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It was the opening of The Hepworth in 2011 that announced Wakefield city centre’s status as a standalone cultural destination. Prior to the arrival of the £35m art museum, which went on to win the Art Fund Museum of the Year award in 2017, it was the attractions satellite to Wakefield that were the draw, with the city centre often overlooked by visitors. Today, Wakefield remains a great jumping off point for the ancient ruins of Pontefract Castle and the extraordinary grand house and parklands at Nostell Priory, but the city centre is also recognised as a serious contender in its own right: here, you’ll find The Art House, a large artist studio complex and National Portfolio Organisation, Theatre Royal Wakefield, which has the smallest surviving auditorium designed by legendary architect Frank Matcham, and Wakefield Cathedral, a Grade I listed building whose origins date back to the Doomsday Book of 1086.
Wakefield, the birthplace of Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore, is now a part of the prestigious Yorkshire Sculpture Triangle, which includes The Hepworth, Leeds Art Gallery, the Henry Moore Institute and Yorkshire Sculpture Park, an incredible cultural attraction with a new £3.6m visitor centre. Together these venues also host the Yorkshire Sculpture International, an annual festival taking place across Wakefield and Leeds. Wakefield’s hidden gems are also increasingly on the radar, with visitors discovering the fascinating history of Chantry Chapel St Mary the Virgin and the unique collection at the Mental Health Museum. There’s more still to uncover, such as the unassuming childhood home of overlooked Victorian author George Gissing, who said: ‘There is no such thing as bad weather; every sky has its beauty.’
So does every city. Here, the medieval layout of Wakefield survives recognisably, along with the buildings that were built using a fortune founded on textiles. The ancient fabric of this mercantile town now has cultural institutions and festivals to merit it – discover these and more in our must-see guide to Wakefield.
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.
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.
Alison Milner: Decorative Minimalist at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Decorative Minimalist by Alison Milner features a large-scale, illustrated tile mural captures the everyday life and soul of YSP.
Damien Hirst at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Experience YBA artist Damien Hirst’s towering and provocative outdoor sculptures at Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
West Yorkshire Visitor Guides
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.
Walks in Huddersfield
Surrounded by the Yorkshire countryside, Huddersfield is steeped in history and holds its own when it comes to arts and culture. Our Walks in Huddersfield Guide takes in many of the sites plus some glorious green spaces and parks.
West Yorkshire District Guides
Walks in Halifax
A round-up of the best walks in Halifax – including the cultural sites, parks and surrounding countryside by Creative Tourist.
Walks in Huddersfield
Surrounded by the Yorkshire countryside, Huddersfield is steeped in history and holds its own when it comes to arts and culture. Our Walks in Huddersfield Guide takes in many of the sites plus some glorious green spaces and parks.
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.
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.
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 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 right now
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