We will explore how the mills close to the Hepworth Museum in Wakefield are undergoing major regeneration, then continue an exploration of Victorian and heritage sites as we walk into the city.
Wakefield is thought to have been first settled over 1,000 years ago. Today, the town’s medieval street pattern is still discernible within the city centre where there are examples of buildings to be found from the late 16th century to the modern day.
An often-overlooked fact is that Wakefield was an inland port, originally navigable to the east coast and then later, thanks to the canal system, to the west coast. As well as being a centre for trade, with large livestock, corn and cattle markets, Wakefield was also a centre for administration (as the former ‘capital’ of the West Riding), and the textile industry.
On our walk, we will look at some of the features at Wakefield Waterfront, including refurbished mill buildings, and modern housing and office blocks. Our guide on this visit will be local resident Kevin Trickett MBE, President of Wakefield Civic Society and author of four books on the city’s architectural history. This first part of the walk will take approximately 90 minutes.
Our meeting point for the walk will be the courtyard at Tileyard North (by the chimney) at 10:30am.
Address: Tileyard North, Tootal Street/Barnsley Road, Wakefield, WF1 5FY.
There is a free City Bus running between Westgate Station, the Bus Station, Kirkgate Station, and The Hepworth (alight at Tileyard North) that runs every 10 minutes or so throughout the day.
For those wishing to continue their exploration of Wakefield, Kevin will lead the group in to the city centre to show some of the more interesting architecture. Time will be allowed for people to buy lunch at one of the many cafés and restaurants to be found in the centre near to the Cathedral. The walk will end in the city centre at around 3pm.