Besides great sights, an interesting history and many exciting destinations, Wakefield has a lot more to offer. Here you will find many helpful tips to enjoy your vacation in Wakefield.
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Sights in Wakefield
Wakefield is a beautiful, historic city located in the West Yorkshire region of England. The city is home to a number of sights and attractions that are sure to interest visitors. Among the most notable are Wakefield Cathedral, a Grade I listed building that dates back to the 13th century, and Wakefield Bridge, the oldest bridge in England still in use. Other notable landmarks include the Grade II listed Queen Anne House, and the awardwinning Hepworth Wakefield gallery.
For those interested in history, Wakefield offers a wealth of opportunity. The city was an important site during the Battle of Wakefield in the Wars of the Roses, and the ruins of Sandal Castle, where the battle took place, are just a short drive away. Also of interest are the Wakefield Great Walk, a heritage trail which takes in many of the city’s historic sights, and the National Coal Mining Museum, which offers visitors the chance to descend into one of England’s oldest working mines.
Whether you’re looking to explore history, take in some art, or just enjoy a pleasant day out, Wakefield has something to offer.
History of Wakefield
Wakefield is a city in West Yorkshire, England, on the River Calder and the eastern edge of the Pennines. The Wakefield metropolitan district includes the five adjacent local authority districts of Wakefield, Castleford, Normanton, Pontefract and Featherstone. The name Wakefield derives from “Waca’s field” – the common pasture beside the River Calder on which the town’s early settlers first built their homes.
The Domesday Book of 1086 describes Wakefield as two distinct manors – Wakefield and Sandal Magna. By 1274, Wakefield had become a market town with a Furthermore, the Wakefield worthiest merchants were also appointed as Aldermen. In the 14th century, the monks of Wakefield Abbey needed to raise funds and decided to lease a section of their extensive landholdings in Wakefield. This created the market place that still exists today and Wakefield held its first market in October 1388.
At the time of the Black Death in 1349, it is estimated that 50% of the population of Wakefield perished. Wakefield soon recovered, and by the 16th century Wakefield’s economy was based on the woollen trade. Its fooA market cross in Wakefield was first recorded in 1520. By the 1560s, frequented by clothiers from all over England, it was one of the largest and busiest markets in the North of England. In the late 17th century Sir Christopher Wren, the renowned architect, was commissioned to design a new Wakefield Cathedral.
In 1759, Wakefield’s cloth trade was boosted by the construction of the Aire and Calder Navigation which made transportation of bulky cloth much easier. In the late 18th century, Wakefield started to manufactures textile machinery. This fuelled the industrial Revolution in Wakefield and by the end of the 19th century, Wakefield was an important industrial town. With the growth of industry, the population of Wakefield increased rapidly and in 1801 it was around 8,500. In 1832, Wakefield was given parliamentary borough status and in 1848, it was given city status.
The city grew rapidly in the first half of the 20th century as coal mining, iron foundries and engineering became major industries in the area. However, by the 1970s, these industries had all declined and Wakefield’s economy was in decline. Since the 1980s, however, there has been a revival in the economy of Wakefield and today the city is a thriving service sector economy.
Vacation in Wakefield
Wakefield is a beautiful city located in Yorkshire, England. It is situated on the River Calder and Wakefield Cathedral is a mustsee. The city has many Saxon and Norman elements as well as a number of medieval buildings. Visitors can enjoy strolling around Pugin’s Alhambra Palace, walking in the grounds of Wakefield Park or taking a boat trip on the River Calder. For those who enjoy the country life, there are plenty of options for days out including zoos, castles and safari parks.
Within the city, there are plenty of shops, restaurants and cafes to keep everyone entertained. Pugin’s Alhambra Palace is a great shopping destination with a variety of high street and independent stores. For dinner, why not try one of the many excellent Indian restaurants? Afterwards, enjoy a drink in one of the many atmospheric pubs or bars.
If you’re looking for something a bit different, Wakefield is also home to the National Coal Mining Museum which offers underground tours of a real coal mine. Or, for a fun day out with the kids, head to Tropical Butterfly House, Wildlife & Falconry Centre where you can meet meerkats, otters, reptiles and birds of prey.
Whether you’re looking for a city break or a country escape, Wakefield has something for everyone.
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