Wakefield Waterfront

Wakefield's city centre waterfront on the Calder & Hebble Navigation is the scene of an extensive housing and leisure redevelopment - the Wakefield Waterfront Project. The site includes a fine selection of listed buildings including the Navigation Warehouse (1790), an early 19thC water mill and several later mills complexes. Wakefield itself is a lively town with a good choice of shopping, a bustling open-air market, bars, cafes and restaurants. Two of the 20thC's greatest sculptors - Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore - were born nearby so it's no surprise that their work features prominently both in Wakefield Art Gallery (01924 305796) and also in the spectacular Yorkshire Sculpture Park (01924 830302). Other attractions include the Theatre Royal and Opera House, the National Coal Mining Museum (01924 848806), Seckar Wood and Bretton Lakes Nature Reserves and several stately homes including Nostell Priory, Bretton Country Park and Heath Hall. Annual events include the Rhubarb Festival (including tours of forcing sheds, rhubarb floral demonstrations and rhubarb wine making), Waterway Festival and, in nearby Gawthorpe, the World Coal Carrying Championship. Wakefield is also on the Trans Penine Trail long-distance walking route.

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