Why Visit Yorkshire Sculpture Park?

Yorkshire Sculpture Park is a great day out in the Wakefield district of the county of Yorkshire. It is an inspiring place to visit, with work by international artists such as Anthony Gormley. See the work of a figurative sculptor, portrait sculptor or performance artist or take in a workshop. Perhaps even learn sculpture yourself. The sculpture park is set in the grounds of Bretton Hall Estate. It has four indoor galleries and 500 acres of glorious parkland that dates back to the 18th century, housing contemporary and modern art. The indoor galleries consist of the Garden, Longside, Underground and Bothy. The Underground Gallery was completed in 2004 and is set into the hill of the Bothy Garden. It is really a terrace, 50 metres long rather than a cave type building. It was created to house large-scale art that needed protection from the elements. The visitor centre has a shop, auditorium, restaurant, community resource area and conference space. From the restaurant, great views can be had over the huge Henry Moore sculptures, allowing them to be seen from a different perspective. The shop is the place to bag design books, contemporary craft, art literature, local food, and educational products. There is also the chance to get hold of work by selected individual artists that could include anything from clothing, ceramic tiles and jewellery, to tea towels. The garden itself is very pleasant and includes a sensory area where planting is focussed around touch and smell, with fragrant flowers and herbs. The park is committed to organising activities and events to engage people and teach them about the world of sculpture. Courses, workshops and talks are popular and enjoyed by thousands every year. Yorkshire Sculpture Park has helped put Wakefield district on the world map for art and it is definitely worth a visit if you are in the UK.