Student Life
Updated: 31 July 2025
We Yorkshire folk are known for our warm welcomes - and we can’t wait to make you feel right at home in Wakefield!
Whether you want to explore the lively surrounding cities of Leeds, Sheffield, York and Manchester or get out into the great outdoors, there’s a whole host of activities and adventures right here on your doorstep!
Culture — Wakefield’s cultural scene punches well above its weight. From world-class sculpture at Yorkshire Sculpture Park to live gigs in grassroots venues.
Culture — Wakefield’s cultural scene punches well above its weight. From world-class sculpture at Yorkshire Sculpture Park to live gigs in grassroots venues.
Eating Out — Wakefield has a great mix of places to eat, from laid-back cafés and casual spots to more upscale restaurants.
Eating Out — Wakefield has a great mix of places to eat, from laid-back cafés and casual spots to more upscale restaurants.
Nightlife — From quirky city-centre bars to classic pubs, Wakefield boasts a vibrant and diverse nightlife scene.
Nightlife — From quirky city-centre bars to classic pubs, Wakefield boasts a vibrant and diverse nightlife scene.
Retail therapy — From high street favourites to independent gems and local markets – Wakefield offers a vibrant mix of retail therapy for every taste and budget.
Retail therapy — From high street favourites to independent gems and local markets – Wakefield offers a vibrant mix of retail therapy for every taste and budget.
Culture — Wakefield’s cultural scene punches well above its weight. From world-class sculpture at Yorkshire Sculpture Park to live gigs in grassroots venues.
Culture — Wakefield’s cultural scene punches well above its weight. From world-class sculpture at Yorkshire Sculpture Park to live gigs in grassroots venues.
Eating Out — Wakefield has a great mix of places to eat, from laid-back cafés and casual spots to more upscale restaurants.
Eating Out — Wakefield has a great mix of places to eat, from laid-back cafés and casual spots to more upscale restaurants.
Nightlife — From quirky city-centre bars to classic pubs, Wakefield boasts a vibrant and diverse nightlife scene.
Nightlife — From quirky city-centre bars to classic pubs, Wakefield boasts a vibrant and diverse nightlife scene.
Retail therapy — From high street favourites to independent gems and local markets – Wakefield offers a vibrant mix of retail therapy for every taste and budget.
Retail therapy — From high street favourites to independent gems and local markets – Wakefield offers a vibrant mix of retail therapy for every taste and budget.
THINGS TO DO OFF CAMPUS
Wakefield is bursting with culture, green spaces, great shopping, and mouth-watering food and drink. Where else can you soak up stunning landscapes and world-class art in one day? From iconic works at The Hepworth Wakefield to open-air masterpieces at Yorkshire Sculpture Park - it’s all right here.
Live Music & Events
Theatre Royal Wakefield may be small, but it delivers big on atmosphere. Expect everything from laugh-out-loud comedy and feel-good musicals to unforgettable tribute nights - all in an intimate, historic setting.
The Hop features a cosy front bar with bare brick walls and a real fire snug, plus two stages hosting local bands downstairs and top acts like Metronomy and Sarah Millican upstairs.
Wakefield Jazz, tucked inside Wakefield Sports Club, hosts top British, European, and American jazz artists every Friday at 7:30pm - an intimate, well-loved venue offering standout contemporary performances for true music fans.
Jock’s Cavern is a hidden underground bar in central Wakefield, serving craft beers, quality cocktails, and great music. Located beneath Buffalo Bobs, it’s perfect for post-meal drinks and live entertainment.
Sports & Adventure
If you want to try your hand at something a little more adventurous, Xscape is the place for you. Try skiing, snowboarding or sledging on real snow at Snozone. There’s also e-karting, wall-to-wall trampolining, laser tag and much more!
Wakefield Karting offers year-round racing on a thrilling tarmac track, ideal for families, parties, or corporate events, with top-tier hospitality and facilities for groups of all sizes.
Want to get your skates on? Wakey Wheeled Cats is a women’s roller derby league right here in Wakefield. Or switch the skates for a different type of wheel at Wakefield’s Indoor Karting.
Want to get your skates on? Wakey Wheeled Cats is a women’s roller derby league right here in Wakefield. Or switch the skates for a different type of wheel at Wakefield’s Indoor Karting.
Arts & Culture
The Hepworth Wakefield, an award-winning gallery by the River Calder, showcases major modern and contemporary art exhibitions, celebrates Barbara Hepworth’s legacy, and hosts events, markets, and inspiring programmes.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park offers 500 acres of scenic parkland with over 100 outdoor sculptures, galleries, lakes, and woodlands - an inspiring cultural destination between Wakefield, Leeds, and Sheffield with food, drink, and award-winning shops.
Welcome to the house art built! The Art House supports artists and creatives with studios, exhibitions, events, and accessible facilities, offering space to create, connect, and engage with art in a welcoming, inclusive environment year-round.
From art exhibitions and live music to film nights and pop-up events, there’s always something happening. Whether you're popping in for a coffee and cake, grabbing street food with friends, or catching a live show, Wakefield Exchange is the place to be.
Nightlife
Disguised as a vintage VHS rental shop on Northgate in Wakefield, RBT Video hides a secret: behind a concealed door lies a lively bar serving up playful, film-themed cocktails in a nostalgic, retro setting.
The Golden Pineapple is a tucked-away tropical escape in Wakefield, where classic Victorian charm blends seamlessly with vibrant Tiki bar vibes. Intimate and full of character, it’s a one-of-a-kind spot that whisks you away from the ordinary and into a world of rum, colour, and curiosity.
The Establishment offers a stylish setting for a top night out in Wakefield. Its large front windows are perfect for people-watching along Westgate, while you enjoy a freshly made pizza from the bar’s authentic oven and sip on a cocktail.
Blending top-shelf spirits with creativity and a down-to-earth vibe, Now Serving delivers a cocktail menu that’s anything but ordinary. Can’t find your perfect drink? Just let the team know your favourites, and they’ll mix up something made just for you.
Food Scene
Pop Donuts are a Yorkshire family business redefining donuts with gourmet creations inspired by an 18th-century French Louisiana recipe, using locally sourced ingredients to craft flavour-packed treats rooted in rich culinary heritage.
Welcome to Gyros Bros, home of top-notch Greek street food right in the heart of Wakefield.
Inspired by the age-old tradition of food bringing people together, Gyros Bros is all about good eats, good vibes, and creating a space where everyone feels like part of the family.
The friendly team here at Corarima welcome you to join them in their vegan friendly, gluten free restaurant in the heart of Wakefield, and sample the sensational flavours of Abyssinian cuisine - lovingly prepared by Ethiopian and Eritrean chefs who know how to conjure up the authentic taste of Abyssinia.
Qubana, set in a former bank, blends Cuban charm with Spanish fusion tapas, Latin vibes, and stunning décor. Dine in the old vault or sip rum on the beautiful rooftop terrace.
Getting Around Yorkshire
When you’re not on campus, you’ll most likely live in Wakefield. It’s about a 30-minute drive away from campus, or there’s a train to Moorthorpe station which takes about 20 minutes.
Wakefield is super connected. You can get to Leeds in under 20 minutes where you can enjoy countless exhibitions, shopping, a thriving music scene and the world-famous Leeds Festival.
You can also find Sheffield, which is just 46 minutes away from Wakefield by train. The infamous Steel City music scene thrives with diverse genres, iconic venues, and a rich history of producing influential artists and bands including Bring Me the Horizon and the Arctic Monkeys.
Further Afield
London is just two hours away by train. There are also direct trains to Doncaster, York, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Bristol.
For further afield, Leeds Bradford Airport is just a 45-minute drive, with flights to a variety of destinations in the UK and Europe, from Poland to Malta.
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