Wakefield

Wakefield is a City in the county of West Yorkshire.

Welcome to Wakefield! This charming town in the heart of Yorkshire is a wonderful place to visit, and there’s plenty to see and do here.

Start your visit by exploring the medieval ruins of Wakefield Castle. This imposing fortress was once the home of the Earl of Warwick, and today offers some wonderful views over the town and countryside.

Next, head to the Cathedral Quarter and take a stroll along the banks of the River Calder. Here you’ll find a variety of shops, restaurants and bars, as well as the impressive Wakefield Cathedral. This Gothic cathedral dates back to the 12th century and is well worth a visit.

If you’re looking for something active to do, why not take a walk or bike ride through Wakefield Park? This beautiful park is home to a variety of wildlife, as well as acres of open green space. It’s a great place to relax and get some fresh air.

Finally, don’t forget to check out the markets! Held every Saturday morning, these markets are a great place to find local produce, crafts and souvenirs.

Wakefield postcode: WF1 1

Retail in Wakefield

There are great places to visit near Wakefield including some great cities, villages, woodlands, parks, historic buildings, museums, gardens, country parks, hiking areas, towns, lakes, historic monuments, hills, ancient sites, nature reserves, shopping centres, airports, bluebell woods, ruins, rivers and streams, castles, waterfalls and boroughs.

Cities to visit near Wakefield include Bradford, Leeds, and Wakefield.

Don't miss Wyke, Haworth, Oxenhope, Thornton, Manningham, Saltaire, and Ripponden's villages if visiting the area around Wakefield.

Judy Woods, Chevin Forest Park, Middleton Park, and Hardcastle Crags are some of Wakefield best woodlands to visit near Wakefield.

The area around Wakefield boasts some of the best parks including Lister Park, Cartwright Hall Gardens, Peel Park, Shibden Park, Roundhay Park, Middleton Park, and Park Square.

Wakefield's best nearby historic buildings can be found at Cartwright Hall, Hewenden Viaduct, Halifax Town Hall, North Bridge - Halifax, Halifax Minister, Wainhouse Tower, and Shibden Park.

Cartwright Hall, and Yorkshire Sculpture Park are great places to visit near Wakefield if you like museums.

There are a several good gardens in the area around Wakefield like Cartwright Hall Gardens.

The area around Wakefield boasts some of the best country parks including Penistone Hill Country Park, Ogden Water Country Park, Shibden Country Park, Chevin Forest Park, Golden Acre Park, Bretton Country Park, and Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

There are a several good hiking areas in the Wakefield area like Penistone Hill Country Park, Colden, The Chevin, Hardcastle Crags, and Withens Clough.

Wakefield has some unmissable towns nearby like Ilkley, Sowerby Bridge, Halifax, Todmorden, Huddersfield, Bradley, and Otley.

Boothwood Reservoir, Ogden Water Country Park, Ogden Water, Shibden Park, Light Hazzles Reservoir, Warland Reservoir, and Gaddings Dam are great places to visit near Wakefield if you like lakes.

There are a number of historic monuments near Wakefield including Wainhouse Tower, and Centre Hill Beacon Site.

There are a number of hills near Wakefield including Centre Hill, Stoodley Pike, and The Chevin.

Ancient Sites to visit near Wakefield include Stones Lane Standing Stones, and Centre Hill Beacon Site.

Nature Reserves to visit near Wakefield include Rodley Nature Reserve, RSPB St Aidan's, and Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

The area around Wakefield boasts some of the best shopping centres including Trinity Leeds, White Rose Shopping Centre, The Merrion Centre, County Arcade, and Leeds Kirkgate Market.

The area around Wakefield's best airports can be found at Leeds Bradford Airport.

There are a number of bluebell woods near to Wakefield including Middleton Park.

Kirkstall Abbey, and Sandal Castle are great places to visit near Wakefield if you like ruins.

Don't miss River Dearne at Bretton, Hebden Water, and Hebden Beck's rivers and streams if visiting the area around Wakefield.

Sandal Castle is a great place to visit close to Wakefield if you like castles.

There are a several good waterfalls in the area around Wakefield like Greenwood Lee Clough Waterfall.

The area close to Wakefield boasts some of the best boroughs including Kirklees.

Wakefield History

There are some historic monuments around Wakefield:

Areas of Wakefield

Like most towns and cities Wakefield is comprised of a number of areas, once separate villages or small towns and parishes now part of Wakefield.

Many of the areas of Wakefield have their own character and places of interest.

Places to see near Wakefield

History of Wakefield

Before 1066 the manor of Wakefield belonged to Edward the Confessor and it passed to William the Conqueror after the Battle of Hastings. After the Conquest Wakefield was a victim of the Harrying of the North in 1069 when William the Conqueror took revenge on the local population for resistance to Norman rule. The settlement was recorded as Wachfeld in the Domesday Book of 1086, and covered a much greater area than present day Wakefield, much of which was described as “waste”. The manor was granted by the crown to William de Warenne, 1st Earl of Surrey whose descendants, the Earls Warenne, inherited it after his death in 1088. The construction of Sandal Castle began early in the 12th century. A second castle was built at Lawe Hill on the north side of the Calder but was abandoned. Wakefield and its environs formed the caput of an extensive baronial holding by the Warennes that extended to Cheshire and Lancashire. The Warennes, and their feudal sublords, held the area until the 14th century, when it passed to their heirs. Norman tenants holding land in the region included the Lyvet family at Lupset. The Domesday Book recorded two churches, one in Wakefield and one in Sandal Magna. The Saxon church in Wakefield was rebuilt in about 1100 in stone in the Norman style and was continually enlarged until 1315 when the central tower collapsed. By 1420 the church was again rebuilt and was extended between 1458 and 1475. In 1203 William de Warenne, 5th Earl of Surrey received a grant for a market in the town. In 1204 King John granted the rights for a fair at the feast of All Saints, 1 November, and in 1258 Henry III granted the right for fair on the feast of Saint John the Baptist, 24 June. The market was close to the Bull Ring and the church. The townsfolk of Wakefield amused themselves in games and sports, the chief sport in the 14th century was archery and the butts in Wakefield were at the Ings, near the river. Wakefield was dubbed the “Merrie City” in the Middle Ages

Wakefield History

Areas of Wakefield

Places to see near Wakefield

History of Wakefield

Lakes near Wakefield

Canals near Wakefield

Rivers near Wakefield

Things to do in Wakefield

Shopping in Wakefield

Services and Trades in Wakefield

Mist, Mines and Ruins