Experience Wakefield
Known as the UK’s city of sculpture, Wakefield offers a wealth of experiences.
Wakefield – city and district – sits at the heart of West Yorkshire. It’s well connected, close to major motorways and London is just two hours away by train. This vibrant, down-to-earth destination is known for its grassroots creativity and independent spirit.
The birthplace of two of the most significant sculptors of the 20th century, Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore, Wakefield is the only city outside London to have two Art Fund Museums of the Year: The Hepworth Wakefield and Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
Explore world-class galleries and striking public art. Sample quirky food festivals that celebrate local flavours and homegrown heroes. Wander through joyful light installations and the dark depths of former mine-shafts. Relax in green country parks or soak up the energy of a thriving cathedral city.
Wakefield is a place where urban meets rural, past meets future, and industry meets art. Come and discover it for yourself.
To explore what’s on and where to go, visit experiencewakefield.co.uk
Creativity thrives here
Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Approx. 20 minutes drive from The Hepworth Wakefield, Yorkshire Sculpture Park is the largest sculpture park in Europe and a leading international centre for modern and contemporary sculpture.
Image: Barbara Hepworth, The Family of Man, 1970 © Bowness. Photo: David Lindsay
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The Art House
A 15 minute walk from The Hepworth Wakefield, The Art House is home to an exhibition space, shop and coffee house as well as regular crab fairs across the year.
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History and heritage
Located opposite The Hepworth Wakefield, one of the country’s last surviving bridge chapels, The Chantry Chapel of St Mary, sits on medieval foundations on Wakefield Bridge. It is one of only three surviving Chantry Chapels left in England today and, including the bridge, is a scheduled ancient monument and a Grade I listed building.
Show-stopping festivals throughout the year
Light Up Wakefield 2025
Start the festive season in style as Light Up returns across the Wakefield district from Friday 21 November 2025.
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Rhubarb Festival 2026
Wakefield’s celebration of its most famous vegetable will return to paint the city pink from Friday 20 to 22 February 2026.
Image: Martin Parr, Rhubarb Triangle. Wakefield, 2015. Commissioned by The Hepworth Wakefield. Copyright Martin Parr. Courtesy the artist
Read MorePublic art makes a statement
The Wakefield Sculpture Trail is a series of sculptures across the city centre, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to experience and enjoy world-class art. Each artist – including Halima Cassell and Jason Wilsher-Mills – has created a work especially for the place, its history and communities.
Plan your Sculpture Trail here
