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Yorkshire Sculpture Park

4.4 (24 reviews)
Open 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Yorkshire Sculpture Park Photos

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The rolling fields we walked across
Michael B.

We had a really great day out visiting YSP, a 500 acre gallery without walls near Wakefield. Situated in the grounds of 18th century-designed Bretton Hall, the park contains several pathways you can amble along and discover modern and contemporary sculptures within the landscape. There's also a large lake in the centre and a number of picturesque bridges to cross. As you'd probably expect it's also teeming with wildlife, with everything from sheep and horned cattle roaming free in some areas (dogs must be kept on leads) to wildfowl along the banks of the lake and River Dearne. If you're a lover of impressive trees, (who isn't?) then you'll find plenty of examples within the grounds. There was some pretty awe-inspiring art to see, especially by the American artist KAWS - some of his exhibits were monumental. Other pieces I wasn't that impressed by, but that's what I love about art; it's subjective and what one person loves another will ask whether it's art at all? As well as the open-air sculptures there are indoor galleries as well, to the northern and southern edges of the park. Here you'd find the temporary exhibitions or artworks too delicate to keep outdoors. The YSP Centre which is adjacent to the Underground Gallery contains the gift shop and a café - if you can stand the queues at lunchtime you're in for a really decent meal. Or bring a picnic and enjoy eating outside. Tip: entry is free but you have to pay to park.

Nice brunch
Tammy W.

Having driven past here for the last 13 years I've been driving up & down the m1, the Mr, my niece, the dog & myself took a visit out there this weekend to use up a Livingsocial deal. You can go on the website and 'plan' your route to get the best of the layout etc but seeing as we had 2 bundles of mischief to contend with we just decided to go & see what happened. Firstly, Sunday was bloody freezing, secondly, when you try to get back to the main building/car park its all uphill!!!!!! After walking solidly for 2 hours we didn't appreciate that! So, if you are into art & Sculpture then this is a wonderful place to spend the day, also if you just like to walk in nice surroundings. There are lots of sculptures and installations to look at and admire, a large lake with vicious geese and attractive gardens. The voucher we had included brunch and parking which was a bargain as parking alone sets you back £7.50! The restaurant serves some lovely looking food but is a bit expensive (£9.50 for goats cheese tart,chips & salad) and our brunch was very enjoyable. I must comment that the offerings for kids meals was nice and healthy and my niece certainly had enough. A few draw backs of the park are- Lack of staff to ask for advice/information Expensive cafe Lack of seating areas We are definitely going to go back though as its a wonderful place surprisingly close and accessible.

The winter of 2009
Ryan W.

I have had many great days and afternoons here, There has been a boost in this place since many schools are now taking art to the next level. I moved to Flockton a local village 2 years ago and since there has been trips from my old school in Derbyshire to the YSP. If your a family or a couple there is something for all. Walking and even going for a picnic, The car park is around £5 which is a little high but the money does go towards the YSP trust. There is a small cafe on the grounds aswel as the restaurant in the main building, the cafe has hold and cold drinks and is normally only open in the summer with a selection of ice cream. If you want a day out thats local and in the hearty country this is the place. Busses run from Wakefield, Huddersfield, and some from Doncaster,

Roger Long
Nunhead N.

A trip to the sculpture park is always top of my list whenever I have the pleasure of visiting Yorkshire. A day spent with world class sculpture in a natural setting is a special, unique experience - worry not folks; this is the real deal and not a sculpture theme park. Entrance to the park and the galleries is still free despite all the recent cut backs which have had a big impact on funding for the sculpture park. The car parks are currently charging a not unreasonable £7.50 for the day - however, if you know the area there are a couple of places on the main approach road and the small side roads where you can park for free. Part of the joy of the sculpture park is that it offers something for everyone. The collection is beautifully curated and there are visiting exhibitions which are always worth travelling to see. If art is not your thing you can go for a wander or just chill in some of Yorkshire's finest countryside. Outside there are top notch sculptures from Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, and many others, within 5 or 10 minutes walk of the main galleries. There is much more to see if you make a bit of an effort and really stretch your legs - it's easy to spend a whole day exploring the extensive grounds of the 500 acre Bretton Estate and some of the most inspiring work is to be found well away from the main site. Inside you have the YSP centre, Underground Gallery, Bothy Gallery and other interesting spaces. On our visit this week there was the FABRIC -ATION show by Yinka Shonibare; a stunning retrospective collection of work from one the UK's finest artists. The highlight of this show for me was the beautiful film Addio del Passato which is showing in the 18th century Chapel. A must see piece opened this Saturday - Seizure by Roger Hiorns. It's a faithful recreation of the flat near the Elephant and Castle which he filled with copper sulphate in 2008 creating a stunning interior of blue crystals. It's a magical experience being inside the building and this piece alone makes a trip to the park worthwhile. If you are really organised check out the YSP website as there is an ongoing programme of artist talks, workshops, art hikes and such like which are usually reasonably priced or often free. At some point during the day your thoughts will turn to food and a cold refreshment. If you have brought your own lunch there are plenty of lovely spots with picnic benches. If not you can have some food and drink in the very fine restaurant which serves up hot food at lunchtime until 3pm. The main dishes are not cheap but the quality, preparation and presentation is what you would expect from a good restaurant. On my visits this week I had a very tasty lamb pie, which I struggled to finish, and a lovely plate of salmon salad nicoise which was a joy to eat on the terrace, washed down with a bottle of Yorkshire Blonde, for £9. We are already looking forward to our next visit. Enjoy .........

