Summer Excursions

Two Short Summer Visits – ‘make-your-own-way’.

Due to limited places these are open to members of Wakefield Historical Society only, although they are welcome to bring a family member or friend.

In-person bookings for both events will open at the next lecture meeting on 13 May, with any remaining places available from 9am the following day to the first members to email the Society at info@wakefieldhistoricalsociety.org.uk.

Waterton’s Wall, Waterton Park Hotel, WF2 6PW
Wednesday 24 June

 We will meet in the car park of Waterton Park Hotel (Walton Hall) at 6.30pm on 24 June, where John Whitaker will guide us around the wall built by Charles Waterton to protect his estate and, in effect, create a nature reserve. The walk will conclude with an opportunity for coffee at the hotel, together with a look at some of the remaining features of Walton Hall. Charles Waterton (1782–1865) was an extraordinary man, often regarded as the world’s first environmentalist. His belief in the importance of the natural world was at odds with the prevailing attitudes of the time, when the persecution of wildlife was common. On returning to Walton Hall, he was dismayed by the effects of poaching on his land and, combined with the threat posed by foxes, this led him to create a nature reserve with the protection of wildfowl as a priority. He achieved this by building a wall around his parkland, purchasing stone and employing masons whenever funds allowed.

The walk is limited to the first 15 applicants on a first come, first served basis as set out above.

 

Elizabeth Love Museum, Castle Chain, Pontefract, WF8 1QH
Wednesday 8 July

The second visit will be a guided tour of the Elizabeth Love Museum in Pontefract on the evening of Wednesday 8 July, meeting at 7.15pm in the car park near Pontefract Castle. Elizabeth Love, a member of Pontefract Historical Society, developed a significant collection of historic artefacts and decorative objects over many years, working closely with her brother Joe. She later left her house at Castle Chain and its contents in trust, together with a sum of money, so that the collection could be preserved and opened to the public as a museum.

The visit will be limited to 16 members, in two groups of eight, on a first come, first served basis. A donation of £8 per person is payable to the Museum. For both visits, members are asked to make their own way to the venues, but if you require a lift, please let us know when booking.

The excursions below are provided in conjunction with Wakefield Civic Society and are only open to members of either Society and their guests.

Update on 30 June:

 

We are pleased to be able to offer members a varied and exciting programme of summer excursions and visits. The programme is planned in partnership with Wakefield Civic Society but the Civic Society is the lead organiser and is responsible for the delivery of the programme. We are grateful to the volunteers from the Civic Society who plan these excellent excursions. 

To book and for more information please email: info@wakefieldcivicsociety.org.uk

Information from Wakefield Civic Society about this year’s excursions follows.

Update on 4th April:
A new excursion has now been added, to Pickering on 5th August.
The excursions on 21st May to Platform 66 at Stamford Bridge and Sledmere and on 23rd July to White Peak is now fully booked, but you may still be able to add your name to a waiting list in case there are cancellations.

We can now provide initial information about our coach excursions for the coming year. (We are still working on a coach excursion for August.)

Thank you to our small team of volunteers who have helped with the organisation and planning of the programme. Once again, we have put together what we hope will be an interesting and varied programme that will offer something to appeal to everyone.

If you have been on our excursions before, you will know how enjoyable they are. Things are taken at a relaxed pace with plenty of opportunities to relax in between the more active parts of the intineraries.

As ever, we encourage you to book early to secure your place(s) and not to leave it until the last minute to book. We realise that your plans might change so, if, having booked, you find that you cannot attend for any reason, we ask that you let us know as soon as possible as we may be able to organise a refund, at least in part, if we can re-sell your place. (Where we have had to pay money out to venues in advance, a refund might not be possible unless we can resell your place.)

All bookings will be acknowledged by email or telephone – so do make sure we have your contact details when you book. We strongly encourage you to book and pay on-line: if you are paying by bank transfer or via our on-line shop, you do not need to complete a booking form but please do email me to let me know you have booked (info@wakefieldcivicsociety.org.uk).

You can, of course, pay by cheque but please be aware that sending bookings to us via post can lead to a delay in us processing your booking. This is because our post, delivered to the Town Hall, has to go through the Council’s internal distribution channels and it can take a day or two to reach us. To let me know you are sending a booking, please drop me an email when you post your booking to us. You can either use the booking form provided or just attach a note.

Some of our excursions include refreshments in the price. We will contact you when you book to check for any allergies or other dietary requirements.

One final point: while we will always try to deliver the programme advertised, we reserve the right to make late changes to itineraries.

