Living in the UK, the weather is never guaranteed and as we approach the end of summer, the sunshine is even less likely. But fear not, Wakefield has got lots of places for you to have fun, whatever the weather and whatever your age! We’ve wrapped up some of the best attractions to visit and things to do in the Wakefield district on a rainy day.
Attractions:
Name: The National Coal Mining Museum
Where: Overton
Description: Explore Caphouse Colliery, a mine which experienced more than 200 years of coal production. Its charismatic guides are former miners, who will help you to understand more about the people and communities at the heart of the industry. You can even take an underground tour into the dark depths of a once working mine where you can find out more about the important role that coal mining played in our country’s past.
Cost: Free.
Link: https://www.ncm.org.uk/
Name: Xscape Yorkshire
Where: Castleford
Description: Xscape Yorkshire is the ultimate, fun-fuelled day out destination. Indoor activities include skiing, snowboarding and sledging on real snow at Snozone, wall-to-wall trampolining and urban climbing at Gravity, LaserZone laser tag, Volcano Falls adventure golf, Tenpin bowling and 4DX at Cineworld.
Cost: Variable.
Link: https://xscapeyorkshire.co.uk/
Name: Barbara Hepworth: Art and Life at The Hepworth Wakefield
Where: Wakefield
Description: To mark The Hepworth Wakefield’s 10th anniversary, the gallery has organised the largest exhibition of Barbara Hepworth’s work since her death in 1975, including private works that have not been on display since the 1970s. The exhibition will present an in-depth view of the acclaimed sculptor’s life, interests, work and legacy.
Cost: £10-£12, free for Hepworth members, Wakefield residents and under 16s.
Link: https://experiencewakefield.co.uk/event/barbara-hepworth-art-life/
Name: Neon Workshops
Where: Wakefield
Description: Wakefield’s Neon Workshops give you the opportunity to design your own neon art piece. Whether you fancy a two-hour taster session or a full one-day immersive experience, you’ll be able to learn more about neon art, how it’s made, and create your own take-home masterpiece.
Cost: Two-hour taster sessions start at £75.
Link: https://www.neonworkshops.com/
Name: Theatre Royal Wakefield
Where: Wakefield
Description: Situated at the heart of the city’s nightlife on the crossroads of Drury Lane and Westgate, the Theatre Royal Wakefield is the primary venue for live performances. With Sunny Side Up! staged in September (9th September 2021 – 18th September 2021), and Beauty and the Beast coming later this autumn (18th November 2021 – 3rd January 2022), there’s plenty of choice for all ages.
Cost: Variable.
Link: https://www.theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk/
Name: Pontefract Museum
Where: Pontefract
Description: Visit Pontefract Museum to learn all about the town’s rich history, from liquorice to glass making. Museum highlights include The Pontefract Gallery which boasts the world’s first secret ballot box and The Ackworth Hoard exhibition, comprising 52 gold coins, 539 silver coins and a gold ring, all of which date back to the Civil War.
Cost: Free.
Link: https://experiencewakefield.co.uk/venue/pontefract-museum/
Festival of the Earth
Name: Festival of the Earth
Where: Venues across the Wakefield district, including Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield Cathedral and Wakefield Theatre Royal
Dates: July – October 2021
Description: The Festival of the Earth is an exciting collection of events, activities and workshops, including breath taking art installations and live theatre performance, taking place across the Wakefield district. The festival will encourage visitors to make positive environmental changes to their daily lives, tackle climate change, and have fun all at the same time.
Cost: Variable
Link: https://experiencewakefield.co.uk/guide/festivaloftheearth/
Key events part of the Festival of the Earth:
Name: A World of Good
Where: Wakefield Museum
Dates: Now – Saturday 9th July 2022
Description: A World of Good is a new exhibition based around the work of pioneering 19th century environmentalist Charles Waterton, who built the world’s first nature reserve. It’s a multimedia experience of sculpture and sound where visitors can explore and interact with issues that Waterton dealt with (which are all too familiar to us in 2021) including pollution, hunting, deforestation, changing weather patterns and more.
Cost: Free
Link: https://experiencewakefield.co.uk/event/a-world-of-good/
