Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) is the leading international centre for modern and contemporary sculpture. It’s one of my favourite places for family walks and somewhere I have been visiting regularly for over 40 years! I love the mix of art/sculptures and stunning scenery. It’s one of my favourite Family walks.
Most of the sculptures are in the open air but there are a few of indoor galleries too with frequently changing exhibitions. The open-air displays are extensive and are a mixture of permanent sculptures and temporary exhibitions that change frequently. That’s one of the things we love, every time you visit you get to see old favourites and discover some new exhibitions too. It really is an extraordinary place.
Photos and words were last updated in May 2026 after our latest visit.
There are approximately 100 sculptures in the open air from a mix of international artists. We love the mix of contemporary art and how the sculptures enhance the natural beauty of this historic estate. Bretton Hall dates back to the 18th-century and was an art college up until 2007. The whole park is a mixture of lakes, rivers, woodland, meadow and formal gardens. There are sculptures dotted about in all the different areas.
Some of the artist’s work that you can expect to see on your visit include several sculptures by Barbara Hepworth including The family of man from 1970.
David Nash has done a number of residencies at YSP and created some amazing sculptures that you can still see. Andy Goldsworthy has also created many sculptures at YSP over the years which are all still in the open air. Another collection we enjoy seeing on each visit are by Henry Moore. James Turrell created Deer shelter skyscape way back in 2007 and it features a large square chamber with a roof aperture. It is an amazing and peaceful place to spend time.
You can see a few very large sculptures by Damien Hirst until the end of May 2023. The virgin mother creates a real talking point with the cross-section revealing the foetus in the womb.
There are acres of parkland to explore. Every time we visit we do a slightly different walk. It’s not impossible to see everything in one day but it would involve a lot of back and forth walking to cover the whole 500 acres of parkland and all the indoor spaces too.
How to get to Yorkshire sculpture park
YSP is located in West Bretton, near Wakefield, West Yorkshire. It is just 1 mile from M1 junction 38. From this junction take the A637 and follow the Yorkshire Sculpture Park brown heritage signs for one mile until you reach a roundabout. At this roundabout, turn left and follow the road through to the YSP Car Park and YSP Centre.
The postcode for sat nav is WF4 4JX.
If you want to visit by public transport then the 96 bus regularly stops at YSP and the Arriva 108 bus service runs directly to Yorkshire Sculpture Park from Wakefield City Centre Bus Station.
Yorkshire sculpture park parking
There are several car parks at YSP and parking is currently free in all of them. The main car park is the most popular and the one that YSP encourage using first.
Yorkshire sculpture park cost
Parking is now free. The admission cost is currently (May 2026) from £10 per adult. Under 18s are free.
Yorkshire sculpture park opening times
YSP is open daily except for Christmas eve and Christmas day. Gates are open 10am to 6pm in the summer (5pm in the winter).
How long can you spend at Yorkshire sculpture park?
You can spend as long or as little as you like at YSP. It’s definitely somewhere you could spend a full day. I’ve shared a few tips for if you have a full of half day in my tips later on.
Facilities at YSP
At the YSP centre, you’ll find an information desk, shop, and cafe with outdoor seating on a balcony which enjoys spectacular views over the top of the park. There are also toilet facilities and lots of artwork on display in the corridors too.
You can also eat at the restaurant at the Weston, the kitchen cafe at the YSP centre and the cafe at YSP learning. You can find toilets in all these areas too.
We have eaten at the cafe at YSP centre and the food is delicious, really great food at great prices too.
Indoor galleries
The exhibitions in the indoor spaces are all temporary exhibitions that change frequently so I’d recommend you visit the YSP website to see what the current exhibitions are. Exhibition at YSP.
The underground gallery is the first gallery you’ll come to if you park at YSP centre. This is a gorgeous gallery, built into the hill. It has a wall of glass so it’s filled with light.
The Weston gallery is part of the Weston restaurant.
The Chapel is a converted small chapel that makes a fantastic gallery.
Are dogs allowed at YSP?
Yes, dogs are welcome but they must be kept on a short lead at all times and are not permitted around the upper lake and menagerie wood.
Little wild wood – children’s outdoor creative play area
This is a fairly new area to YSP and it is a lovely addition for young families. It includes lots of tree stumps and logs for balancing, a den building area and a willow tunnel. There are also 3 sculptures in this area for the children. 1 of the 2 entrances is also across the ha-ha bridge.
Our top tips for visiting the Yorkshire Sculpture Park with kids
- Plan to arrive early and spend most of the day here.
- Tickets currently need to be booked online here – Yorkshire Sculpture Park
- Pack a picnic and blanket (there aren’t many picnic benches but picnics are welcome)
- Adults cost £10 and under 18s are free
- Pick up a free map at the information desk in the YSP centre
- If you have limited time, prioritise the main side of the river (where you park and the YSP centre is). Save walking across to the other side of the lake for when you have a full day.
- If you do have a full day, explore the side where you park first and then after lunch, do the circular walk across to the other side of the parkland. There are some fantastic sculptures on this side and the views are stunning.
- No ball games, kites, frisbees, skateboards or climbing trees. Children are asked not to climb on the sculptures.
Nearby places you’ll love
- We love Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal water gardens for family walks and the amazing play area.
- Find loads more sculptures at Himalayan gardens and sculpture park
- There are so many gorgeous beaches in Yorkshire. Find The Best North Yorkshire Beaches here.
- Find more UK family days out and holidays here
That looks like a fantastic place to visit for the children to run around and see some very interesting sculptures too in a beautiful location. If we ever go up north I’d love to visit.
Thanks for sharing #LetKidsBeKids
Have wanted to go to this place for years! Your photos have made me want to go even more!!!
we went here earlier in the summer (I think there is a write up on my blog too!) it’s a fab place and you’ve shared pics of things we didn’t get chance to see x
#toddlerapprovedtuesday
I think I read your post! There really is so much to see there.
Wow, this looks amazing! I would love to visit, adding it to my list of places to visit the next time I go to Yorkshire. This would also be a great post to link up to #Whatevertheweather linky, it opens on Wednesday at 7am for family outdoor posts, link is on my blog. 🙂 xx
Oooh thanks for sharing this place with us. I’m now very tempted to go but I think I’ll have to lure hubby there by saying that loads of geocaches can be found in the county too. #LetKidsBeKids
We’ve still not tried geocaching.
This place looks a bit magical, I’ll remember this for the next time we go up north. Lovely pictures. Becky x #ToddlerApprovedTuesday
This looks so interesting, I’d love to go! #letkidsbekids
I’ve never heard of this place but it look great. I just googled it and it about 2 and a half hours away from us. I might try and find places around it so that we can make a weekend of it in the caravan!
Thanks for linking up t #ToddlerApporvedTuesday