Yorkshire sculpture park
Tricia R.

Ever since we moved to yorkshire people have been telling us how wonderful the yorkshire sculpture park is. The sculpture park is set in 500 acres of a former 18 century country estate. Without the sculptures and the various indoor galleries it would be a stunning (very large) park. The lakes are beautiful and nesting grounds for a large variety of birds and wildfowl. The sulptures are so well placed, with some being very prominent and others seemingly sneaking up on you as you turn a corner. We walked around for over 3 hours on a typically blustery yorkshire day and finished off with coffee and cake on the balcony of the lovely cafe/restaurant Already planning our next visit, this time armed with a picnic to spend the day.

Poppies sculpture
Sue T.

Have been here a few times and today, Sunday is different as the poppies sculpture are here which has certainly attracted more visitors. Car parks, cafes and everywhere is busy which is great for the park but not for quiet contemplation in memory of the soldiers. Coming on a dry / slightly sunny weekend is a bad idea for this. Went to the cafe afterwards for a cuppa tea but the queue was huge so went for the much smaller queue of the ice cream van. 2 scoop tub, 1 waffle ice cream and 2 cans cost £10.20. I worked it out again and he'd overcharged us by 45p. The cans were £1.85 each!!!!! Car park is another extortionate story, £2.50 for an hour, 2-3 hours £5 or £8 for day. Expensive family day although there are places to eat if you bring your own picnic

Lady Eglingtons well
Katherine S.

Had a lovely walk around here today, think it helped that the sun was actually shining! I'm not a huge fan of modern art but really enjoyed having a walk around the lake and the fields to blow the cobwebs away. There was also a film being shown in the old Chapel which was nice to sit and watch for a few minutes. We didn't get a chance to see everything there as the Park is so huge, next time I'd like to have a look at the Longside Gallery which is at the other end of the site, although they do run a free shuttle bus to and from this gallery when there's an exhibition on. We popped into the cafe/restaurant before we had to catch our bus home. Had a nosey at the prices for the hot food and it was more than I'd be wanting to pay for a quick lunch, but they stop serving hot food at 3pm. I had a slice of lemon and blueberry cake and a bottle of Dandelion and Burdock. The cake was really yummy and moist. My OH had an almond slice and cherry coke, and together they came to just under a tenner. Both the drinks were Fentiman's which obviously pushes the price up, but I think most people would expect to pay that when they visit a museum or gallery. We both really enjoyed a walk around here today, and hopefully we'll go back in the summer and take a picnic, might make the day even cheaper!

Gormley sculpture
Gayle P.

I can fully see why Yorkshire Sculpture Park won museum of the year 2014. The place is absolutely amazing and combines art, sculpture and stunning landscapes in 70 acres of gorgeous parkland. Parking costs £8 but as the museum is free to enter I didn't feel that was too bad. The park is set in the grounds of what used to be Bretton Hall and the lake and greenery that surrounds the sculptures is stunning. There are so many sculptures and exhibits to see. I think the highlight for me was the seizure exhibit by Roger Hiorns which had transformed an empty council flat in Southwark, London, into a sparkling blue environment of copper sulphate crystals. Apparently seizure was created using 75,000 litres of liquid copper sulphate, which was pumped into the former council flat to create a strangely beautiful and somewhat menacing crystalline growth on the walls, floor, ceiling and bath of the abandoned dwelling. Amazing!!! There was also interesting work by Andy Goldsworthy and Anthony Gormley to view. Even if you are not that into art and sculpture the park itself is well worth a visit. The lake and surrounding grounds have been beautifully landscaped and there are loads of tables and space to have a picnic also because the grounds are so big the place never seems over crowded and you can find a tranquil spot to sit and enjoy the sun. A brilliant find which I can't recommend highly enough for a visit.

Trieu L.

