Wakefield
Wakefield Features:–
About a forty minute drive north up the M1 from Rotherham is the city of Wakefield. This was a place we visited regularly in the long ago but in those days we never accessed the tourist sites. Parking in the city centre in those days was plentiful, easy to access and very reasonable but I don't know if it is today. There is a new shopping centre which opened in May 2011 and there are still independent shops around the Bullring, Northgate, Cross Street and Cross Square. The Hepworth Gallery opened in 2011 also and is already surpassing expected visitor numbers.
Links
The City of Wakefield
All you need to know about Wakefield www.experiencewakefield.co.uk.
Festival of Food, Drink and Rhubarb
This takes place in Wakefield every February. The festival celebrates the traditional links with rhubarb-growing in Wakefield, while offering the finest and tastiest regional produce and showcasing the most talented local chefs. Details at Wakefield Council.
The Hepworth Wakefield
The Hepworth Wakefield is Yorkshire's inspiring new art gallery, celebrating the area's unique artistic legacy and exploring the work of major contemporary artists. The Hepworth Wakefield.
Kirklees Light Railway
'Yorkshire's Great Little Steam Trains'. Visit the website at kirkleeslightrailway.com.
The Ridings Shopping Centre
The Ridings Shopping Centre has over 100 quality stores, onsite car parking and a diverse range of cafes and eateries. Visit the website at www.ridingscentre.com.
Trinity Walk Shopping Centre
With over 60 new shops including all the leading high street fashion brands, a fabulous Debenhams department store and the largest Sainsbury's superstore in the area, it's a fantastic day out for everyone of all ages. Visit the website at www.trinitywalk.com.
Wakefield Cathedral
The cathedral church of All Saints is in the heart of the city. There was a church here in Saxon times which was extended many times during the Middle Ages. Various works have been ongoing since then with the parish church raised to be a cathedral in 1888. A large lottery grant has been awarded for development and conservation www.wakefieldcathedral.org.uk.
Wakefield Chapel
The chantry chapel of St Mary the Virgin is the last of the four chantry chapels that once existed in Wakefield. Along with the Chapel on the Bridge in Rotherham it is one of only four remaining in Britain today. www.wakefieldfhs.org.uk/chantry_chapel/
Yorkshire Mining Museum
Caphouse Colliery, near Wakefield. Free admission. Visit the website http://www.ncm.org.uk for more information.