Enjoy West Yorkshire: A 48-hour Itinerary
When it comes to exploring West Yorkshire, there’s so much to discover you may wonder where to start. With award winning museums and galleries, world-class architecture, heritage and stunning landscapes, enjoy great experiences and create memories that will last a lifetime.
This two-day itinerary will help you take full advantage of your time whilst ticking off some of the ‘must visit’ places, along with foodie suggestions where you can take some time out and relax with some of Yorkshire’s renowned hospitality. We hope this will be the start of your West Yorkshire adventure, which we’re sure will leave you wanting to come back for more.
DAY 1
MORNING: HALIFAX
THE PIECE HALL
Address: Blackledge, HX1 1RE
Visit Time: A very leisurely 2 hours.
Admission: Free
The Grade I listed Piece Hall is the only remaining Georgian Cloth Hall in the world. Built in 1779 for the trading of ‘pieces’ of cloth (a 30 yard length of woven woollen fabric produced on a handloom), the Piece Hall is now a treasure trove of boutique and unique shops, independent cafes, bars and restaurants. Its magnificent courtyard hosts a huge array of events, from contemporary music concerts, to impressive site-specific performances, circus spectacle, street theatre and major televised events including the Tour de Yorkshire and the BBC’s Antiques Road Show.
LUNCH SUGGESTION: HALIFAX BOROUGH MARKET
Address: Market Street, Halifax , West Yorkshire, HX1 1DU
This splendid Grade II* listed Victorian market hall has been voted the best in Britain. Come and enjoy the hustle, bustle and traditional splendour of a thriving retail market with a warm and friendly atmosphere and eat your way around the world with delicious food and drink! Choose from traditional fayre such as the three market cafe with their daily special offers, Pie and Peas, Thai, Mexican, Vietnamese and Italian. Go on, have a cake from the bakers, too!
Rail Transfer: Approximately 15 minutes between Halifax and Bradford Interchange.
AFTERNOON: BRADFORD
CARTWRIGHT HALL ART GALLERY
Address: Lister Park, Bradford, BD9 4NS
Visit time: 2 hours
Admission: Free
Cartwright Hall was purpose built on the former site of Manningham Hall and opened as a gallery in 1904. It is locating in the beautiful Green-Flag awarded Lister Park, about a mile from Bradford City Centre. Lister Park has a boating lake, adventure playground and features the Mughal Gardens.
It offers an exciting programme of exhibitions, alongside permanent galleries such as the ‘Hockney Gallery’ , dedicated to the work of Bradford born artist David Hockney.
AFTERNOON TEA SUGGESTION: CAKE ‘OLE
Address: City Park, BD1 1LA
If you’re ready for a cuppa and a slice of cake there is nowhere better than Cake ‘ole on City Park. This quirky and kitsch café specialises in serving up eye-catching, colourful, creative and imaginative combinations of food and drink.
Signature dishes are the cakes that they create every day – everything from Mars cake, Banana and Nutella cake to Victoria sponges with extravagance. You’ll also find decadent milkshakes and savoury treats.
With its unique décor and ideal location, with a perfect view of the fountains of City Park, nothing will perk you up like a trip to the colourful Cake ‘ole!
DAY 2
Rail Transfer: Approximately 20 minutes between Bradford Interchange and Leeds. Stop off at Kirkstall Forge or Headingley train station to visit Kirkstall Abbey.
MORNING: LEEDS
KIRKSTALL ABBEY
Address: Abbey Road, Kirkstall, LS5 3EH
Admission: Free
Visit Time: 1.5 – 2 hours
Explore one of the most complete examples of a medieval Cistercian abbey in Britain, which was founded over 800 years ago. With its dramatic architecture and magnificent ruins, visitors can discover more about the lives of the 12th century monks who once lived there. Set in wonderful parkland along the banks of the River Aire, Kirkstall Abbey is a great place to play, enjoy a picnic and explore all year round.
LUNCH SUGGESTION: TRINITY KITCHEN
Address: Trinity Centre, Albion Street, LS1 5ER
Offering a dining concept that is completely unique, Trinity Kitchen is home to some of the best street food experiences in Leeds. Trinity Kitchen rotates six new street food vans every eight weeks alongside a great selection of permanent eateries, offering visitors the chance to experience various flavours and cuisines under one roof.
Rail Transfer: 15 minutes between Leeds and Wakefield Westgate.
AFTERNOON
THE HEPWORTH WAKEFIELD
Address: Gallery Walk, Wakefield, WF1 5AW
Visit Time: Approximately 2 hours
Admission: £12 / Free entry for Members, Wakefield District residents & under 16s
Get your culture fix at award-winning art gallery The Hepworth Wakefield, named after Wakefield-born Barbara Hepworth, one of the 20th century’s most important artists. Set within Wakefield’s historic waterfront overlooking the River Calder, the gallery and its garden host major exhibitions of the best international, modern and contemporary art and has dedicated spaces exploring Hepworth’s art and working process. It is also home to Wakefield’s art collection – an impressive compendium of modern British art, including works by Ben Nicholson, Patrick Heron, L.S. Lowry and Henry Moore.
DINNER SUGGESTION: IRIS
Address: 12 The Bullring, WF1 1HA
Iris is a vibrant British restaurant located in the heart of Wakefield City Centre, close to the Cathedral and the Bull Ring fountains. Set up by Chef Liam Duffy in 2012 following a period of work in some of the country’s top Michelin starred establishments, Iris creates modern British cuisine to excite everybody’s taste buds with a relaxed dining experience using modern cooking techniques and sourcing local seasonal produce of the highest quality to create a unique menu.
ACCOMODATION
You’ll need somewhere to stay whilst you’re here, check out the accommodation options in West Yorkshire below.
