Since rebranding to Work Rest or Play in Summer 2025, we’ve started our expansion beyond the HD8 area, across West and South Yorkshire — connecting with and supporting even more local communities. To help you get to know the places we now celebrate, we will be shining a spotlight on the villages, towns and cities we now cover. Sharing useful insights, highlighting what makes every location unique.
First up is Wakefield …
Once dubbed the ‘Merrie City’, Wakefield has transformed from a bustling market town into a cultural powerhouse in Yorkshire.
One of England’s smallest cathedral cities, Wakefield offers a wide range of family-friendly attractions for food, art and industrial history.
Where To Eat In Wakefield
While Wakefield is historically famous for producing liquorice and rhubarb, it has emerged as a foodie hotspot for international cuisine.
From top-rated restaurants to casual, cosy independent cafes and pubs, Wakefield offers a high concentration of diverse eateries.
Local foodies frequent Market Gate for everything from trendy African vegan-fusion to good old-fashioned Yorkshire pies.
Northgate has also played host to the vibrant Wakefield Continental Street Market— a modern twist on the city’s medieval roots. With 2026 dates confirmed for Castleford and Pontefract, visitors can expect a delicious mix of local food, seasonal produce, and artisan stalls.
Family-friendly Attractions in Wakefield
Wakefield has retained glimpses of its medieval and industrial past for the enjoyment of locals and tourists alike.
Sandal Castle’s grand views across the city gives those with a strong imagination an idea of what York’s forces witnessed during The Battle of Wakefield (1460). This free attraction now plays host to peaceful family picnics; the Castle Café offering a relaxing atmosphere to soak up the view of Sandal Castle with a cuppa or cake.
Fast-forward in time, Wakefield’s National Coal Mining Museum preserves two hundred years of Yorkshire’s coal production. The museum shares the real stories of the men, women, children, animals, and machinery leading Great Britain’s industrial revolution.
As the ‘City of Sculpture’, Wakefield offers several spaces if art is more your speed.
The Hepworth Wakefield is an award-winning modern and contemporary art gallery located on the waterfront near Wakefield city centre.
Sculpture Park is the UK’s leading outdoor gallery, combining intriguing contemporary structures with beautiful natural settings.
Whether you’re on the hunt for a delectable bite to eat or a fun-filled day to tire the kids out, Wakefield’s vast array of attractions and experiences are a gem in Yorkshire’s crown.
This article was written by Natalie Willetts (Natalie Willetts Research & Writing Services) to celebrate the unique historical, cultural, and artistic personalities of West and South Yorkshire. Visit her directory listing to find out more or connect with her on Instagram and LinkedIn to follow her work as a Research Consultant.
References:
- https://www.facebook.com/CSmarkets
- https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurants-g190729-Wakefield_West_Yorkshire_England.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wakefield
- https://heritagecalling.com/2023/11/08/the-story-of-wakefield-in-8-places/
- https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g190729-Activities-Wakefield_West_Yorkshire_England.html
- https://experiencewakefield.co.uk/venue/castle-cafe/
- https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/visit/sandal-castle
- https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g190729-d188691-Reviews-National_Coal_Mining_Museum-Wakefield_West_Yorkshire_England.html
- https://www.ncm.org.uk/
- https://hepworthwakefield.org/