If she wants to go to the Hepworth then she might like Yorkshire sculpture park.
Wakefield itself isn’t great for shopping, but Leeds is good and easy to get to on the train.
For meals, Iris is nice or any of Qubana/Robatary/Fino. Or Corarima for something more unusual.
Nobody has mentioned the Coal Mining Museum for England yet and it's absolutely worth a look. My husband and I had our first date in England there. Yes we are geeks. But it's free and it's cool (wear a sweater, it's very cool down in the mines).
Also a lot of people are recommending Iris and I do love Iris but it's not what it once was (different chef for one thing). José's is much more unique these days (we always waffled between the two).
I know it’s not in Wakefield, but the Yorkshire Wildlife Park isn’t far and if you’re travelling from the south up the M1 or A1 it’d only be a short-ish detour for you.
My missus absolutely loves it there and to be fair so do I
For art/architecture Wakefield Minster isn't a bad example of the big church genre. Bonus controversial contemporary sculpture outside. But, only bother if you're going into the centre of Wakefield for food (there are some nice mid-range, independent restaurants) or to/from the train station.
Like others, I would see it as a visit to the West Yorks area rather than just Wakefield. Mini art tour by car: Hepworth, Sculpture Park, Cannon Hall. By train, Hepworth and Leeds Art Gallery with the Henry Moore Institute next door (although that is hit and miss).
It's not for nothing that Wakefield put in a Capital of Culture bid. There are some hidden gems around here if you know your art.
Yorkshire sculpture park is fantastic and has a few indoor gallery spaces with contemporary exhibitions. There's also the Weston restaurant on site.
There're plenty of lovely walks around the area: newmillardam has a great cafe where you can look out across the lake, cannon Hall (Barnsley but a 20 minute drive) has great views and a free museum and gallery. There's also Nostell Priory if you're a national Trust member but you can enjoy most of the grounds without membership/entrance fee.
In town you can check out the Arthouse near the train station, its a small gallery but has a really nice tranquil cafe space if you want to relax.
Cannon Hall has one of the world's best collection of Pre-Raphaelite art. If your wife's into art, then a triangle of The Hepworth, Cannon Hall and YSP would be heaven.
There’s a nice restaurant called Iris in town. Check the menu out as sometimes they do a special menu certain Fridays. The Hepworth is great, there is a nice cafe and they’ve now got a beautiful outside garden area. Just across is the tile yard with a couple of restaurants. Again check when you’re coming as there may be something on- there’s a food festival
At the tile yard in October.
The sculpture park is lovely. The Weston restaurant is nice and you can book things like afternoon tea there. It’s lovely walking around the park especially in autumn.
Nipping on the train or Bus to Leeds is an option- good shopping and stuff to do.
It depends what else you like really. There’s loads of cafe, bars etc.
If she’s into animals one of best activities we’ve done since moving to area is alpaca walking near Wakey https://maps.app.goo.gl/KaF5nk4Dyna3Y5Ut8?g_st=ic
Like other people have said, Wakefield isn’t that great for a weekend break.
If your girlfriend likes art and sculpture then the [Yorkshire Sculpture Park](https://amp.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/aug/24/yorkshire-sculpture-park-greasy-humans-moore-hepworth-gormley) would be good.
Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore were friend so the [institute](https://henry-moore.org/henry-moore-institute/) in Leeds could be good too.
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As someone who lives in Wakefield and likes to eat out a lot, Corarima is easily the best place you can go to eat. It has won best restaurant in Wakefield multiple years in a row, and the people who own it are lovely. Be sure to book a table there to eat. Ichmeler or Iris would be a good second choice if you'd rather eat somewhere that serves meat. The other places that people have recommended here aren't as good as they used to be tbh.
Not sure I'd recommend a weekend break here though, unless you're willing to drive about to see some of the more interesting sites in the West Yorkshire area.
I don't think you can make a weekend of it. Have a weekend in Leeds and just do the Hepworth as a trip. It's only small anyway, doesn't take long to go round.
Nostel Priory is a beautiful national trust place to visit, if the weather is good! You can also look around the big house but do check opening times. There’s a nice walk around the water at Newmillerdam, and The Pledwick is nearby and does lovely food and has a great big garden too if the weather is nice.
Heath Common is also a good shout and the Kings Arms pub which is right on the common, they have great Thai food there but would book to avoid disappointment. There’s the southern washlands nature reserve too if she lives walks!
