Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire
This is the first of our ‘What’s on’ blogs for Nostell Priory. I have scoured the internet and sought local knowledge to find a selection of events you might find interesting this October. Over the following months I will introduce you to places of interest, events, festivals and activities near our site. If you have any particular interests and would like me to look out for certain types of events, please let me know. Also, if you go to an event give me some feedback so I can recommend it to others next year.
I’ve given a web link in most cases. Please check before you go. As with all exploring, some of our ‘What’s on’ suggestions will be brilliant, some will give you completely new experiences, and others may be a disappointment. I’m putting this list together based on what I think looks interesting.
Park Run: Every Saturday @ 9:00
Nostell Priory
On Saturday at 9, right by the Nostell Priory you will notice a motley crew gathering of ‘runners’. This is Park Run. It’s free to enter, to get a run time you complete a one off registration on the Park Run website. This gives you a barcode to print off. At the finish your barcode will be scanned and you get a time. Simple
It’s a 5km course (3 miles). There will be run/walkers, pushchairs, people running with dogs, fit people, beginners, people who have seen better days, some in their 80’s and others still in school. Anyone can Park Run. Even me!
Nostell is a nice 2 lap undulating course, starting 150m down the footpath adjacent to the Stables and Courtyard leading to the car park (approx. 5 min walk from car park). See you there.
Comedy Club at The Establishment: 4th October
The Establishment, Wakefield
The Establishment is in the centre of Wakefield near the Wakefield Theatre Royal.
Monthly comedy gigs every month with the evening hosted by Mark Anthony!
Even better, these events are free entry but you must enter online for tickets.
Ilkley Literature Festival: 4th – 20th October
Ilkley
Ilkley is a wonderful little town just north of Leeds. It’s about an hour drive from Nostell. The Ilkley Literature Festival is the North’s liveliest, most prestigious Literature Festival.
- Over 200 events over seventeen days
- Authors’ events, Discussions, Readings, Performances, Workshops, Reader’s Events, Literary Walks, Poetry, Festival Fringe, Children’s and Young People’s Weekend.
If you’ve never experienced a literature festival before you are in for a treat.
http://www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/whats-on/festival
Pedal in the Park: 6th Oct
Nostell Priory
Fancy getting into cycling but want a gentle start? Join ride leaders from Wakefield District Cycle Forum for an easy bike ride exploring the parkland and beyond the Nostell estate. It’s right on your doorstep so one not to be missed. Once you have bike confidence there are some beautiful quiet roads in the countryside around the site to explore by cycle. (More cycle experiences in later blogs)
Flavours Food Festival 2019: 19-20 October
Elsecar Heritage Centre, Wath Road, Elsecar, Barnsley
A great place to visit made even better. This spectacular two-day event will see the unique historical site transformed into a bustling food and drink market, offering a wide variety of tasty treats and creative displays.
Alongside stalls and street food, there will also be a cookery demonstration theatre positioned outside the Ironworks. A range of great chefs have been booked and will perform a certain amount of demonstrations on both days.
Pontefract Castle Lantern Parade: 19th Oct @18:00
Pontefract Castle
The parade leaves Pontefract Castle heading into the Valley Gardens at 7pm.
It’s organised by Wakefield Council and Pontefract Lioness group Why don’t you take a lantern and join in? Great photos are assured.
Cannon Hall Farm Pumpkin Festival & Wizardry School:Â 19, 20, 26, 31 October
Cannon Hall Farm, Cawthorne, Barnsley
October means Halloween. We have to find an event for kids to dressed up in goulish costumes. I love Cannon Hall at any time of year so what could be better than this day out for kids and grandchildren?
Cannon Hall Farm Pumpkin Festival invites young witches and wizards to join the fun of our Wizardry School. The Pumpkin Patch is returning once again and young witches and wizards will get to ‘graduate’ if they complete the challenges. There are thousands of pumpkins available for visitors to pick – and expert carvers will be on hand to help families create the perfect spooky lantern.
Birding for beginners workshop
RSPB Fairburn Ings, Castleford: 6th October
We are so close to Fairburn Ings and many other great birdwatching opportunities here at Nostell. Join Andy Chapman on this wildlife walk around Fairburn Ings to learn more about the birds that make their home here. The walks will cover resident garden, farmland and water birds but will vary with the seasons to include spring/summer breeding migrants and the huge range of ducks and wildfowl which migrate from the North to overwinter. You will learn how to identify birds by sight and sound before returning to the visitor centre for a bacon, sausage or egg bap and hot drink to warm up.
This is a lovely introduction to the basics of birdwatching and identification and is suitable for beginners and those wanting to improve their knowledge.
This walk should last approximately two hours, please dress for the weather with good footwear.