500 acres of amazing park space with unique and wonderful sculptures. The park really captures art, imagination and creativity within its natural glory. I really like how the park is set. You can almost see the end of the park from the car park area near the main entrance. I like that there is a huge lake sitting in the middle and the sculptures are places perfectly, giving surprises at every turn turn of the corner. The services and staff are amazing efficient and very friendly. The cafes serves a nice brunch menu, and with an amazing viewing platform, you cannot really ask for a better place to have lunch or even a picnic if weather permits. I see many people walking their dogs or taking their kids here. This park really has it all, amazing views, plenty of space and fresh air, education and art, and brilliant staff and great for lunches. Really had a good time and will definite come back. Parking is £8 all day, you will need it if you want to explore everything. They have many facilities, catering for all. For example if you don't want to walk, there is a shuttle buse to take you there.

Photo taken from official site
Susan M.

Not strictly in Leeds but just a short bus ride away, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park is a fantastic place to spend a day. I used to live here when the Palladian mansion at the heart of the estate was a University of Leeds campus, and can vouch from experience that the 500 acres of woodland, parkland and gardens where the park is set have a beautiful atmosphere throughout the year. The sculpture park consists of four indoor galleries and a variety of trails and walks that take in the 100+ works situated outside across the estate. There are works from well known local artists like Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth, and a wide selection of permanent and temporary exhibits which utilise the natural setting to varying degrees of success. It's a great place to just wander around and see what you can spot - look out for a typically Anthony Gormley human figure hiding up a tree, and ruins in the woods which may or may not be art. There's also a restaurant - overpriced but tasty - a gift shop and conferencing facilities.

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Review Highlights - Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Then out of the blue you will stumble across a sculpture that sits beautifully into the landscape.

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Hemsworth Water Park & Playworld - From official website

Hemsworth Water Park & Playworld

3.8(5 reviews)
8.7 mi

I'm doing it again; I must get to the water. I am a Gremlin. I need to multiply and water is my…read moresavour. In that case I could do a lot worse than Hemsworth Water Park and Play World. Now this badger has two lakes; the largest lake is available for pedalo rides and has sandy beaches; the smallest lake is in a more secluded area to attract wildlife. It's perfect if you want to do a Freddie Flintoff and fool around for a while. It's also ideal to see some great things of interest in this beautiful world we have around us. I'm going all John Lennon on you now. You've also got loads of grassed areas and picnics are no problem either (except the fact it's always freezing and wet in England). Then throw in the Play World bit. This is where I need to fall back and remind myself that I'm not a child any more. For "real" kids though it's got with a tower slide, climbing frames, a toddler's sandpit area and a miniature railway. Toot toot. Once again I've found you a corking day out with a difference but do check what is open if you go before the Easter holidays. You have been warned.

I find myself in something of a quandary. I value the provision of these islands of nature greatly…read moreand will always defend them from the encroaching urban sprawl but I find that I cannot get very excited about Hemsworth Water Park, Nice enough lakes and the ducks were very duck-like, the grass was probably just as green as any other park and the children's play area as clean and well maintained as the best of them but the other play area which is rather grandly called Playworld was locked up thereby saving us a few quid for an experience we could get for free in any half decent public park. I left with the feeling that I had wasted fuel driving to Hemsworth as there are better parks much nearer to where I live.

Pugney's Country Park

Pugney's Country Park

4.1(7 reviews)
3.8 mi

What a great find!…read more Pugney's is just off Jn 39 on the M1 and it has a big lake where you can hire canoes, kayaks, dinghies, windsurfers and even pedaloes. Around the outside of the lake you can take a small train ride (for the younger children), there is an activity park (no swings and slides though) and even places built specifically for bird watching. Today I went on a pedalo with my two children. It only cost £6 for the three of us and it gave my legs some much needed exercise having to do the pedalling for all three of us! Afterwards my eldest went on a kayak (only £3.70), he had never been on one by himself before but he quickly picked it up and really enjoyed himself. The cafe sells paninis, jacket potatoes and sandwiches all at reasonable prices and there are two ice-cream vans ouside. There are also benches outside for people who want to bring their own food. The best thing of all is that there is no gift shop so my children can't pester me to buy them something! Pugney's is overlooked by Sandal Castle and this is only about three minutes drive away and well worth a visit afterwards!

My main memory of Pugney's country park is of dropping my Thornton's turkish delight bar in there…read morewhen I was about eleven, and being grudging and outraged for the rest of the walk. I suppose that wasn't 'Puggy's' fault! In spite of that, it's an attractive local spot and attracts all the water sports enthusiasts and a horde of waterfowl, is a nice spot for a walk and handy for Sandal Castle. (Also known as the spot where the Grand Old Duke of York marched his ten thousand men, up, down and half-way). It is however a bit short of public conveniences and eateries, which might increase tourism in the spot. Just a thought!

Thornes Park - The train at Wakefield park! 50p a ride and all for the mayor's fund!

