Yorkshire Sculpture Park is a brilliant family day out in West Yorkshire, just a short drive from Leeds and Wakefield. Set in over 500 acres of beautiful parkland, it’s packed with striking sculptures, woodland trails, and open space to explore. There’s plenty to spark kids’ imaginations, and it’s easy to spend a full day adventuring here.
Opening Times and Tickets:
In the Spring and Summer, Yorkshire Sculpture Park is open every day from 10am till 6pm.
18s and under go free, as do a selection of other people such as MAX card holders and those on Universal Credit. Discounts are also offered to people 25 and under, as well as those in full time education.
Click here to find out more about opening times and ticket prices.
Parking and Travelling:
There is a large, free car park at Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
The bus service 96 from Wakefield to Barnsley stops at YSP.
Wakefield Westgate Station is the closest station to YSP, and is about a 15 minute drive and around £10 in a taxi.
Prams and Accessibility:
We took a pram and had no problem on most of the paths or even over the grass. Only in some places was the ground quite hilly and was tough to push the pram over, but this could be avoided by sticking to the paths. The grass could also be trickier to travel over in bad weather.
Four off-road mobility scooters are available to hire free of charge. There are blue badge parking spots at both entrances to Yorkshire Sculpture Park. There are several accessible toilets across the park, which all have baby changing facilities too.
Things to do at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
1. See the sculptures
One of the highlights of visiting Yorkshire Sculpture Park is the incredible variety of sculptures on display, with works from many different artists spread throughout the landscape. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from bold abstract iron pieces to more interactive installations, like a towering spire with an infinite mirror inside that you can step into. Each turn reveals something new and unexpected, making the experience exciting for kids and adults alike.
2. Explore the parkland
As well as the incredible sculptures, Yorkshire Sculpture Park offers acres of open fields perfect for wandering, playing, and letting off steam. Nature lovers will enjoy spotting wildlife in the meadows and along the river, and there are plenty of scenic spots to stop for a picnic and take it all in.
3. Events
From sensory baby play to outdoor sculpture building for kids, there are tons of events always happening at Yorkshire Sculpture park. For a full list of events, click here.
Things to do nearby with kids
1. Wentworth Castle and Gardens
This National Trust property in South Yorkshire is a fantastic spot for families to explore together. There are lots of things for little ones to spot, from statues and follies to wildlife and winding trails, so you can easily spend several happy hours there without running out of adventures. Whether you’re packing a picnic or just fancy a wander, it’s a day out that offers something for everyone.
Cannon Hall Farm, located in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, is a working farm with a massive variety of activities to keep the kids entertained. With hundreds of animals, multiple adventure playgrounds, activities and events, you could easily spend all day here.
Don’t miss Cannon Hall Museum and gardens too, which are separate from the farm and have free admission.
3. Barnsley Metrodome Waterpark
4. Whistlestop Valley (Steam trains)