Wakefield, just south of Leeds in West Yorkshire, is a cathedral city known for its fascinating history, iconic art and sculptures and varied surrounding countryside. Wakefield has inspired artists for many hundreds of years and you can see much of this work in award-winning attractions such as the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and the Hepworth Wakefield. Previously a coal mining town, find out about the history and importance of coal production in England and experience the life of a coal miner at the National Coal Mining Museum. Find out how mining tools and machinery have evolved over 200 years and hear from real-life miners as they tell their stories of working in the mines and the hardships they faced. Close to Wakefield are many great day trips and historical places of interest such as the Roman settlement at Lagentium (now called Castleford), Pontefract Castle and the National Trust's Nostell Priory and Parkland. Wakefield has a huge array of restaurants and cafes and great places to stay and is also the proud host to the Annual Rhubarb Fesitval.
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