Thornes Park

4.0(2 reviews)
4.1 mi

Loads to do at this park, which ever end of it you go into! If you're near the sports centre,…read morethere's a big playground for kids, and a little one for the really young uns! And in the summer there is an excellent little railway. I took my boy on it back in September - think I enjoyed it more though haha! At the other end, there's a duck pond, pitch and put, a putting green, tennis courts, and gardens. And there's grass - loads of grass places to picnic etc! There's also a nice little cafe and a pub hidden away in there somewhere too! In the summer, they have a music festival with real ales etc. and this year Dodgy headlined the Saturday, which was pretty cool!

A great park right in the centre of Wakefield. There are so many things you can do at Thornes Park…read more- from feeding the ducks to playing pitch and putt or tennis! There's also a nice childrens' play area and a lovely rose garden, but I think the best thing really is the amount of grassy space to just have a picnic or play football or rounders. Part of the park is also used to host Wakefield's music festival every year, which showcases a host of local bands playing every type of music - from heavy metal to folk! This festival is certainly worth attending as every year it gets better and better, but the park's worth visiting at any time of the year. It's quite large but there's good access, with at least two car parks (and there are pubs nearby if you get thirsty!)

Ponderosa Therapeutic Centre

Ponderosa Therapeutic Centre

4.2(11 reviews)
7.1 mi

Getting drunk and falling over can be fun. Drinking enough coffee to stay awake for a decade can…read morealso be fun. Sometimes though I need more in my life. Unfortunately Johnny Depp doesn't see it that way so I turn to something else extremely cute instead; animals. There are plenty of places in Leeds where you can get up close and personal (not too personal mind, there is a name for people like that) with various creatures of the animal kingdom and Ponderosa serves as a great example of that. What's also immense about this place are the facilities offered to disabled and able bodied children alike. Indeed, it did start off as a place to help disabled children and has grown to open it's doors to all. You'll get to see allsorts of animals. You'll even get to see llamas and an emu. How cool is that and no Orville or that silly man who sticks his hand up puppets for a living, in sight. You'll also get a chance to see pigs, peacocks, highland cows, goats, horses, donkeys and birds of prey. It's a cracking day out Wallace and one I highly recommend. Just remember to take a kid with you or you may look a bit daft like me.

Ponderosa Farm, I was delighted when a friends took me to this little gem hidden away in…read moreHeckmondwike West Yorkshire. I couldn't believe the huge range of animals they have far better than anything similar I have visited in the past. This place is really child friendly with so much for them to see. We bought a bag of feed for 50p to feed the farm animals and it was a lovely experience seeing the animals so close. The farm animal include pigs, goats and sheep as well as rabbits. But whats great about Pondarose is all other animals they keep. There were birds of prey which included a beautiful Kestrel. Also Meerkats which were just having there feed when we saw them first which happened to be baby chicks which I found a bit gross and perhaps might have been a bit upsetting for children to see but when we went back later they were playing around and were very cute I would have loved to have taken one home. There was also a reptile house which we went to. I was slightly surprised they as we walk through part of the house in the tropical plants was what appeared to be sum kind of large lizards just wondering about which did make me feel slightly uneasy but I just stayed where it was and I am a bit of wimp. They had a snake out with a handler in one room and I was too scared to go in but its a great way to get kids interested in animals we saw them handling lots of animals so its great fun as well as they learning lots too they staff we were friendly and seem to enjoying sharing all there knowledge about the animals with everyone. Also whats great is dotted around the site are many different play area's for the children with tonnes of climbing frames and slides for them. There is a coffee shop serving cold sandwiches, toasted sandwiches, ice cream & refreshments. Disabled access. As well as plenty of picnic areas. there are toilets and a nice little gift shop. There is so much to do make sure you allow yourself enough time to see everything. I recommend going on a dry day to get the most out of Pondarose. Open from 10am - 4pm 7 days a week Monday through Sunday. We are open all year round only closing for Christmas and New Year. (Dates are confirmed nearer the time). Admission 4.00 pounds adults 3.50 children under 2's are free From Manchester: Come off the M62 at Junction 26 - turn right onto the A638 - Follow this road through Cleckheaton - Turn right at the clock tower in Heckmondwike centre. The centre is sign posted on the right. Turn down Station lane, under the railway bridge, past Al Murad tiles and we are the next left turn. From Leeds: Turn off M62 at Junction 27 (Showcase Cinema) and pick up the A62 towards Huddersfield. Through 6 sets of light and turn left into Heckmondwike centre - then turn right at the clock tower in Heckmondwike centre. The centre is sign posted on the right. Turn down Station lane, under the railway bridge, past Al Murad tiles and we are the next left turn

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Ponderosa Therapeutic Centre - From official website

From official website

Ponderosa Therapeutic Centre
Ponderosa Therapeutic Centre

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Yorkshire Sculpture Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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