The Wakefield Area includes the City of Wakefield itself and surrounding
towns and villages. The area has good links to Leeds in the North and
Barnsley to the South via the M1, as well as close access to the M62
motorway. The area is a diverse mix of rural and urban locations.
The City of Wakefield contains architecture from Medieval, Victorian and
Georgian times, with the cathedral dating back to the 14th Century, whilst the
Chantry Chapel of St Mary is a rare example of a medieval bridge chantry
Wakefield has a long market tradition and still provides excellent indoor and
outdoor markets. On the sporting scene the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a
Rugby League team playing Super League and Wakefield & Emley compete
in Football's Unibond League. The city has many attractions, museums
theatres, pubs and clubs. There are several parks and trails including Thornes
Park. The Wakefield area is famous for Rhubarb and a festival takes place
annually.
The settlements surrounding the city also offer several attractions. Pugneys
Country Park, a popular water sports venue, can be found near Crigglestone.
Walton is the location of the Waterton Park Hotel, which incorporates Walton
Hall, Britain's first nature reserve and once the home of Charles Waterton
famous for his travels to South America and inventor of the bird-nesting box.
The Yorkshire Sculpture Park is located in West Bretton and hosts many
famous works including many from locals Henry Moore (Castleford) and
Barbara Hepworth (Wakefield). The National Coal Mining Museum is situated
in the Overton. Woolley to the south of the area is home to the impressive
Woolley Hall and Woolley Park Golf Course.
