire – and to the wonderful city of Leeds. Here, though, we explore the siren call of Hebden Bridge, Halifax, Huddersfield and Wakefield, all of which call this great county their home.
Discover the thriving cultural scene in Hebden Bridge, driven by a tight-knit community and spanning the legendary Trades Club, Picture House, bustling market and annual arts festival. Explore Halifax, the former heart of the English wool trade, where the oldest remaining cloth hall in Europe has been transformed into a hub for heritage, shopping and culinary delights – or Shibden Hall, filming location for BBC One series Gentleman Jack. Or perhaps Huddersfield takes your fancy: why not, when the town is home to the UK’s largest international festival of contemporary music, an award-winning literature festival and the UK’s first eco spa. For more of the best things to do in West Yorkshire, including Wakefield‘s £35m art museum The Hepworth, and the outstanding locations in the surrounding area, read on.
Yorkshire Sculpture International 2021
The second edition of Yorkshire Sculpture International – the UK’s largest dedicated sculpture festival – opens this summer.
Barbara Hepworth: Art & Life at The Hepworth Wakefield
The Hepworth Wakefield celebrates its 10th birthday with the largest exhibition of Barbara Hepworth’s work since the artist’s death in 1975.
Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival 2021
Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival features 10 days of groundbreaking contemporary music, performances, talks and workshops from an international community of creative thinkers.
Joana Vasconcelos at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Yorkshire Sculpture Park presents the monumental work of celebrated Portuguese sculptor Joana Vasconcelos.
Jadé Fadojutimi at The Hepworth Wakefield
The Hepworth Wakefield will present an exhibition of new work by British artist Jadé Fadojutimi.
Sheila Hicks: Off Grid at The Hepworth Wakefield
Drawing together over 70 pieces from international public and private collections, this major exhibition will explore the many facets of Hicks’ ground-breaking work – from her intimate Minimes, small woven drawings she creates on a hand-held frame, to large-scale installations that fill gallery spaces with vibrant colour.
Long Division Festival
Founded in 2011, Long Division Festival is an award-winning, metropolitan music festival that has played host to British Sea Power, The Fall and We Are Scientists.
Silence – Alone in a World of Wounds at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Stop and spend an hour or two with this special creation, nestled within a stand of birch trees beside Yorkshire Sculpture Park’s Upper Lake.
Damien Hirst at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Experience YBA artist Damien Hirst’s towering and provocative outdoor sculptures at Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
Rachel Kneebone: 399 Days at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Encounter artist Rachel Kneebone’s most ambitious sculpture to date, presented in the unique setting of YSP’s 18th century chapel.
Places to go / stay / shop / eat / drink
West Yorkshire Visitor Guides
Walks in Wakefield
A round-up of the best walks in Wakefield, including the town centre, official tours and the surrounding area by Creative Tourist.
Walks in Hebden Bridge
A round-up of the best walks in Hebden Bridge, including the town centre, official tours and the surrounding area by Creative Tourist.
Vintage Shops in the North
A curated selection of the most renowned vintage shops in the North of England, showcasing where to pick-up quirky, one-off collectables.
Attractions in West Yorkshire
Our guide to the best attractions in West Yorkshire, including Hebden Bridge, Halifax, Huddersfield and Wakefield.
Food and Drink in West Yorkshire
Our guide to the best food and drink in West Yorkshire, featuring restaurants and bars in Huddersfield, Halifax, Hebden Bridge and Wakefield.
Shopping in West Yorkshire
Our guide to the best shops in West Yorkshire, including independents and markets in Hebden Bridge, Huddersfield, Halifax and Wakefield.
West Yorkshire District Guides
Things to do in Hebden Bridge
A selection of curated spots showcasing the best local attractions, shops and tourism on offer in beautiful Hebden Bridge.
Things to do in Wakefield
As well as being a great starting point for exploring West Yorkshire, Wakefield city centre is a cultural hot spot in its own right. Discover the best places to visit in our guide.
Things to do in Huddersfield
Surrounded by the Yorkshire countryside, Huddersfield is steeped in history and more than holds its own when it comes to arts and culture.
Things to do in Halifax
A destination for foodies, music-lovers and culture-seekers, Halifax is also home to some of the best-preserved Georgian and Victorian buildings in the North.
Things to do right now
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