Top 10 things to do in West Yorkshire

By Beverley Addy

Discover Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Yorkshire Sculpture Park is an international centre for modern and contemporary art and shouldn’t be missed. Enjoy fascinating exhibitions throughout four stunning galleries. Visitors can get up close and personal in a way that’s never normally possible with sculpture, whilst enjoying the outdoors. It is a very special experience indeed and is enjoyed by thousands of visitors every year.

Walk the Moors

If you’ve never been to West Yorkshire the moors are a must see, flanking the area around Huddersfield, Calderdale and Bradford. Beautiful and a little wild you can opt for a casual stroll with many points accessible by car or train or plan a major hike with lots of cosy spots to break your walk.

Learn about local history

The National Coal Mining Museum at the former Hope Colliery is testament to one of the area’s key industries now all but a memory. Being able to get into the cage and go underground is a must for all ages.

Ai Weiwei: Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield

Get interactive

The National Science and Media Museum, Bradford, part of the national science museum group, is packed with exciting interactive displays to explore the science and culture of image and sound technologies and the impact they have on our lives.

Grab a Piece of the action

Halifax Piece Hall is one of a kind. Bohemian and independent shops built into two-tiers around the central courtyard are complemented by a packed programme of events in this amazing setting at the heart of the new Halifax Cultural Quarter.

Take in the culture at Saltaire

An UNESCO World Heritage Site, Saltaire provides the best in multi-purpose visitor experiences steeped in history, packed with arts and culture, shopping you won’t find anywhere else and great food.

Keep the kids happy

Not forgetting the youngsters, Eureka! in Halifax makes for a fabulous day out which will blow their minds with all the hands-on activities to explore the world around them. Aimed at under 11s it is right next to the train station.

Visit The Hepworth Wakefield

The Hepworth Wakefield is a relatively new addition to the region’s arts scene but already has huge acclaim winning the national Art Fund museum of the year award in 2017. Its thoroughly modern building hosts phenomenal exhibitions in its Wakefield industrial heritage and riverside setting.

Get spinning

Colne Valley Museum gives a hands-on look at how the textile industry worked for many years. Walk around the original weavers’ cottages in the old part of Golcar where the streets are still cobbled, have a go at spinning and see the looms in action with re-enactors reliving historical incidents such as the Luddite uprising.

The Hepworth Wakefield presents major exhibitions of the best international modern and contemporary art

Go to a festival

It is essential to embrace the West Yorkshire quirky spirit and go to one of the local festivals – from Imbolc and Moonraking to the Rushbearing or Coal Sack Race there’s nothing to beat a great day or night out with the locals when they’re in festival mode. Plan ahead to coincide with one or take what’s on offer. From March to October there’s usually something going on every weekend.

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