Wakefield's two principal attractions are both contemporary galleries set in older landscapes. The Hepworth Wakefield on the River Calder houses the most substantial public collection of Barbara Hepworth's work anywhere, in a David Chipperfield building that is itself a sculpture. The Yorkshire Sculpture Park just outside town displays large-scale outdoor work — Henry Moore bronzes, Andy Goldsworthy installations, rotating shows — across five hundred acres of parkland.
Wakefield is also one of the oldest market towns in West Yorkshire and rewards a slow walk: the medieval Cathedral, the rare Chantry Chapel on the bridge over the Calder, and the earthwork remains of Sandal Castle — site of one of the famous battles of the Wars of the Roses — are all easy to combine with a gallery visit.