The city of Wakefield in West Yorkshire has the River Calder as part of its fabric, and the city and river are entwined in the history of the place. Wakefield is believed to have been settled and developed by the Angles who probably came by boat up the Calder as late as the fifth century, the place-name probably meaning Wacca’s field (the field belonging to a man called Wacca). As a crossing of the Calder it was a meeting point and a place to trade, and cattle dealing was a vital part of the economy there for many centuries. In the late ninth century the Vikings ruled the region briefly, having taken York from the Saxons, but the Normans made a far greater mark after the conquest. On the positive side the Normans replaced the small Saxon church with a far larger one. On the very negative side they devastated the area in their backlash to the revolt against William’s rule started in the North. The commercial progress of Wakefield was marked by John’s granting of a charter in 1204 that allowed a three day fair to take place around All Saints’ Day. In 1258 Henry III granted the town the right to a summer fair. As the regional cattle centre Wakefield also developed a tanning industry through medieval times, and the wool trade grew too with weaving and dyeing (both tanning and weaving benefited from the Calder’s waters), and there was a Piece Hall here for the sale of hand-woven cloth. The town’s prosperity saw the building of a Chantry Chapel at Kirkgate Bridge in 1356, and the building of All Saints’ Church (which became a Cathedral in 1888). Sandal Castle outside Wakefield became a significant fortress, and was the scene of the Battle of Wakefield in 1460 when the Duke of York was killed in what was for a time a decisive phase of the Wars of the Roses. The Calder, already vital to the town’s development, was improved for transport after the passing of the Aire and Calder Navigation Act in 1699, opening up the route to the North Sea. Industrial progress was facilitated by easier transport, the coal mining and textiles businesses in the area thriving as a result. The coming of the railways in 1840 (and the city retains two stations still) reduced the importance of river freight, but even today the Calder is of commercial importance, with a £150m scheme underway to improve the waterfront for tourist, business and industrial use. Just off the M1, and with the M62 running above it, Wakefield is easy to get to and from, making it a good base for a weekend of exploration. The varied nature and history of the city (which Wakefield became in 1888) can be summed up by looking at three of the sights there: the ruins of Sandal Castle south of the city; the National Coal Mining Museum (the town lost its nearest pits in the early 1980s); and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park just down the M1, featuring works by one of the city’s most famous daughters, Dame Barbara Hepworth (with a gallery in her honour in the city centre too). There have been plenty of other famous people to come out of Wakefield, from the explorer Martin Frobisher (who found the Northwest Passage) to 1940s acid bath killer John Haigh. On the lighter side Helen Fielding, author of Bridget Jones, also comes from the area.
Attraction
Anglers Country Park & Waterton Countryside Discovery Centre
Gissing Centre
National Coal Mining Museum
Newmillerdam Country Park
Nostell Priory (NT)
Pugneys Country Park
Sandal Castle
Wakefield Art Gallery
Wakefield Cathedral
Wakefield Museum
Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Budget
Campanile Hotel *book online*
Premier Inn Wakefield Central *book online*
Premier Inn Wakefield City North *book online*
Premier Inn Wakefield South (M1 J39) *book online*
Travelodge Wakefield *book online*
Travelodge Wakefield Woolley Edge M1 Northbound *book online*
Travelodge Wakefield Woolley Edge M1 Southbound *book online*
Village Motel *book online*
Camping
Caravan Park
Care Home
Ardsley Cottage
Daisy Vale House
Dolphin Lane Care Home
Earls Lodge Care Home
Gateholme
Lawrence Care Home
Mayfield House
Woodhouse Cottage
Woodhouse Hall
Cinema
Classes
Dance - Betty Chappelle Dance Centre
Yoga - Nicky Kendrick
Club
Council
Wakefield Metropolitan District Council
Dentist
Crigglestone Dental & Implant Care
