Tileyard North at Rutland Mills
It’s difficult to miss just how much development is taking place around Hebble Wharf, with the creation of Tileyard North taking place between Navigation Walk and the Hepworth Wakefield Gallery transforming the former Victorian Rutland Mills into a 135,000 sq ft creative industries hub on Wakefield’s Waterfront – the UK’s largest creative community outside of London; a mixed-use, creative and cultural cluster with state-of-the-art facilities.
With the Carding Shed, The Mill and Corn Mill buildings already open for business – and the Courtyard hosting many outdoor events already this year, work continues to bring studios, offices, leisure areas and even a boutique hotel into the remaining warehouse conversions and new-build facilities. Below are just some of the businesses already open at Tileyard North.
The Carding Shed
In woolmaking times, Carding was a mechanical process that disentangled, cleaned and intermixes the fibres to produce a continuous web suitable for spinning.
Today, the Carding Shed is a venue for dinners, exhibitions and events accommodating up to 800 people and is regularly used for private and public events. More details at https://www.thecardingshed.com/
The Mill
Upstairs in The Mill is a more intimate reception area for characterful events, accommodating up to 130 people.
An industrial space overlooking the picturesque Hepworth Garden, the venue is home to The Yorkshire Catering Company, established in 2015 by wife and husband team, Alex and Christian Lawlor . More details at https://themillwakefield.com/
The Courtyard
A unique outdoor setting central to the community at Tileyard North, the courtyard provides a space for memorable open-air events with an alfresco ambience. A versatile location at the beating heart of the development, The Courtyard hosts regular street fairs and evening events.
Overlooking the Courtyard is a colourful illuminated tower which recreates the profile of the massive mill chimney that once stood there.
The Yorkshire Brasserie
The Yorkshire Brasserie is located next door to the Distillery Bar in the Corn Mill at Tileyard North.
Serving local produce – and some from a bit further afield – we bring our take of modern bistro food into a vibrant and creative world.
We serve seasonally inspired cuisine alongside Yorkshire favourites.
The Forged Spirits Distillery
Discover the Forged Spirits distillery with a distillery tour, where Gary the founder will talk you through the Forged Spirits journey and how they make gin, vodka and rum. During the tour you will enjoy drinks from the Forged Spirits range. To book the tour visit https://forgedspirits.com/distillery-tour/.
If you wish to book for a party of corporate event please email Gary at info@forgedspirits.com
The Distillery Bar
The Distillery Bar – from the team at Forged Spirits – is set to welcome both the creative and local community as a morning-to-night art deco inspired bar. During the day, make it your new spot for a meeting, sip on a cocktail in the sun-trapped courtyard or enjoy locally roasted artisan coffee while watching the distillation process in full swing through a viewing window.
As the day progresses, the bar will come alive with live music, DJs, or background music suited to the current clientele, bringing the 19th-century space to life. Expect speciality cocktails, a fabulous wine selection or beer to be enjoyed amongst friends.
The Hepworth Wakefield
The Hepworth Wakefield is an award-winning art gallery in the heart of Yorkshire, set within Wakefield’s historic waterfront overlooking the River Calder. Designed by the acclaimed David Chipperfield Architects, the gallery opened in May 2011.
Named after Barbara Hepworth, one of the most important artists of the 20th century who was born and brought up in Wakefield, the gallery presents major exhibitions of the best international modern and contemporary art and has dedicated galleries exploring Hepworth’s art and working process.
The Hepworth Wakefield is home to Wakefield’s art collection – an impressive compendium of modern British art, including works by Ben Nicholson, Patrick Heron, L.S. Lowry, Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore.
The Hepworth Wakefield Garden
The Hepworth Wakefield Garden, designed by internationally acclaimed landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith, is free for all to enjoy.
Tom Stuart-Smith’s design draws inspiration from its unusual setting between 19th-century red-brick mills and a 21st-century art gallery, edged by the River Calder. It echos the striking, angular shapes of the David Chipperfield-designed gallery while harnessing a naturalism that reflects Barbara Hepworth’s deep connection to the landscape.
As well as Stuart-Smith’s distinctive planting, there are outdoor sculptures by Sir Michael Craig-Martin, Barbara Hepworth and Kim Lim.
Chantry Bridge and the Chantry Chapel
On the other side of the modern bridge over the River Calder is Chantry Bridge which incorporates a chantry chapel, built by the townspeople of Wakefield as an integral part of Wakefield’s ‘new’ stone bridge in the mid-14th century. Completion of the structure was believed to have been delayed by the Black Death which swept through England during 1349 and 1350.
The Chantry is one of just three surviving bridge chantries in the whole country and it’s original purpose was to provide a place for priests to say mass for souls of the dead to reduce their time in purgatory.
By the turn of the millennium and following a redrawing of parish boundaries, the Chantry was brought into the care of the Dean and Chapter of Wakefield Cathedral.
The Chantry hosts a number of events throughout the year – for further information visit the Friends of Chantry Chapel website or Facebook page.
Chantry Chapel is open for the following services each month, all welcome:
First Sunday of the month – Chantry Communion, 16:30 – 17:15
Third Sunday of the month – Chantry Prayers, 16:30 – 17:15
Across Bridge Street from Hebble Wharf, the Bridge Inn is a pub for all seasons and reasons, offering lots of choice and value. And we’re the kind of cheerful local that’s equally good for a few pints with friends of an evening. Chill in the beer garden and enjoy a seat on the canal side or come in and enjoy the warm pub atmosphere. Our menu is served every day and has generous plates to please everyone. We’ve got all the pub classics, plus stonebaked pizzas and big tasty grills. When it comes to pub drinks, we offer much more variety than your average local. Cask ales, draught beers, premium spirits, world wines, fizz, cocktails, and soft drinks are all ready and waiting behind the bar.
The Bridge Inn
The Wharf Inn, Thornes Lane Wharf
Over the river from Hebble Wharf is another local favourite, The Wharf Inn on Thornes Lane Wharf – recently bought by Yorkshire brewing company, The Nailmaker Pub Co, which already has numerous pubs in the area.
Leah Lockwood, co-owner of The Wharf, said: “The decision to open The Wharf was driven by our passion for traditional pubs, great beer and our desire to contribute to the up and coming social scene in this area of Wakefield.
The pub currently brews their own ale alongside rotational guest cask and craft beers, gin and cocktails as well as live music, which takes place every weekend from 4pm to 7pm with plans to also introduce a food menu.
Luis Bar at Fernandes Brewery
A little further into town is Fernandes Brewery, just off Kirkgate.
Former winner of Yorkshire CAMRA Pub of the Year, Fernandes is steeped in brewing history since 1850. Luis Bar – a tribute to the Portuguese immigrant Luis Fernandes who constructed the three story maltings building in the 1800s is a beer lover’s paradise.
Purchased by Ossett Brewery Pub company in 2007, founder Jamie Lawson originally converts the Fernandes homebrew shop into a Belgium beer bar and later in 2021 the ground and upper floor become one venue.
Hebble Wharf Residents & Owners Association 