By Tim Lambert
Early Wakefield
Wakefield began as an Anglo-Saxon settlement. It was probably Waca’s feld, meaning Waca’s area of open land. At the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, Wakefield was a tiny village. However, by the 13th century, it had grown into a small market town. It also had annual fairs.
By Tudor Times, Wakefield was already known for its cloth industry. Wakefield Grammar School was founded in 1591.
In 1702, the River Calder was made navigable to Wakefield, and the town grew even more prosperous. Wakefield Cattle Market opened in 1765. Tammy Hall opened in 1778. Wakefield was known as the Merry City.
Modern Wakefield
By 1801, Wakefield was a fairly large town with a population of about 8,000. It grew much larger during the 19th century. By 1901, the population had reached 24,107.
In the 19th century, Wakefield was known for wool spinning and coal mining. Wakefield also had an important corn market.
The Railway reached Wakefield in 1840. Wakefield Town Hall was built in 1880. In 1888, Wakefield gained a new, clean water supply. Theatre Royal Wakefield was built in 1896, and County Hall was built in 1898.
A Church has existed in Wakefield since Anglo-Saxon times, but in 1888, the Church of All Saints was made a cathedral. Wakefield became a city. A library opened in Wakefield in 1906. It was replaced by a new one in 2012.
The Ridings Shopping Centre opened in 1983, but there are now plans to demolish it. The National Coal Mining Museum opened in 1988.
During the 21st century, Wakefield continued to thrive. A new bus station opened in 2001. Trinity Walk Shopping Centre opened in 2011. The first Wakefield Museum opened in 1923. It opened in a new location in 2013.
In 2025, the population of Wakefield was 110,000.
