What’s on this Summer and FREE when visiting Wakefield City Centre?
There is so much to do from free walking tours to visiting museums, Wakefield Cathedral and, of course shopping! There’s an abundance of transport networks from Wakefield Free City Bus connecting all the train stations, from Wakefield Kirkgate station near The Hepworth Wakefield to Wakefield Museum (located outside Wakefield Westgate), to the heart of the city centre where you can jump on/off at Wakefield Bus Station to The Ridings Shopping Centre.
As someone who loves shopping local, independent and has an array of needs from a one-stop-shop as I don’t have a car currently but I also love browsing markets, charity shops and larger stores for a bargain. As a plant-based, world food and charity shop find local loving shopper, single mum and entrepreneur, getting around all my favourite places used to be impossible until I discovered our friends at The Riding Shopping Centre who are much more than a retail venue but they’ve evolved into a community hub full of free activities.
From The Den children’s play centre, Our Yard community event space, regular markets and craft fayres, a rooftop allotment to Makey Wakey art and craft activities and shops. Plus there’s even more on offer this Summer for all ages from coffee clubs for the elderly to family-friendly activities and health groups.
Here’s just some of What’s on this Summer at The Ridings Centre:
• In July, there was an Artwalk in and around The Ridings with more to come in the future. Plus my family and I made the most of 4 days of eco-themed activities where we took take part in Recycled City and helped to design a model of Wakefield City centre, using recycled and eco-friendly materials. For more details, go to this link: https://the-arthouse.org.uk/events/recycled-city-free-family-activity/ – the work will be exhibited soon in a shop front!
• There’s a Vintage Fair on 21st August with tonnes of sustainable, vintage, retro & branded fashion for just £15 PER KILO on the middle mall, outside M&S, The Ridings Shopping Centre, Almshouse Ln, Wakefield WF1 1DS.
• If the kids like getting messy or art, then all summer, Artventurers are excited to be using this fab space for three special days of classes over summer ☀ï¸
• ‘Our Yard’ is on the lower mall of The Ridings Shopping Centre, where the old food court used to be, near to the main toilets and Morrisons.
• From a new group called the craft table who meet fortnightly in Our Yard on the lower mall (near the toilets) to table tennis and a free community library/book swap.
Be sure to check @RidingsCentre on social media to keep updated or go to their website at RidingsCentre.co.uk
We also share our The Ridings friend awesomeness @YorkshireFamilies yorkshirefamilies.co.uk
DON’T FORGET: The Reel Cinema, The Den Play Centre, Shopping Malls, Food and Drink outlets and range of charity shops and organisations as well as parking and a rooftop allotment is on offer ALL YEAR ROUND! And it’s all so accessible!
You can also ask the help desk located outside of Marks and Spencer’s opposite The Reel Cinema, above Pound Land and Morrison’s for What’s On and discuss any requirements or book a space for your own community group or club!
Enjoy your life whatever age, ability, budget, background, or barriers… The Ridings is here for you… says accessibility site YorkshireFamilies.co.uk who share accessibility tips, recommendations and a sticker Club coming soon.
“From specialist schemes such as shop-mobility – offering free electric and manual wheelchair hire, Blue badge parking on site, accessible toilets include a changing places room, a Hidden Disability Scheme with free sunflower pin badges to ‘keep safe’, wristbands for vulnerable Children and Adults, available from the customer services lounge and The Den… Whether you’re after a calm, affordable and child-friendly cinema or charity shop clobber, or perhaps you want to meet a friend for a Latte or join a community group… Now more than ever we need such spaces to create such accessible hubs.â€
Our accessibility reporter at Yorkshire Families has also written this:
https://www.yorkshirefamilies.co.uk/2021/07/26/whats-on-at-the-ridings-and-surrounding-areas/
By Sophie Mei Lan
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@SparkleComms @sparklecommunications
