Planning to get out for a family day out can be hard enough without having to think about what will be fun for all members of the family and then paying for it. So we have listed our Top 5 FREE things to do in Wakefield, Castleford and Pontefract for your family
1) A walk around Pugneys Country Park (WF2 7EQ). It is suitable for prams and children’s bikes and is not too far for small children to walk the circular 1.5 mile circular route. There’s the bonus of a miniature railway ride (charges apply) and a fab playground! Make it longer by taking a walk up to Sandal Castle and looking out at the whole city!
A quick trip off the main track will take you to one of the smaller quietr lakes with a bird watchign hut. Take you binoculars and see if you can spot a Heron.
2) Follow the Room on the Broom trail at Anglers Country Park (WF4 2EB). The lake was once the deepest opencast mine in the UK! At the visitor’s centre you can hire bikes for the whole family including bike trailers for the tiniest!
This is a slightly bigger route than Pugneys country park, so bigger kids might prefer this for bike rides. Parts of the play area is suited for older children too with some more challenging climbs and high ropes.
3) The Hepworth Gallery (WF1 5AW) is a great place for families with a family centred café, a playground and lots of free weekly craft and art activities. Visit the Explore & Draw Stations and create your own artworks as you explore the galleries.
Residents of Wakefield district can visit for free, the Free Town Bus stops here for those that are travelling on public transport or trains.
4) Visit Wakefield (WF1 2DD), Pontefract (WF8 1BA) or Castleford Museum (WF10 1BB). Stand on the back of a fierce caiman in Wakefield, view a unique & special Iron Age chariot in Castleford and find out about liquorice in Pontefract! Every Saturday they all have family craft sessions between 11am and 3pm.
Kids love exploring museums, although they might not want to read every piece of information, they will love seeing what is behind each corner and wall.
5) Learn about the history of coal mining & the science behind it at National Coal Mining Museum (WF4 4RH). You can travel 140m underground with a past local miner to explore England’s last deep coalmine (charge applies). See the pit ponies, run around the new adventure playground, check out the indoor soft play and take a walk around the beautiful countryside on the nature trail!
The National Coal Mining Museum do regular events in the holidays, you can spend the full day with the children being engaged and excited. And most importantly for most parents….tiring them out.
We hope you love our Top 5 FREE things to do in Wakefield area article. We love to see photos of you exploring the different parks, attractions and events in Wakefield, Castleford and Pontefract. Please join us on our Wakefield Mumbler Facebook Group and share your pictures and tell us where you have been.