Dental Practice
Outwood Dental Care
Richards and Associate
Estate Agent
Brown William H
Hodsons
John Stuart & Co
Kendall Richard
Letmove.com
Simon Miller Property
Vickers Orriss
Woodheads Estate Agents
Golf Club
City of Wakefield Golf Club
Lofthouse Hill
Normanton
Painthorpe House
Wakefield Golf Club
Waterton Park Golf Club
Health and Fitness Club
Esteem Personal Training Studio
Fitness First Wakefield
Gallery Health and Fitness Club
Greens Health and Fitness
Market
Pledwick CC Car Boot
Rotary Club Of Wakefield Car Boot
Thornes Juniors Car Boot
Wakefield Market
Wakefield Market Hall
Performing Arts
Accord Singers
Theatre Royal & Opera House
Pub and Bar
Albion Inn
Bay Horse Inn
Castle (The)
Cheers
Cock Inn
Cow Shed
Elephant & Castle
Kaye Arms Inn & Brasserie
New Inn
Pledwick Well Inn
Portobello
Queen
Rocking Horse
The Three Houses
Unicorn Inn
Vine Tree
Wagon & Horses
Restaurant
Aagrah Restaurant
Bella Roma
Castle (The)
Cow Shed
Jaf Jaf
Kaye Arms Inn & Brasserie
La Dolce Vita
Los Suenos
Magdalene's Restaurant
Masala's Indian Restaurant
Mex Cantina
New Inn
Prego Pizzeria
Royal Diner
Traders (Wakefield)
Wolski's
School
Cliff School
Queen Elizabeth Grammar Junior School
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School
Silcoates School
Sunny Hill House School
Wakefield Girls' High School
Wakefield Girls' High School Junior School
Solicitor
Chadwick Lawrence
Claire Jones & Assoicates
Dixon Coles & Gill
Lawsons Solicitors
Pollard Coutts & Co
Taxi
A B C Taxis & Airport Transfer Services
Abbey Taxis
Ace Taxis
Bargain Taxis
Coach Hire Wakefield
Fleet Taxis
Mini Bus Hire Wakefield
Wakefield Cars
Theatre
Vet
Sports Clubs
Flockton CC (Cricket)
Pledwick CC (Cricket)
Sandal RUFC (Rugby Union)
Slazenger (Men's Hockey)
Slazenger (Women's Hockey)
Stanley Rangers ARLFC (Rugby League)
Wakefield Hockey Club (Men's Hockey)
Wakefield Hockey Club (Women's Hockey)
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats (Rugby League)
West Riding Sailing Club (Sailing)
Shops
Book Sales
Stringer W H & Sons
The Works
Angels World Of Flowers
Thus Organic
Boots
Pick-a-Lily
Wyevale Garden Centre
Spring Green Nurseries
Newstead Garden & Bonsai Centre
Living Care Pharmacy
Patterson Opticians
Capretti
Wishbone Ash
J D Sports
Staples
Stomp Clothing
Avart
Ernest Jones
Special Selections
Blacker Hall Farm Shop
Mothercare
Gamestation
Goldsmiths
Blooming Fantastic
Specsavers
T K Maxx
J J B Sports
Pets At Home
Photoneg
Face The Future
Topman
Topshop
BHS
The Entertainer
Antiques
Wilson Antiques
Old Vicarage Antiques & Books
Activities
Ministry of Paintball(Adventure)
Wakefield CC(Cycling)
Rockwood Equestrian Centre(Outdoor Pursuits)
Places to Stay near Wakefield
Saville Guest House (0.21 miles)
The Saville Guest house is a pleasant friendly place to stay. All rooms are en-suite with all the many of the latest modern amenities. Saville Guest House is a family owned ... More
Travelodge Wakefield (0.23 miles)
There are loads of reasons our customers choose to stay at Travelodge. Our great value clean and comfortable rooms with en-suite provide everything needed for a good night's sleep and are close to where people ... More | visit website
Stanley View Guest House (0.59 miles)
For the past 20 years the Stanley View Guest House, close to Wakefield city centre, has been run by the same family. If you are a racing fan, we are handy ... More
Parklands Hotel (0.85 miles)
Retaining the ambience and character of the original Victorian Vicarage. Positioned next to Thornes Park, and only 5 minutes from the M1 motorway. A quiet, friendly location which is less than 1/2 a mile ... More | visit website
Premier Inn Wakefield Central (0.94 miles)
Premier Inn Wakefield City North (1.02 miles)
Campanile Hotel (1.40 miles)
Boasting easy access from M1 (Junction 39), a free car park, on-site restaurant and rooms with an en suite bathroom, this modern hotel provides ideal accommodation for all travellers. Take advantage of ... More
Days Inn Wakefield (2.01 miles)
Premier Inn Wakefield South (M1 J39) (2.18 miles)
Tall Trees Hotel (3.15 miles)
Tall Trees Hotel is licensed *non smoking)& located on the A61 out of Leeds, just ten Minutes from the City Centre, and only 10 minutes from Wakefield. The M1 and ... More
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