10 Reasons To Visit The Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Guys, have I ever told you how much I adore the Yorkshire Sculpture Park? Well, I do. It’s one of my favourite places on earth. I grew up less than 10 minutes away, my Mum went to uni there when Leeds University had its Bretton College Campus there, and I used to work there during college and university. It’s been a constant source of light in my life and even now, I relish the time I spend there.

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But, even though I think this place is amazing, you guys might not know one thing about it. So, that’s why today, I want to give you all 10 reasons to visit the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Hopefully even one will give you the nudge to go next time you’re in the area…

You Don’t Have To Enjoy Art To Enjoy The Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Think you have to be into fancy sculptures to enjoy the Yorkshire Sculpture Park? Nope, not at all. In fact, you don’t have to know anything about sculpture at all. They’re all just cool to look at. Sure, read deeper into the meaning of each creation if you want to but on a surface level, each piece is just interesting as it is. In fact, some pieces of art aren’t even sculptures, they’re laid in the land so subtly that you might not even notice them.

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There Are Highland Cattle

That’s right, fluffy Highland Coos, in the grounds of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. You walk and wander right past them. They’re wonderful creatures, so be careful not to disturb them but do admire how beautiful they are on your walk.

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You’ll Find Somewhere New Every Time You Go

The Yorkshire Sculpture Park is huge. I’ve been hundreds of times and even I’m still finding new places to see every time I visit. There are several trails across the park and so many nooks and crannies that you’ll want to come back again and again to discover it all.

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They Have Great Food

Home made cakes – try the flapjack and the chocolate caramel slice, they’re AMAZING -,  hot food, Northern Bloc ice cream, yummy sandwiches, there’s some great food here. You could bring a picnic but don’t worry if you don’t. There are two cafes in the park plus a couple of other outlets at Longside and Bretton Park, so you can pick up a snack or meal pretty easily. If it’s a sunny day, you can even get food to take out so you can enjoy that food on the grass.

The Scenery Is Beautiful

There are views over Yorkshire for days at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. There’s the view of Bretton Hall over the stepping stones, and there’s the view of Emley Moor Mast on the walk up to Longside. Even the views in the park are so lovely you’ll feel so calm and at peace while you’re here.

You’ll See World Famous Sculptures

Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore are two of the world’s most well-known sculptors. Their work is dotted all around the park so you’re guaranteed to see at least one piece by these world-renowned artists. Antony Gormley, Andy Goldsworthy, Joan Miro, and David Nash also have work at The Yorkshire Sculpture Park which makes this one of the best places in Europe to see some famous pieces of art.

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It’s Dog Friendly

Got a dog? No worries, bring it along! They’re more than welcome at The Yorkshire Sculpture Park but don’t let them off the lead. No one wants Highland Cattle chasing a dog through the fields!

It’s Easy To Get To

A great reason to visit the Yorkshire Sculpture Park is that it’s super convenient to get to. Situated in between Wakefield and Barnsley and located just off the M1, it’s easy to visit from Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, Huddersfield, and York. If it was in the middle of nowhere, that might put you off from visiting but the fact that it’s in central location that feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere makes it even more appealing.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park Address: West Bretton, Wakefield WF4 4LG

There Are Some Great Walks

Grab a map from the visitor centre and choose which route you want to go on. There are a huge variety ranging from long and hilly, to short and scenic. A lot of which route to go on depends on what you want to see and how long you’ve got. One of my personal favourites is the long walk over to Longside, up the hill to the gallery, then back round the park via the Seventy-One Steps. It’s definitely one you need the walking boots for, and a camera!

It’s Ever Changing

The landscape changes with the seasons and the exhibitions change every few months. That means every time you visit, you’ll have an experience that’s different from the last. Winter is gorgeous when the ground is covered in glittering frost, spring is delightful when the flowers are coming into bloom, summer is amazing when you can wander through the park without the need for a thick coat, and autumn is so special when the leaves start changing and create a golden carpet on the ground as they fall. The outdoor sculptures get moved around the park and the underground gallery gets revamped throughout the year as different artists show their work.

Basically, I could go on and on about why all the reasons to visit the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. But really, you should just go. It’s wonderfully beautiful, it’s peaceful, it’s a breath of fresh air and I hope you love it as much as I do. Have you visited the Yorkshire Sculpture Park before? What did you think?