Wakefield

Metropolitan district in England

Coordinates:	53.66, -1.42
OS grid ref:	SE 38 18

Wakefield is a metropolitan district in West Yorkshire, centred on the city of Wakefield. The district stretches across the Calder valley, crossed by the River Calder and edged towards the River Aire, with landscape that moves from urban centres to rolling agricultural land and the fringes of the Pennines. It embraces a range of towns including Pontefract, Castleford, Featherstone, Knottingley, Ossett, Normanton, Hemsworth and Horbury.

Culturally the district punches above its weight: Wakefield Cathedral anchors the city centre, while galleries such as Hepworth Wakefield and the nearby Yorkshire Sculpture Park have raised its national profile. Industrial heritage is visible at places like the National Coal Mining Museum for England, and towns such as Pontefract still celebrate distinctive local traditions like the liquorice industry and historic castle sites.

Economically the area has shifted from coal and textiles to a mixed economy of manufacturing, logistics, retail and cultural tourism, with many residents commuting to Leeds and other regional centres. Strong local identities remain in community life and sport - for example rugby league clubs like Wakefield Trinity and Castleford Tigers - and ongoing regeneration projects are converting former industrial sites into housing and leisure facilities.

Wakefield postcode districts

WF1, WF2, WF4, WF5, WF6, WF7, WF8, WF9, WF10, WF11

Most populated places in Wakefield

Places in Wakefield

Ackworth Parish
Ackworth Moor Top Built-up area
Ackworth, North Elmsall and Upton Ward
Airedale and Ferry Fryston Ward
Altofts and Whitwood Ward
Badsworth Built-up area
Bottom Boat Built-up area
Castleford Built-up area
Castleford Central and Glasshoughton Ward
Chevet Parish
Coxley Built-up area
Crigglestone Parish
Crofton Built-up area
Darrington Built-up area
Featherstone Built-up area
Fitzwilliam and Kinsley Built-up area
Hemsworth Built-up area
Horbury Built-up area
Kirkhamgate Built-up area
Knottingley Built-up area
Low Ackworth Built-up area
Middlestown and Overton Built-up area
Notton Built-up area
Ossett Built-up area
Pontefract Built-up area
Ryhill Parish
Sharlston Built-up area
South Elmsall Built-up area
Upton Built-up area
Wakefield Built-up area
West Bretton Built-up area
Woolley Built-up area