From the famous pie shop on the Westgate Run with its steep stairs to Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb, Wakefield is at the heart of England with some of the best commuter routes but actually, it’s worth staying local to explore these hidden gems.
In a new documentary by Mr and Mrs Yorkshire aka Danny Malin and Sophie Mei Lan, which guides people to Wakefield City Centre, the pair chat with Madam Mayor Josie Pritchard at Wakefield Town Hall and explore the surprising history of the place.
Here presenter and journalist, Mrs Yorkshire Sophie Mei Lan, shares some of their findings as Mr and Mrs Yorkshire go on their journey with their camera lass Victoria Reddington from Ossett.
As visitors move in their throngs throughout Wakefield city centre, most don’t realise that nestled underground is a secret tunnel that used to take prisoners from their holding cells straight into the courtroom which is now a ceremonial room in Wakefield town hall.
Wakefield is steeped in history from the bowels of the Cathedral to the once trailblazing The Ridings Shopping Centre.
Now what used to be known as the “merrie city” is often called Shakey Wakey known for the Westgate Run bar crawl.
Once you hop off the train at Westgate you may first spot the notorious Wakefield Prison aka Monster Mansion looming over the city’s skyline.
Known as the home of some of the world’s most prolific criminals, it is also steeped in history because it is believed to be where the Mulberry Bush nursery rhyme originated.
Just up from there in the heart of the city centre is the oldest building, Wakefield Cathedral which is still a significant place of worship, a tourist attraction, and an events venue.
Wakefield Cathedral was originally a parish church having been a site of worship for over 1000 years. The Cathedral has 14 bells and has the highest tower in Yorkshire.
Outside the Cathedral is a new controversial statue the Amazon Love God. It’s part of the Yorkshire Sculpture Triangle – a special government-funded trail celebrating the area’s rich history of sculpoture. Wakefield was of course home to sculptor Barbara Hepworth who is now remembered at The Hepworth Wakefield Gallery as well as in Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
Another place of viral interest nearby is Wakefield Wines which has become infamous for selling items at ridiculous prices.
Somewhere that has stood the test of time is Fino Italian Restaurant however which is the second oldest building in Wakefield after the Cathedral. It’s on Northgate which is also where a TikTok famous secret bar can be found – RBT Video.
Less of a purpose-built secret venue but more of a unique fact is that the Counting House pub which has a secret wine cellar which used to be the Old Bakehouse.
Another underground secret is the animal cemetery in Thornes Park where there is also a secret garden that only locals know about.
A fond memory of those who’ve lived in the district for a while is when The Ridings Shopping Centre was first built in 1983 with a fish pond.
The Ridings Shopping Centre in Wakefield was the first of its kind when it opened because it included an American-inspired food court. This first glass wall climber lift was a replica of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Atlanta, and it was a trailblazer in its era.
Nowadays there is Trinity Walk as well as Junction 32 retail outlet near Castleford.
A large part of the trade in the area is from locally grown produce such as licorice and Rhubarb because Yorkshire soil is the best to grow such produce. Wakefield is a key part of the Rhubarb Triangle which stretches between Wakefield, Morley, and Rothwell.
Wakefield is not only the home of Rhubarb, Barbara Hepworth, Jane McDonald but also my husband Danny, us five children, and two dogs.
For more, go to: https://mrandmrsyorkshire.com/
Mr and Mrs Yorkshire 