Wakefield

To the northeast is Wakefield, which, surprisingly, is the capital of West Yorkshire. Before the Industrial Revolution Wakefield dominated the regional cloth trade and had been a centre for weaving and wool since shortly after the Norman Conquest. Its medieval heritage remains in the 14th century Parish Church Cathedral and the Medieval Bridge Chapel that sits over the River Calder and is the best of only four remaining examples in the country today.

The Wakefield Art Gallerys most exciting collections are by the local sculptors Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth, though there are other significant modern art works by British artists.

In the far southwest of this locality is the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, which is one of Europes leading outdoor art venues and shows the work of leading artists in 500-acres of 18th century landscaping. The parkland surrounds Bretton Hall, which recently merged with Leeds University and is a further education centre specialising in design, music and the visual and performance arts.