Yorkshire Sculpture Park Wakefield

UK Museums: Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Jake Davies

Yorkshire Sculpture Park near Wakefield was the first sculpture park in the UK and the largest in all of Europe.

Set among the parklands, woods, gardens, pastures, and buildings of the 500 acre country estate of Bretton Hall, the massive collection of modern sculptures is world-class.

It features the most important sculptors from the UK and the world. For anyone with an interest in modern sculpture, then YSP is a must visit destination and well worth traveling to from any distance.

Henry Moore

Yorkshire is the birthplace of arguably the two greatest British sculptors of the twentieth century; Henry Moore (1898-1986), and Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975).

It is thus fitting that it is the home to a major public sculpture collection.

Unsurprisingly both artists work is well represented here, in fact the collection of outdoor bronzes by Moore is among the largest in Europe.

He was very much in favour of his larger pieces being placed within the landscape as they are here.

Barbara Hepworth

Barbara Hepworth was born nearby in Wakefield, and on display here are many of her pieces. In Wakefield itself there is the Hepworth Wakefield where much more of her work can be seen, and also her former home and studio in St. Ives, Cornwall is yet another museum dedicated to her work.

Several new galleries have been built at Yorkshire Sculpture Park. — Several new galleries have been built at Yorkshire Sculpture Park to show works indoors, including underground spaces

Exhibits

Some of the sculptures on display have been created specifically for the site, part of the artist in residence programme, and some are on temporary loan. There are always at least 80 pieces on display at any one time.

Among the other prominent British artists are works by Anthony Caro, who started as an assistant for Henry Moore, David Nash, who has done several residences here, also has multiple installations throughout the park.

The park includes landscaped gardens as settings for art. — Yorkshire Sculpture Park includes landscaped gardens as settings for art

Other featured artists include Elisabeth Frink, Eduardo Paolozzi, William Turnbull, Andy Goldsworthy, and so on. Until 2022 a series of large-scale works by Damien Hirst are on display.

International artists from every corner of the globe are also well represented. The works by French artist Niki de Saint Phalle and Italian Marialuisa Tadei are noteworthy for their colorfulness.

Also from Europe are Jaume Plensa from Spain and Giuseppe Penone from Italy.

American sculpture is represented by, among others, Ursula von Rydingsvard, James Turrel, Jonathan Borofsky, and Sol Lewitt. From the Far East, Ai Weiwei from China and Kimsooja from Korea are among those exhibited.

Longside Gallery

While the outdoors is ideal for large, monumental pieces in bronze, stone, and steel, smaller, less weatherproof works can be viewed in the many interior gallery spaces in the park.

Several of the original structures of the estate like a chapel and a greenhouse have been converted into interior galleries, and the new Longside Gallery is built underground so as not to intrude on the landscape.

As well as the permanent outdoor display, the YSP also puts on temporary exhibitions, which in the past have tended to be devoted to individual artists. A wide range of other events are also regularly scheduled including talks, presentations, and workshops by visiting artists and artists in residence.

Bridge over the River Dearne which flows through the grounds. — Bridge over the River Dearne which flows through the grounds of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Bretton Estate

The Bretton estate has been in existence since the 14th century, and the oldest part of the current Bretton Hall dates back to the early 18th century.

The parkland, gardens, and lakes formed by damming the Dearne River date back to the early 19th century.

Part of the estate not included in the Yorkshire Sculpture Park is Bretton Country Park, a nature reserve. From 1949 to 2001 the hall housed Bretton Hall College, and from 2001 until 2007 a campus of the University of Leeds.

There are now two visitor centres, both with eating establishments, and one with a huge shop selling a wide variety of products relating to the park and the art.

With 500 acres of country estate with gardens and woodlands to explore as well as all the artwork, it is easy to spend a whole day here.

Bretton Hall viewed from across Bretton Lakes. — Bretton Hall viewed from across Bretton Lakes at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park near Wakefield

Access - Getting There

West Bretton
Wakefield WF43 4LG
Tel: 01924 832631
www: ysp.org.uk

Open 10 am to 5 pm every day except 24-25 December. Entry is 6 GBP for adults, under 18's can enter for free.

There is outdoor coffee bar with takeaway drinks and snacks.

Many of the modern sculptures are set in parkland among trees. — Many of the modern sculptures at Yorkshire Sculpture Park are set in parkland among trees

YSP is located about 7 miles from Wakefield, and less than 20 miles from Leeds. The closest train station is Wakefield Westgate. Buses running between Wakefield and Barnsley stop at the park. Trains from King's Cross Station in London take less than two hours to Wakefield.

The nearest airports are Leeds-Bradford, Doncaster-Sheffield and Manchester International Airport.

By car exit the north-south M1 motorway at Junction 38, take the A637 towards Huddersfield, and follow the Yorkshire Sculpture Park brown heritage signs.