The Hepworth Wakefield

What it’s like

Gallery-inspired art making for kids, from the Art Pod to garden building sessions, with under-18s going in free.

This is an art gallery that actually wants your kids to touch things, or at least make things. There's an Art Pod where they can create work inspired by whatever's on in the galleries, Explore and Draw kits to get them looking properly at the artworks instead of racing past, and a garden set up for stacking, building and general experimenting. It's aimed at the 2 to 12 range mostly, though the site lists activities up to 18, so a moody teenager could genuinely find something here too.

Adults pay £13, concessions £11, and if you book online you save a pound, which is a nice touch for something that isn't exactly pocket change. The good news is under-18s go in free, and so do Wakefield District residents and members, so a family visit can end up costing a lot less than the headline price suggests. Worth knowing the playground is currently closed for redevelopment, which takes a bit of the outdoor draw away for now, though the garden itself is still open for the building and drawing activities.

Food-wise there's a café doing brunch, lunch, cakes and drinks with a proper seasonal menu, and if you'd rather bring your own, packed lunches are allowed either in an indoor picnic area or out in the garden. That flexibility is handy with small children who eat on their own unpredictable schedule.

It's open Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm, but closed Mondays and Fridays outside school holidays, when it switches to opening every day. Toddler Tuesdays bring in early years artists for the very small ones, which is worth timing a visit around if you've got a two or three-year-old who needs more than just looking at sculptures.

Facilities

Need to know

Best for

2 to 12, with activities stretching up to 18 for older kids

Food

Café serves food for children. Local seasonal menu with brunch, lunch, drinks and cakes

Picnics

Packed lunches allowed in indoor picnic area or garden

Parties

Birthday parties available. More details coming soon

Worth knowing

Book online and save £1

• Booking online saves you £1 on the adult and concession price
• Under-18s and Wakefield District residents get in free
• The playground is closed for redevelopment for now, though the garden play activities carry on
• It's closed on Mondays and Fridays outside Wakefield school holidays
• Toddler Tuesdays bring in early years artists, handy if you've got a two or three-year-old

Plan your visit

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