Wakefield

View a map of featured destinations in the Wakefield Area

Exciting times are ahead for the City of Wakefield, located in the heart of West Yorkshire.

This historical little city, famous for rugby, rhubarb and the tallest cathedral spire in Yorkshire, is transforming into a modern centre for the arts and a unique cultural and shopping destination.

Wakefield already offers a wonderful mix of heritage, history and culture. The city is easy to explore on foot, with Wakefield Art Gallery and Museum, Wakefield Cathedral and Wakefield Theatre, all within a short walking distance from the main shopping area, train and bus stations. 

During spring and summer, take time out and enjoy the floral displays of Wakefield in Bloom, or bring your lunch and take a seat in Crown Court Yard, a newly refurbished public square tucked behind Wakefield Museum.

If you want to travel a little further, the Free City Bus can take you to pleasant green space at Clarence Park or to the larger stores, cinema and restaurants on the Cathedral Retail Park.

Visitors can also easily reach “The Magnificent Seven”, the districts top attractions, from Wakefield. These include the National Coal Mining Museum for England, Pugneys Country Park, Diggerland Theme Park, Xscape Leisure Complex, Junction 32 Shopping Outlet, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and National Trust’s Nostell Priory.

As for the exciting changes taking place in the city, the best is yet to come!

A major new development at Wakefield’s waterfront will feature a mix of residential, retail and restaurant space and will include a new gallery, The Hepworth, Wakefield, which is due to open early 2010.

The Hepworth will celebrate the city’s connection to Wakefield born sculptor, Barbara Hepworth and Castleford’s Henry Moore. The gallery will feature work from both artists alongside Wakefield’s impressive contemporary art collection, much of which has never been on display.

More changes are ahead as The Ridings Shopping Centre, already home to big name brands, expands to offer even more choice for the shopper.  The centre will remain open during the major facelift taking place in 2008 and its business as usual for all the stores who are happy to welcome visitors to the area.

The Ridings isn’t the only new treat in store for shoppers. Wakefield’s bold new £3m Market Hall opens in the summer of 2008. The architect designed hall includes room for over 100 traders in the indoor and outdoor market alongside the new mouth-watering food hall selling the best of Yorkshire produce.

Don’t worry if you can’t wait until 2010 to visit as there are plenty of unique stores in the city that offer a personal friendly service with a range of gifts, designer clothing and of course, bags and shoes to suit the serious boutique shopper.

As well as attractions, heritage and shopping, visitors can enjoy a range of events and exhibitions all year round from the Festival of Food Drink and Rhubarb each spring, to the Festival of Fire and Light in the winter.

Featured Destinations in the Wakefield Area
Click on a blue marker to find out more about the area.

Related links:

http://www.experiencewakefield.co.uk/