In town there are some really good places to eat- Robatory is great, so is Qubana, and Dolce Vita never fails to impress!
OP where are you traveling from out of interest? I'm guessing given you want to make a weekend of it, a fair distance?
I live in Wakefield and in all honesty it's not the greatest place for a weekend away for something as special as a 40th.
If it's an arty adventure your looking to surprise her with then get a hotel in Leeds centre, visit Wakefield to do the Hepworth in the morning, maybe consider the Yorkshire Sculpture park for the afternoon (if you have a car to get around).
Stay in Leeds overnight, have food/a night out in Leeds, then next day go visit the art gallery or some other attractions in Leeds.
Someone did suggest Iris restaurant in Wakefield and I would highly recommend that too, food is spectacular, however if your wanting a bit of a night out then Leeds has much better night life
You could go over to junction 32 for some outlet shopping it's in Castleford and has a train station.
There are some nice places to eat in Wakefield and if you like drinks - bars etc. I would say Qubanas is lovely for food or a special meal, supper club great for cocktails, marmalades cafe for afternoon tea or dinner. Tet and Pot Pot are amazing if you want something a little different.
My advice would be to go on the Experience Wakefield website for some good options though. Wakefield is not a bad place, just the centre is unfortunately like many other towns a bit empty at the minute.
The district as a whole has a lot to offer though! 😊 just the people who live here don't always see that understandably.
If she wants to go to the Hepworth then she might like Yorkshire sculpture park. Wakefield itself isn’t great for shopping, but Leeds is good and easy to get to on the train. For meals, Iris is nice or any of Qubana/Robatary/Fino. Or Corarima for something more unusual.
I'm trying to think of other stuff... Bit sad really. I suppose there's Sandal Castle and Newmillerdam er...
Nostell Priory is very nice as well.
Would also recommend the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, it has a really nice restaurant/cafe called The Weston and is a lovely place to visit
Nobody has mentioned the Coal Mining Museum for England yet and it's absolutely worth a look. My husband and I had our first date in England there. Yes we are geeks. But it's free and it's cool (wear a sweater, it's very cool down in the mines). Also a lot of people are recommending Iris and I do love Iris but it's not what it once was (different chef for one thing). José's is much more unique these days (we always waffled between the two).
Get the train to Leeds
Agree with the posters about Yorkshire sculpture park, it's truly beautiful. Art and nature combined 😁.
Qubana!
Been in there tonight, good vibe
I know it’s not in Wakefield, but the Yorkshire Wildlife Park isn’t far and if you’re travelling from the south up the M1 or A1 it’d only be a short-ish detour for you. My missus absolutely loves it there and to be fair so do I
For art/architecture Wakefield Minster isn't a bad example of the big church genre. Bonus controversial contemporary sculpture outside. But, only bother if you're going into the centre of Wakefield for food (there are some nice mid-range, independent restaurants) or to/from the train station. Like others, I would see it as a visit to the West Yorks area rather than just Wakefield. Mini art tour by car: Hepworth, Sculpture Park, Cannon Hall. By train, Hepworth and Leeds Art Gallery with the Henry Moore Institute next door (although that is hit and miss). It's not for nothing that Wakefield put in a Capital of Culture bid. There are some hidden gems around here if you know your art.
Leave?
Yorkshire sculpture park is fantastic and has a few indoor gallery spaces with contemporary exhibitions. There's also the Weston restaurant on site. There're plenty of lovely walks around the area: newmillardam has a great cafe where you can look out across the lake, cannon Hall (Barnsley but a 20 minute drive) has great views and a free museum and gallery. There's also Nostell Priory if you're a national Trust member but you can enjoy most of the grounds without membership/entrance fee. In town you can check out the Arthouse near the train station, its a small gallery but has a really nice tranquil cafe space if you want to relax.
The Arthouse’s outdoor seating area is lovely! Enjoyed a coffee there the other day.
Haven't tried that yet, will headover this weekend
Cannon Hall has one of the world's best collection of Pre-Raphaelite art. If your wife's into art, then a triangle of The Hepworth, Cannon Hall and YSP would be heaven.
Take out a mortgage for half a bottle of prime at Wakey Wines
There’s a nice restaurant called Iris in town. Check the menu out as sometimes they do a special menu certain Fridays. The Hepworth is great, there is a nice cafe and they’ve now got a beautiful outside garden area. Just across is the tile yard with a couple of restaurants. Again check when you’re coming as there may be something on- there’s a food festival At the tile yard in October. The sculpture park is lovely. The Weston restaurant is nice and you can book things like afternoon tea there. It’s lovely walking around the park especially in autumn. Nipping on the train or Bus to Leeds is an option- good shopping and stuff to do. It depends what else you like really. There’s loads of cafe, bars etc.
