Welcome to the ‘New Orangery’

Welcome to an exciting vision for a new centre for the arts, learning, and place-making in Yorkshire.

Our vision is about making a significant new resource to help people contribute to the future improvement of their towns and cities. It includes historic buildings and gardens, striking contemporary architecture, and opportunities for all to learn, take part, be creative, and share knowledge.

The centre will provide programmes at the Orangery and elsewhere in the region — advice, training, and support to community groups, practitioners, businesses, and creative projects in the arts, education, and regeneration. The New Orangery will enable schools, colleges and universities, professionals and the public to access exhibitions, conference facilities, heritage gardens, a café, IT resources, displays, and expert staff.

The Orangery, Westgate, and Wakefield

The Orangery is a unique Grade II* listed site owned by beam (formerly Public Arts) and adjacent to Wakefield Westgate Station. With Council leadership, Wakefield and Westgate are changing. The Westgate area is being developed by English Cities Fund, with plans for new roadways, parks, squares, flats, offices, and a new main-line train station. The historic Orangery site, damaged and hidden by previous developments, is in the midst of this major transport and gateway scheme. Our capital investment project aims to ensure that the Orangery emerges enhanced, more accessible, and more useful, to residents, businesses, and visitors alike.