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Summer 2025 at YSP

Summer 2025 at YSP

For summer 2025 we have got you covered for creative and nourishing days out with friends and family. From Monday 21 July we are open 7 days a week for the duration of the holidays. We will be closed on Mondays again from 1 September. 

There's lots to see and do whether it's hot and sunny or cool and wet. Two exciting new indoor exhibitions by William Kentridge, and Lesley Barnes and Ross McAuley are open to discover, and we have a range of indoor and outdoor activities to keep kids of all ages entertained all summer long. 

Perfect for little ones to burn off energy, visit Little Wild Wood and pick up activity trails and tree discovery kits to help you explore hidden corners of the grounds.

For indoor activites, visit The Studio in the Underground Gallery, a fantastic creative space for everyone to create, play and learn with props and materials inspired by The Pull of Gravity  exhibition.

Catch up with friends over a delicious, locally sourced lunch in our cafés, with ice creams to help you cool down on warm days and a £5 lunch bag for kids. The Weston summer menu features fresh seasonal flavours, antipasti sharing boards, and refreshing cocktails—perfect for leisurely lunches in beautiful surroundings.

Kids always go FREE and parking is FREE too.

A woman and child drawing on thin strips of paper fastened around the trunk of a tree.

Family Day in partnership with Star Bereavement

7 Aug, 11.00–15.00

Make, play and come together with 3 different artist-led activities celebrating your family and your family’s stories.

This is a free, drop-in event perfect for families of all ages. 
 

An adult and child building a sculpture out of pieces of wood in an outdoor setting.

Outdoor Sculpture Building

Work and play together to build outdoor sculptures inspired by artists in the park. Make, stack, balance and assemble to create your own supersized sculptures.
 

Sessions run every Tuesday in the Wakefield Summer Holidays, last session 26 August.

Summer in the Hidden Forest

Visit the magical Hidden Forest and follow your child’s imagination as they explore, create and play under a canopy of trees. Designed with under-5s in mind but all welcome.

Sessions run every Thursday and Friday in the Wakefield Summer Holidays, last session 29 August.

Two children jumping between wooden platforms in a nature play area.

Little Wild Wood

Discover Little Wild Wood - our natural creative play space, designed to inspire imaginations, somewhere for the kids to connect to sculpture and nature at their level.

A child builds a sculpture our of interconnecting wooden pieces.

The Studio

Visit The Studio in the Underground Gallery to enjoy drawing, making and imagining together, using playful Activity Baskets inspired by the themes and artworks in William Kentridge: The Pull of Gravity
 

Other activities to enjoy this summer

  1. A family playing in the Hidden Forest.
    Event

    Summer in the Hidden Forest

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    Drop-in to the magical Hidden Forest and follow your child’s imagination as they explore, create and play under a canopy of trees.
  2. Visitor inside Roger Hiorns Seizure, 2008, Courtesy Arts Council Collection at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
    Event

    Seizure Admission

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    In order to conserve the artwork and extend it's lifespan, access to Seizure is by pre-booked time slot only. Capacity is limited and we recommend booking prior to your visit to avoid disappointment. Admission to YSP is included in all Seizure tickets.
  3. A black linen smock-style garment displayed on a wooden clothing stand.
    Event

    Artist Smock Making Workshop with The Stitch Society

    In this creative workshop you will create a bespoke artist smock with expert tuition from Charlotte and Gillian of The Stitch Society
  4. A group of people practice yoga indoors, lying on mats. One woman in a blue top stretches her legs while others are engaged in various poses. In the background is a large woven willow sculpture. Natural light filters in through windows.
    Event

    Yoga and Sound Bath: Laura Ellen Bacon

    Join us for a yoga practice in the Chapel, surrounded by the inspirational artwork of Laura Ellen Bacon.
  5. A large, organic sculpture made of intertwined natural materials resembles flowing waves or abstract forms. It is positioned in a bright room with large windows, contrasting with the stone floor.
    Event

    Life Drawing: Laura Ellen Bacon

    Join us for a one-of-a-kind life drawing workshop inspired by Laura Ellen Bacon's immersive willow installation.
  6. Event

    Body Archives: Collective Feminist Body Mapping

    Join resident artist, Emily Ryalls for an afternoon of feminist body mapping using cyanotype print making.
  7. Two people sat on an interactive sculpture conversing with a man giving a BSL tour.
    Event

    Signs of the Landscape

    Join us for a fascinating walk with a difference to discover and learn British Sign Language (BSL) for the nature at YSP.
  8. A group of adults and two babies sit on a reflective surface in an art space. The adults, dressed in casual clothing, engage with the children, who are exploring the area. Artworks are visible in the background, creating a creative atmosphere.
    Event

    Sculpture Baby: William Kentridge

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    Spend creative time with your baby and enjoy this sensory session inspired by the William Kentridge exhibition in the Underground Gallery.