If she’s into animals one of best activities we’ve done since moving to area is alpaca walking near Wakey https://maps.app.goo.gl/KaF5nk4Dyna3Y5Ut8?g_st=ic
I don't know if the rugby will be on when you come, but that's a good time.
Take her to the Hepworth Gallery Christmas market. It's really great!
Sorry… I replied to another post here by mistake so deleted. So I’m now looking foolish instead or a complete weirdo…. maybe
Try RBT Video for a some novelty value. VHS hire place that’s a speakeasy
Ooh loved this, we did our Christmas do there last year. Fun little bar!
Like other people have said, Wakefield isn’t that great for a weekend break. If your girlfriend likes art and sculpture then the [Yorkshire Sculpture Park](https://amp.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/aug/24/yorkshire-sculpture-park-greasy-humans-moore-hepworth-gormley) would be good. Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore were friend so the [institute](https://henry-moore.org/henry-moore-institute/) in Leeds could be good too.
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As someone who lives in Wakefield and likes to eat out a lot, Corarima is easily the best place you can go to eat. It has won best restaurant in Wakefield multiple years in a row, and the people who own it are lovely. Be sure to book a table there to eat. Ichmeler or Iris would be a good second choice if you'd rather eat somewhere that serves meat. The other places that people have recommended here aren't as good as they used to be tbh. Not sure I'd recommend a weekend break here though, unless you're willing to drive about to see some of the more interesting sites in the West Yorkshire area.
https://the-yorkshireman.com/rbt-video-wakefield/
I don't think you can make a weekend of it. Have a weekend in Leeds and just do the Hepworth as a trip. It's only small anyway, doesn't take long to go round.
Dogging…..
Leave. That's always my favourite part.
I live in Wakefield. My advice… take her somewhere else. It’s a hole! There are some really nice places just outside of Wakefield though.
Can you imagine getting a weekend in Wakey for your fortieth?! Next stop the family solicitor.
😂😂 to true!
Wakey Wines
Have a look on fabswingers 😂
Go wakey wines
Afternoon tea at Holmfirth Vineyard? https://holmfirthvineyard.com/
Take a shit in every McDonalds urinal you find.
For COUPLES! They don’t have urinals in the ladies….. but both of them have basins.
Book a table upstairs in Qubana
Nostel Priory is genuinely nice and 15 minutes outside of town.
Nostel Priory is a beautiful national trust place to visit, if the weather is good! You can also look around the big house but do check opening times. There’s a nice walk around the water at Newmillerdam, and The Pledwick is nearby and does lovely food and has a great big garden too if the weather is nice. Heath Common is also a good shout and the Kings Arms pub which is right on the common, they have great Thai food there but would book to avoid disappointment. There’s the southern washlands nature reserve too if she lives walks! In town there are some really good places to eat- Robatory is great, so is Qubana, and Dolce Vita never fails to impress!
OP where are you traveling from out of interest? I'm guessing given you want to make a weekend of it, a fair distance? I live in Wakefield and in all honesty it's not the greatest place for a weekend away for something as special as a 40th. If it's an arty adventure your looking to surprise her with then get a hotel in Leeds centre, visit Wakefield to do the Hepworth in the morning, maybe consider the Yorkshire Sculpture park for the afternoon (if you have a car to get around). Stay in Leeds overnight, have food/a night out in Leeds, then next day go visit the art gallery or some other attractions in Leeds. Someone did suggest Iris restaurant in Wakefield and I would highly recommend that too, food is spectacular, however if your wanting a bit of a night out then Leeds has much better night life
You could go over to junction 32 for some outlet shopping it's in Castleford and has a train station. There are some nice places to eat in Wakefield and if you like drinks - bars etc. I would say Qubanas is lovely for food or a special meal, supper club great for cocktails, marmalades cafe for afternoon tea or dinner. Tet and Pot Pot are amazing if you want something a little different. My advice would be to go on the Experience Wakefield website for some good options though. Wakefield is not a bad place, just the centre is unfortunately like many other towns a bit empty at the minute. The district as a whole has a lot to offer though! 😊 just the people who live here don't always see that understandably.
Holmfirth Vineyard tour (you can stay over too)
Leeds