The Hepworth Wakefield

A small but interesting museum based around the work of Barabara Hepworth. The best bits are the sections on her life, work and tools. I didn't like the temporary exhibition on the work of other artists so much. Nice shop. Also went to the huge annual ceramics fair. That I would really recommend. The museum is quite a brutalist concrete structure but I like the huge windows. The nearby victorian mills and the small garden are lovely. Also some beautiful willow trees.

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A beautiful building and lovely gardens, with views across the river and towards the city. Nice cafe and gift shop. The Chantry Chapel is nearby which is lovely to visit too.

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Shame on me: I had not visited this truly fantastic museum before, despite living less than an hour from it. It is worth visiting just for the building itself. The way the whole lot is perfectly combined with the location, its surroundings, including the river, with a cute garden housing some sculptures, the main bridge to access the museum from the car park, is superb. The curated collection in the museum is simply magnificent. I visited attracted by Helen Chapwick's "Life Pleasures" exhibition, and my high expectations were gladly met: thought provoking, full of unexpected beauty, really original. The shop is well supplied, and the coffee room was quite enjoyable: well attended, with great coffee and a good variety of food. The atmosphere was the best for me, in my opinion: although not empty, it was quiet and I had the chance to go across some of the pieces without waiting for others to leave me room. I guess it helped I went in a school day. There were plenty of lockers to leave your bags should you want to. But I could enter with my small backpack. The toilets, like the rest of the museum, were very clean, and all working well. The only negative remark is the car park: my sat nav did not give me the right directions, and I found the sign directions were not totally clear? It cost £4 for the full day. Considering that the ticket to the museum was free (as a resident in Wakefield district), I do not think it is fair to complain.

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What a stunning hidden gem! We honestly didn’t realise The Hepworth Wakefield has been here since 2011 — and it’s literally so close to us! The building itself is beautiful, modern and full of character, and the whole space is very calm and inspiring. Today we also discovered the Elizabeth Fritsch – “Otherworldly Vessels” exhibition, and it was absolutely fascinating — so different, unusual and artistic in a very unexpected way. The museum is well organised, staff are friendly, and there’s a lovely riverside café to relax afterwards. Perfect weekend spot for anyone who enjoys art, culture and discovering something new. Highly recommend — Wakefield is definitely more arty than I thought! 🎨👏

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