Art in Wakefield: Visiting the Hepworth Wakefield and Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Wakefield seems like an unlikely art destination, but as home to both the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Hepworth Wakefield, it is one of the most worthy art journeys in the UK. The Peak District is fairly close to Wakefield, so an exploration of that area can be easily combined with this art trip.

It is possible to get an LNER train from London to Wakefield in 2 hours, so that might be a sensible option for Londoners.

So, why make the journey for these two art institutions?

The first time I visited Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) was in the winter, and the hazy mist surrounding the Henry Moore sculptures as I walked down the slope of the main field was otherworldly. The fields are full of sheep grazing and the woodland path into the hills is home to highland cows. In other words, it’s a completely different atmosphere for art viewing than I am used to, and I love experiencing it differently in this setting.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

£6 / Free with National Art Pass

The Yorkshire Sculpture Park covers a lot of ground, and also features several galleries for indoor sculptural works alongside the works permanently placed in the expansive grounds. It’s a wonderful wander and discovery and features works by Moore, Hepworth, Ai Wei Wei, Nikki de Saint Phalle, James Turrell and many more.

When arriving at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, you’ll meet a parking attendant and park up outside. Note that the weather can really affect your visit, so be prepared with hardy shoes!

After purchasing or scanning your ticket, I recommend starting the outdoor walk. You’ll be given a map that outlines the area, but it is expansive and can take a few hours to explore the vast grounds.

The James Turrell room is one of my favourite things on the Yorkshire Sculpture Park site. It’s not too far from the car park, so an easy walk for a first stop. Sitting in the room and watching the framed square of sky slowly change is mesmerising.

The standouts for me are always the Moore sculptures. The biomorphism and the way the figures become part of the landscape are so integrated that seeing them in this location optimises their impact as artworks. Sometimes I feel that sculpture parks get a bit gimmicky, and I don’t like seeing kitschy art simply outdoors, as it often feels jarring. This is how I felt about the Damian Hirst exhibition on at the YSP on my visit last year. Luckily, there is plenty of sculpture that feels designed to be in nature and the changing exhibitions in the gallery spaces are always interesting as well.

After wandering the grounds of the sculpture park, don’t miss the indoor galleries! The big gallery spaces are in the main building and just outside of it — you won’t miss it if you walk the big route around the site.

YSP often hosts contemporary sculptors for exhibitions, during which work is shown outdoors as well as in the gallery space.

Don’t miss the gift shop while you’re in the main building. It’s stocked with creative goodies and works made by local artists. I love looking at the jewellery on display here.

Finally, if you’re hungry and haven’t brought a picnic, YSP has a big cafe with plenty of options plus a balcony with a great view over the site.

There is so much to see at the YSP that it could easily take a whole day. I usually try to do it in the morning, and then the Hepworth Wakefield after lunch if I am trying to fit both into one day, which is doable.

Find out more about how to plan a trip to Yorkshire here.

Hepworth Wakefield

£12 / 50% off with National Art Pass

Free for Wakefield Residents and under 18s

The Hepworth Wakefield is within the city itself, in a beautifully modern structure that manages to remain warm and welcoming. I’m a huge fan of Hepworth herself and Wakefield is where she grew up. The museum always has star works of hers on show, with changing temporary exhibitions. I’ve been to see both the Hepworth retrospective and the Sheila Hicks exhibition, which were knockouts. The museum is arranged in a modern white-cube sort of way, but feels more accessible and much less intimidating than say, the Tate Modern. I love everything I’ve seen there so far, and I’m sure I’ll be back again many times for future exhibitions.

The museum typically has a collection about Barbara Hepworth, charting her remarkable career and showing some glimpses of her process and tools (which I found so fascinating to see up close). It also shows a variety of British modernism, as well as more contemporary works which rotate but are curated around topical themes.

Then there is typically a big exhibition dedicated to one contemporary artist. In 2024, the museum will show the work of British-Signaporean artist Kim Lim until 2 June. Her modern sculptures are very much in the spirit of Barbara Hepworth. The following exhibition will be the work of painter Andrew Cranston, and his first monographic exhibition. His work reminds me a little of a modern-day Bonnard, and the show will open in November.

The Hepworth Wakefield has an incredible garden as well as beautiful modern architecture. Be sure to have a wander around the garden to see what’s in bloom and the various viewpoints over the water.

Kids are very welcome at the Hepworth, gaining free entry. Every time I’ve been there, there has been several activities available for children to join in and explore art in an engaging way. I love that focus on art education!

The Hepworth shop and cafe are equally as wonderful as YSP’s, so don’t miss a thoughtful and fresh meal while you’re here.

Wakefield is a wonderful example of how the arts can add vitality to an area. Yorkshire Sculpture Park and the Hepworth Wakefield will have me returning to Wakefield again and again, despite the far distance, because these art institutions make it such a special place.

Let me know if you have any questions about visiting these special art galleries in Wakefield!

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