Wakefield Museum

About the museum

Wakefield Museum tells the story of Wakefield and the surrounding area from prehistoric times to the present. It first opened in 1955 in the former Mechanics' Institute, a listed 19th-century building in the city centre. In 2013 the collections moved to a new home on the lower ground floor of Wakefield One, the council's civic building beside Wakefield Westgate station, and Sir David Attenborough opened the relocated museum that March.

The displays cover local themes such as the medieval Manor of Wakefield, the Battle of Wakefield, Sandal Castle, the city's prison and its industries. One strong thread is the Victorian naturalist and explorer Charles Waterton of Walton Hall, whose letters and belongings appear in the A World of Good gallery. Smaller objects range from a gold medieval posy ring linked to Sandal Castle and a hand-stitched football made in Horbury for the 1966 World Cup to a Victorian prison door and recent items from Wakefield Pride.

The museum is run by Wakefield Council as part of its museums and castles service. Entry is free, and it offers family trails, regular children's sessions, school workshops and a changing programme of exhibitions.

Highlights

• Charles Waterton's letters and belongings from Walton Hall
• Medieval gold posy ring and pottery linked to Sandal Castle
• Hand-stitched football made in Horbury for the 1966 World Cup
• Victorian prison door from Wakefield Prison with a peephole
• Anglo-Saxon carved cross shaft on loan from York Museums Trust

Permanent exhibition

• A World of Good – Gallery of Wakefield stories that includes letters and belongings of the naturalist and explorer Charles Waterton of Walton Hall.

Founded

1955

Operated by

Wakefield Council (Wakefield Museums and Castles)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry to the museum and its exhibitions is free all year, with no booking or ticket needed. Some bookable activities carry a small extra fee.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is on the lower ground floor of Wakefield One with step-free access throughout and a level-access entrance on Cliff Lane. The accessible toilets are one floor up, reached by lift or stairs, and do not need a RADAR key. There is a hearing loop. There is no Changing Places toilet on site; the nearest is in the Trinity Walk shopping centre, about 0.6 miles away. Blue Badge spaces are on Burton Street beside Wakefield One (up to four cars) and on a short one-way street off Cliffe Lane. Most staff have had Makaton, visual impairment, sighted guide and autism awareness training, and relaxed openings are held. Only assistance and guide dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Free trails lead children around the galleries to find the star objects, and there is a dress-up area and a 1950s toy kitchen. Family Fun craft sessions run on Saturdays from 11am to 3pm, and the Museum Minis session for ages 2 to 5 runs on Thursdays in term time from 10:30am to 11:30am. Baby changing is in the accessible toilets one floor up, where staff can also supply nappies and wipes. The museum is breastfeeding-friendly, and all areas are accessible for pushchairs.

Getting there & parking

From the M1 use Junction 40 via the A638 or Junction 41 via the A650. Use WF1 2EB in a sat nav.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Create Café, opposite the museum entrance, has its own toilets. Food and drink are not allowed in the galleries.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit