Castleford All Saints Parish Church
Castleford All Saints is an historic church that opens regularly for heritage tours, including during Heritage Open Days.
Heritage Directory
Search the Heritage Directory to discover community and voluntary heritage groups, civic societies, friends of parks groups, advisory services and heritage freelancers, museums and archives, and historic sites across Wakefield district.
You can filter listings by location or type of organisation.
Castleford and District Historical Society
Castleford Historical Society was founded 1967. The group meet at Castleford Trinity Methodist Church for a programme of heritage talks throughout the year.
Castleford Civic Society
Castleford Civic Society is a friendly group of local volunteers wanting to foster a sense of civic pride in Castleford. The Society aim to share the heritage and stories of Castleford, including through the Healdfield Road Cemetery Trail. We are keen to remember the ordinary women and men that the history books can overlook .
Castleford Heritage Trust
Castleford Heritage Trust is a registered charity located at Queen’s Mill in Castleford. The Trust was established in 2000 by people from the Castleford community, who came together with a shared desire to influence and effect positive change for the town and the surrounding area.
Castleford Tigers Community Foundation
The Castleford Tigers Foundation is the charitable arm of the Castleford Tigers. The Foundation deliver a range of community projects in the local and wider area, including projects focusing on their rugby league heritage.
Elizabeth Love Museum
The Elizabeth Love Museum is located in the only remaining habitable part of Pontefract Castle. It holds an extensive collection of antiques collected by Elizabeth Love and and her brother Joe. This includes one of the finest collections of Castleford Pottery to be found in the UK.
Empath Theatre CIC
Empath Theatre CIC creates socially engaged theatre and arts projects designed to help local people share their stories, build confidence, and connect with their communities. The group often brings local history to life through performance, storytelling and workshops.
Featherstone Rovers Foundation
Featherstone Rovers Foundation is a not-for-profit community. The Foundation uses rugby league and sport to deliver health, education, wellbeing and inclusion programmes for people of all ages, including projects that focus on their local rugby and mining heritage.
Felkirk Heritage Group
Felkirk village is in the parish of South Hiendley. Though small, it boasts an impressive collection of historical landmarks. The group work to preserve and celebrate the area’s rich local heritage, and supported Wakefield Council to designate Felkirk & Hodroyd as a Conservation Area in February 2026. The group meet the 1st Saturday of every month, 10-12 am in the Old Schoolroom next to St Peter’s church. They are able to help anyone trying to trace their family history or search for family graves.
Friends of Castleford Library (FOCAL)
FOCAL aims to promote and raise the profile of Castleford Library, and organise activities and events of local and community interest.
Friends of Clarence, Holmfield and Thornes Parks (CHaT Parks)
The Friends of CHaT Parks was formed to protect and preserve the heritage of the Parks and to make positive plans for their future. The group work to stimulate public interest and inspire a sense of civic pride in the beauty, history and character of the Parks.
Friends of Friarwood Valley Gardens, Pontefract
Friends of Friarwood Valley Gardens is a voluntary community group that work to regenerate Pontefract's Valley Gardens, which is a Grade 2 listed park close to the Town Centre. The group sees its role as mobilising community support for volunteering and raising funds for the improvement of the Gardens.
Friends of Fryston Woods
Friends of Fryston Wood began in 2003 as a community group trying to improve access to local woodlands of Airedale and Fryston. It has evolved into an award winning organisation, offering woodland events, outdoor education and instilling the community with a sense of pride and respect for their surroundings.
Friends of Green Park Ossett
The Friends of Green Park, Ossett, support and help maintain and improve the park, and help to celebrate its history and place within the community.
Friends of Haw Park Wood and Wintersett
Friends of Haw Park Wood & Wintersett aim to preserve, enhance and promote Haw Park Wood as a natural woodland and Anglers Park for the benefit of local people and wildlife.
Friends of Horbury's Parks
The aim of the Friends of Horbury's Parks is to develop, improve and increase the use of Horbury’s parks by the local community and surrounding area. This includes Carr Lodge Park, Memorial Park, Reid Park, Stan Barstow Gardens, Cameo Gardens and Green Park.
Friends of Illingworth Park, Ossett
The Friends of Illingworth Park were formed in 2009 to promote the use and rejuvenation of Illingworth Park, located just off Manor Road in Ossett. The group’s aim is to make the park a safe and welcoming place for all members of the local community.
Friends of Newmillerdam Country Park
The Friends of Newmillerdam Country Park work to ensure the Park is a thriving, well-cared-for place of natural beauty, that provides a safe and enjoyable haven for nature, animals and visitors alike. The group is free to join and provides the opportunity for volunteers to carry out practical work in the Park every Tuesday and some Saturdays throughout the year.
Friends of Outwood Park, Wakefield
Friends of Outwood Park is a community group set up to improve and encourage more community use of Outwood Park in Outwood, just outside of Wakefield. If you would like to get involved, become a member or volunteer, the group would love to hear from you.
Friends of Pontefract Park
Friends of Pontefract Park is a voluntary community group, formed in 2012 to preserve, protect, develop and improve Pontefract Park. The committee meets on the second Thursday of each month (except December) in Aspire at the Park. There is no membership subscription required, and meetings are open to everyone.
Friends of The Chantry Chapel of St Mary the Virgin
Friends of the Chantry Chapel Wakefield is a dedicated charity focused on preserving the historic Chantry Chapel and sharing its story with a wider audience. The group’s efforts include fundraising for restoration projects, organising educational events, and fostering community involvement.
Friends of Valley Gardens, Castleford
Friends of Castleford Valley Gardens volunteers are committed to improving their beloved local park.
Friends of Walton Colliery Nature Park
The Friends of Walton Colliery Nature Park is a voluntary group established in 2009 by people who enjoyed using the Nature Park and wanted to support its maintenance and conservation efforts.
Friends of Waterton's Wall
The Friends of Waterton's Wall aim to preserve the historic and architectural heritage of Waterton’s Wall in Walton, the benefit of the local community, Wakefield and the nation. The group work to educate the general public in the architecture, geography, natural and social history of the area of benefit.
Gawthorpe Coal Carrying and Maypole Committee
Home to England’s earliest recorded permanent maypole, Gawthorpe hosts its annual Maypole Festival and the World Coal Carrying Championships, organised by the Gawthorpe Maypole Committee.
Harrison Architectural Heritage Ltd.
Dr Joanne Harrison is an architect, consultant and researcher, with specialisms in historic building conservation and retrofit. She works with individuals, communities, corporate organisations, local authorities and universities to deepen understanding of the past and enhance the historic environment.
Horbury Civic Society
Horbury Civic Society is a volunteer organisation established in 1968 and is a registered charity. The Society are committed to making Horbury a better place in which to live and work.
Mental Health Museum
The Mental Health Museum is based at Fieldhead Hospital in Wakefield. Home to an extraordinary collection of objects, the museum is also a space for broader debates around mental health care history, to promote wellbeing, combat mental health stigma, and be active in social justice.
National Coal Mining Museum for England
National Coal Mining Museum for EnglandThe National Coal Mining Museum for England brings the fascinating story of coal mining to life through immersive tours, interactive exhibits, historic collections, changing exhibitions, events and stunning spaces. Based at Caphouse Colliery in Wakefield, it preserves and shares the heritage, memories, and special stories of coal mining communities for future generations.
Newmillerdam Community & Conservation Association
The NCCA are a team of local residents and volunteers committed to making the village of Newmillerdam a lovely place to visit and live.
Nostell - National Trust
Nostell is one of the grandest houses in the north of England, surrounded by 300 acres of parkland and gardens. Created as an ambitious statement by the Winn family between 1725 and 1785, generations added to the richness of the house. For non-National Trust members there is a parking fee of £5, with additional admission charges for the house and gardens.
One to One Development Trust
One to One Development Trust is a UK-based arts and media charity that creates innovative digital projects to engage communities and amplify underrepresented stories. Many of the Trust’s projects have focused on exploring local heritage through interactive digital media.
Ossett Civic Society
Ossett Civic Society is dedicated to enhancing, protecting, and increasing civic pride in the town of Ossett.
Ossett Through the ages (OTTA)
A comprehensive local history organisation and digital archive preserving Ossett’s rich heritage. With an online community of over 15,000 members, OTTA serves as a collaborative hub, and acts as a vital historical repository housing thousands of photographs, memoirs and historical facts about Ossett and Gawthorpe. Beyond digital archiving, the organisation is responsible for delivering tangible community heritage projects featured directly within Ossett town centre.
Outwood Community Video
Outwood Community Video is a history video group located in Outwood, near Wakefield. The club was formed in 2001 to encourage people of all ages to take an interest in film making. The group have 800 hours of film and 8,000 photos in their archive.
Pontefract & District Archaeology & History Society
The Society – informally known as PontArc – was formed in 1957 and members have carried out and supported many impressive fieldwork projects over the years since then. The Society holds a programme of talks from September to April each year and regularly conducts archaeological fieldwork.
Pontefract and District Family History Society
Pontefract and District Family History Society is an active group of historians who hold regular monthly meetings on the third Thursday of each month (Except August ), from 7:30pm at Central Methodist Church Pontefract, WF8 1NB. The Society's Winter Meetings from November to March are Zoom only meetings. Full details of the Societies activities can be found on their website.
Pontefract Civic Society
Established in 1969, Pontefract Civic Society is a registered charity. By promoting civic pride and facilitating community engagement, the Society hopes to improve public spaces, celebrate Pontefract’s rich historic past and promote the town as a place to live, visit and work.
Pontefract Heritage Partnership
Pontefract Heritage Partnership is a charitable organisation dedicated to the acquisition, preservation and development of the Pontefract Dispensary and Hermitage for public benefit.
Stanley Residents Group
The Stanley Residents' Group volunteers work together to improve the local environment, to bring people together, and to help address local concerns or issues within Stanley, Wakefield. The Group’s Heritage Trail invites visitors to discover Stanley’s past from the Bronze Age to the present, covering 38 points of interest.
Story Trails
Beccy Dye of Story Trails is a writer, storyteller, workshop leader and a children’s author. Beccy creates interactive storytelling performances, alternative games, podcasts and oral history projects.
Trinity Church Ossett
An historic church with one of the largest ring of bells in the country (16 bells in total). The church also has the highest spire above sea level in Wakefield district. The spire is open for tours during the year, including for Heritage Open Days.
Visit Ossett
Visit Ossett is a group of local volunteers whose objective is to make Ossett a great place to live, work and shop. The Group aim to promote Ossett’s rich heritage.
Wakefield & District Family History Society
Wakefield & District Family History Society was formed in 1997 to advance public education in Family History and Genealogy for the benefit of anyone living in Wakefield district or with interests or family in the former West Riding of Yorkshire.
Wakefield Cathedral
With over 900 years of history on the site where the cathedral is situated today, Wakefield Cathedral is truly one of Yorkshire’s finest stories of longevity.
Wakefield Civic Society
Established in 1964, Wakefield Civic Society is a registered charity dedicated both to preserving and celebrating built heritage in Wakefield City Centre. The Society also campaigns for good design in architecture and town planning. The Society runs a full programme of events throughout the year for members and the public.
Wakefield Council Conservation Team (Planning Department)
Wakefield Council Conservation Team provides information about listed buildings, conservation areas, historic landscapes, parks and gardens. Also, advice on Planning and Listed Building Consent applications affecting the historic environment.
Wakefield Historical Society and Wakefield Historical Publications
Established in 1924, Wakefield Historical Society is a charity which aims to promote knowledge of the past and preservation of local heritage in Wakefield and beyond. The Society organises an annual programme of lectures, talks and excursions. Wakefield Historical Publications is a body comprising WHP and Wakefield Council, formed in 1977 to publish monographs of regional significance. Books can be purchased from the Society or found in local libraries.
Wakefield Libraries and Local Studies
All Wakefield Libraries hold information relating to their communities and on Yorkshire in general. There are large local studies collections available at Pontefract, Castleford and Ossett libraries. The primary local archive is at Wakefield Library and includes local history books, journals, ephemera, newspapers, maps, photographs, local parish registers, and microfilm readers. There is free access to Find My Past and Ancestry if using computers in the library.
Wakefield Local and Family History Network
All are welcome to this friendly group. Sessions are free and drop-in, often focused on local heritage and family history research topics. Meetings are on the fourth Monday of the month, 1.30pm - 3.00pm.
Wakefield Museums and Castles
Wakefield Museums & Castles is the council-run museum service for the Wakefield district. They run three museums, at Castleford Museum, Pontefract Museum and Wakefield Museum, and two Scheduled Monuments, at Pontefract and Sandal Castles. The museum service collects, preserves, interprets and shares the social, archaeological and cultural history of the Wakefield district, from prehistory to present day.
Wakefield Railway Modellers’ Society
The Wakefield Railway Modellers’ Society was founded in March 1958 to cater for modellers interested in small scale model railways in the Wakefield area. The group meet every Monday evening from 7:30pm (except Bank Holidays) and enjoy talks, demonstrations, film and slide shows of railway interest as well as the building of models.
West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service
The West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service provides informed and authoritative advice and information to the Planning Authorities in West Yorkshire, to help conserve the most significant heritage sites that are affected by development proposals. The Service manages the publicly accessible Historic Environment Record (HER) of West Yorkshire’s historic environment. It contains information on all known archaeological sites, historic buildings, find-spots and historic landscapes within West Yorkshire.
West Yorkshire Archive Service Wakefield
The West Yorkshire Archive Service (WYAS) in Wakefield hold records of the history of the West Riding of Yorkshire and its communities from 1194 to the present day. WYAS Wakefield is the third largest local authority archive in Great Britain comprising over 10 million documents. Many collections have national significance, including the unique records of Stanley Royd Mental Health Hospital, awarded international status as part of the UNESCO UK Memory of the World Register.
Yorkshire Film Archive
The Yorkshire and North East Film Archive is part of York St John University. The Archive works to collect, curate and create access to the regions' screen heritage collections. Amateur and professional filmmakers alike have been capturing life in Yorkshire and the North East of England on film for over 130 years. The Archive holds over 75,000 items of original film, video tape, and born-digital material.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park: National Arts Education Archive
The National Arts Education Archive (NAEA) was established in 1985 to provide a documentary trace of the development of arts education in the UK and internationally from mid-19th century to the present day. The archive has an extensive library of arts education containing documents, artworks and artefacts unique in historical value.