Fuel Prices

Members will be aware of what is happening in the Middle East and the impact this is having on fuel supplies and prices. At the time of writing, we cannot predict when the situation will be resolved or what the longer-term impact will be on inflation. We will keep our excursion prices under review. It’s possible that we may have to increase prices between now and the date of the excursion. However, we will do our best to honour bookings at the price paid – so book now to ‘lock in’ the price and we will absorb any increase (within reason!). If we need to increase prices, we will let members know and any bookings received after that will only be accepted at the new price.

Kevin Trickett MBE,
President,
26th March 2026

Coach Excursions

All our Coach Excursions will depart from the turning circle in front of Wakefield Bus Station on Providence Street/Borough Road. Please check the departure time for each tour. And book early to assure your seat! Coach excursions usually arrive back in Wakefield at around 7pm.

1. Thursday 21 May 2026: Platform 66 at Stamford Bridge and Sledmere House

Now fully booked

Leaving Wakefield at 9am

Our first excursion of the year takes us to North and East Yorkshire. Our first stop is Stamford Bridge to learn from their Heritage Centre about the town’s local history and famous battle of 1066. From there, we travel to the East Yorkshire Wolds village of Sledmere to see the Wagoners’ Memorial and Sledmere Cross and on to Sledmere House for the remainder of the day.

We begin the day with a private visit and refreshments at Platform 66 Heritage Centre at the Old Station in Stamford Bridge (see here – scroll down). In 1066, Stamford Bridge was the site of the battle between the armies of King Harold and the Viking King Hardrada. After defeating the Vikings, King Harold and his soldiers moved swiftly south, to face the French invasion. Taking inspiration from the Bayeux tapestry, the local community have painstakingly made the Stamford Bridge Tapestry to tell the story. This fascinating Yorkshire tapestry is displayed in glass cabinets at the Heritage Centre, along with a pictorial timeline of village life from the Roman period to present day. There is also information detailing the coming of the local railway and the impressive viaduct that crosses the nearby river.

We will then drive to Sledmere in East Yorkshire for a short stop at the Grade I listed Wagoners’ Memorial and Sledmere Cross. Both were commissioned by the Sykes family to act as permanent war memorials to the local people lost in the First World War. At Sledmere, where we will arrive around noon, we shall have approximately 90 minutes free time.

Sledmere House has been the home of Sykes family for the past 250 years. Originally built by Sir Christopher Sykes between 1780-1790, it suffered a terrible fire in 1911 and, after restoration, now reflects the styles of both the Georgian ages in which the work took place. It is a beautiful, large, country house, full of unique collections of artwork, furniture and antiques. It is in a delightful setting, surrounded by gardens and parkland. We will meet at the ticket office at 1:30pm and go to the Courtyard Room, where we have a private booking, for hot drinks and an overview of the property. Our pre-arranged private guided tour of the House will start at 1.45pm and will last for an hour and a quarter.

Our entry ticket includes the refreshments on arrival, access to the House and private tour. We will also have access to the Parkland, Gardens and 18th century Walled Garden, Rare Breed Farm Park, Stable Block and Sledmere Shire Horses and Adventure Play Area.

Refreshments: The Coach House café is open until 3.30pm. Across the road, The Farm Shop is open until 5pm and houses a small café and takeaway. The Woodyard – a home, gift and garden store – is near the Farm Shop. A short distance from the House is the Triton Inn. Advance booking for lunch at the inn is recommended.

We will leave at 5pm.

Cost: Admission to Platform 66 is free, though donations for refreshments are welcomed.
Total cost payable on booking: £44 to include admission to Sledmere House and the coach. Please note that, as this is a group tour, there is no discount for members of Historic Houses, etc.

Accessibility – level access to all ground floor rooms in the House and 2 steps into the Chapel. No accessible access to the first and second floor but a digital gallery of images has been produced for those unable to manage the stairs. The Farm Shop and café are fully accessible. There are 2 manual wheelchairs but must be booked in advance. The Courtyard Room has its own lift.

2. Wednesday 24th June 2026: Kiplin Hall and Richmond

Leaving Wakefield at 9am,

We will drive first to Kiplin Hall, near Richmond in North Yorkshire. Kiplin Hall was built in the 1620’s for George Calvert founder of Maryland, USA. We expect to arrive at around 10:15 to 10:30am. On arrival, we shall have light refreshments before a guided tour of the Hall at 11am. (Please note that free admission is not offered to Historic Houses members as we are entering as part of a group.) The tour is expected to take an hour and a half after which we shall have two hours to take lunch in the café and explore the gardens and woodlands.

At 2:30pm, we will depart for Richmond town centre where we have booked a tour of the Green Howards Museum with refreshments.

We shall leave Richmond at 5pm for the journey back to Wakefield.

Total cost payable on booking: £57 per person for coach, admissions and refreshments as described.
Accessibility – Please note that there is no lift to the first floor at Kiplin House.

