Go Back
Wakefield Cathedral: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wakefield_-_Cathedral.jpgAuthor: Mike Kirby
Wakefield is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. It covers 338.6 sq km (130.7 sq mi) and has a population of 326,000 people (2012 estimate). The administrative center is at Wakefield, which other towns within the metropolitan borough include Normanton, Pontefract, Featherstone, Castleford and Knottingley.
Wakefield is located on the River Calder, on the eastern edge of the Pennines. The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, as evidence by recovery of flint and stone tools in the area. The earliest inhabitants were believed to the the Brigantes, a Celtic tribe.
Ancient Romans occupied the Wakefield area in AD 43. After the departure of the Romans, the area was settled by the Angles in the 5th century and by Vikings after AD 867. By the 11th century, there was a permanent settlement here. The settlement suffered retaliation by William the Conqueror in 1069 for resisting Norman rule.
Wakefield Bridge and Chantry Chapel, Wakefield: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wakefield_Bridge_and_the_Chantry_Chapel_-_geograph.org.uk_-_281864.jpgAuthor: RichTea
By the 15th century, Wakefield has grown into an inland port. When the Industrial Revolution arrived in the 19th century, Wakefield had prospered from its trade in wool, corn and tanning. A number of navigation canals were built during this period, as the town became a trading hub for produce from the surrounding region.
The industries that supported Wakefield's economy sustained themselves to the turn of the 20th century, and from then on began a gradual decline. By the mid 1970s, many of the city's textile factories were closing. The start of the new millennium brought redevelopment to Wakefield. Among the projects included Trinity Walk, a retail and commercial development to the northeast of the city center.
Wakefield Bridge and Chantry Chapel, Wakefield: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Heath_Hall,_Wakefield_-_geograph.org.uk_-_356395.jpgAuthor: Ian Russell
Visiting Wakefield
Take the M1 motorway and turn off at Junction 40. Head east on A638 to reach Wakefield.Places of Interest in Wakefield
- Nostell Priory: Palladian-style house in Crofton, near Wakefield.
- Pontefract Castle: Castle first built by Ilbert de Lacy in 1070.
- Sandal Castle: Ruined medieval castle in Sandal Magna, a suburb of Wakefield. Open Summer - Mon-Sun 11:00 am - 4:30 pm, Winter Sat & Sun only - 11:00 am - 4:00 pm.
- Wakefield Cathedral: Formally known as the Cathedral Church of All Saints Wakefield, it dates back to the 14th century.
Wakefield is 
on the Map of cities in England
Latest updates on Penang Travel Tips
Map of Ceremonial Counties of England
About this website
Dear visitor, thank you so much for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye and my hobby is to find out about places, write about them and share the information with you on this website. I have been writing this site since 5 January 2003. Originally (from 2003 until 2009, the site was called AsiaExplorers. I changed the name to Penang Travel Tips in 2009, even though I describe more than just Penang but everywhere I go (I often need to tell people that "Penang Travel Tips" is not just information about Penang, but information written in Penang), especially places in Malaysia and Singapore, and in all the years since 2003, I have described over 20,000 places.
While I try my best to provide you information as accurate as I can get it to be, I do apologize for any errors and for outdated information which I am unaware. Nevertheless, I hope that what I have described here will be useful to you.
Copyright © 2003-2025 Timothy Tye. All Rights Reserved.