3. Thursday, 23rd July 2026: The White Peak Derbyshire: Visiting Eyam, Ashbourne, and Tissington Hall.

Now fully booked

Leaving Wakefield at 9.00am.

After leaving Wakefield, our first stop will be Eyam Tea Rooms for a selection of tea/coffee and cakes. The village is originally Saxon with its lead industry. However, it is famous as the Plague Village 1665-1666. The villagers were infected by the plague because of infested cloth from London. Led by The Reverend William Mompesson, they isolated themselves for 14 months. Of the 800 villagers 260 died.

You will have time to walk through the pretty village looking at the plague cottages (not so pretty in 1665). There are other opportunities of visiting the Museum (own cost £5). Also the artisan stores in the courtyard of Eyam Hall. (The hall is not open to the public.)

After visiting the village at your own pace, we will travel to Ashbourne for lunch (own cost). Its charter was granted in 1257. The North Staffordshire Railway was built in 1852. This is now known as The Tissington Trail, a cycle and walking route. George Street is renowned for its Georgian Architecture. Its other claim to fame is The Shrove Tuesday football match, a mud bath.

Our final visit of the day is a private visit to Tissington Hall and Gardens. Tissington Hall is still owned by the Fitzherbert family. It was in 1609 changed from a fortified moated building to its present structure, with newer additions. The present owner is Sir Richard, who inherited the Hall in 1989. Tissington is a pretty village in its own right. The trail passes through here. You should have time for refreshments (own cost) in the tearoom or even the pub. There are many artisan crafts there including a plant nursery.

The whole journey through Derbyshire is through magnificent limestone scenery. So, book now for what I hope you will find a very interesting day.

Total Cost Payable on Booking: £47 per person. This includes the coach, admission to Tissington Hall, and refreshments at the Eyam Tea Rooms.
Accessibility: Please be aware that there may well be steps/stairs and uneven surfaces when entering older buildings. There is no lift at Tissington Hall.

Pickering, Wednesday, 5^th August

 

Join us for this coach excursion to North Yorkshire where we will explore the historic, bustling market town of Pickering.

We start with  tea, coffee and biscuits at the Forest and Vale Hotel, a 230 year old Georgian Manor house hotel, before visiting the Beck Isle Museum.

The Museum is a large Georgian building in a picturesque beck- side setting and picnic spot. It houses a wealth of interesting exhibits both inside and outside.

We have a private booked guided tour of the town to learn about its fascinating history. The market has played a significant role in the economy since 1201. We will learn how famous local individuals have played their part in influencing culture across the world. The Stagecoach route and later Victorian railway acted as key hub for many years and the railway is well known today!  The town’s maritime connection to the whaling industry, Pickering’s place in the Civil War and World Wars; the Castle and Medieval Church paintings give a unique opportunity to appreciate this delightful place, with its truly wide-ranging heritage and culture.

We will ask our group to divide into two, with one group seeing the museum in the morning and the second joining the walking tour. We will then reverse in the afternoon.

There will be plenty of free time for lunch and also after the museum visit to explore on your own.

We will leave Pickering at 5.15pm

Accessibility – the Museum is not fully accessible, though outside galleries can be accessed by wheelchair lift. Upstairs is by staircase only.  However, there is a virtual video walk available and many photographs of old Pickering.

Cost payable on booking: Coach £22  Refreshments £5 Museum entry and tour £12. Total cost of booking is £39 to include the cost of the coach, refreshments, museum entry and the tour.

Wednesday, 2nd September: National Tramway Museum, Crich, and Peak Rail, Matlock

Leaving Wakefield at 9am,  arrive Crich 10.15 – accessible for all

Today, we will travel to the National Tramway Museum at Crich where expect to arrive at around 10:15am. We will have group entry but, once inside the museum park, you are free to explore on your own. There are several catering facilities on-site for the purchase of refreshments.

At 1pm, we will leave Crich for a short drive to Matlock to catch the 1:40pm Peak Rail steam train to Rowsley for a 40-minute ride to Rowsley. Alighting from the train, we will visit the Rowsley South Tea Rooms for a cream tea. There is plenty to see at Rowsley, as well as the tea rooms there is a gift shop, working engine turntable, a picnic area, and riverside walks.

Our coach will leave Rowsley at 4:45pm for the journey back to Wakefield.

Total Cost Payable on booking: £60 per person to include the coach, group admission to the Tramway Museum, the train and cream tea at Rowsley Tea Rooms.

Accessibility: To gain maximum enjoyment of the day, you will wish to ride on trams at the Tramway museum and the train at Peak Rail. For more information on accessibility, please read the information on these two websites:
National Tramway Museum: https://tramway.co.uk/visit/accessibility/

and Peak Rail:

https://www.peakrail.co.uk/steam-trains-peak-district-plan-your-visit/facilities/