What's On and Things To Do Around Knottingley

This is 80s Night like never before! BELINDA CARLISE once said "PONTEFRACT IS A PLACE ON EARTH" and she will be joining us for some exciting evening of racing before performing some of her greatest hits!

We’re lucky enough to have some fantastic sporting action on our doorstep in West Yorkshire. Not only do we have racing here in Pontefract, we have some world class Rugby League teams: Castleford Tigers, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Huddersfield Giants and Featherstone Rovers.

Join Pontefract’s 10k road race, and go the extra-mile to show you care! Whether you’re an experienced runner or you’re just starting out, put on your running shoes, grab your family and friends and give it your all to cross the finish line – all in support of The Prince of Wales Hospice.

2018 We are here ! From breath taking stunts, laugh out loud comedy to beautiful artistry, the Paulos family have created a show to give you and your family ever lasting memories. The quality goes in before our name goes on. Paulos Circus 2018 Creating Memories Tour, coming to your town soon !

Hell’s Circus is Coming to the Bigtop ! Paulos Circus will be playing host to ’’Hell’s Circus’’ From fire eaters, axes & whips, pole dancer to a potty mouth clown and lots of audience participation This is an 18+ event, ID may be required.

Settle down with a hot cuppa and a gripping read in Nostell’s second-hand book shop. Open Tuesday - Sunday, 12 - 4pm from Saturday 14 April until Sunday 28 October 2018. You’ll find many titles to choose from at very reasonable prices.

Enjoy an hour’s walk around Nostell’s picturesque parkland. Get some free exercise with a gentle stroll around the park led by our experienced walk leader. Join the group of regular walkers to take in the changing seasons and enjoy a cuppa in the cafe each week. Booking Not Needed. Children welcome.

Visit this brand new exhibition to discover how Thomas Chippendale made his name: from the publication of his pattern book of furniture designs to masterminding entire rooms in the latest 18th century fashions for Rowland Winn at Nostell.

Join us in 2018 as we celebrate 300 years since the birth of Thomas Chippendale, one of the most influential English designers in history.

Thomas Chippendale inspired countless designers and craftspeople to copy his styles, techniques and trademark quality. Be part of the #Chipster generation in 2018 by joining in creative workshops to make your own masterpieces.

Join in this free weekly 5km timed run through the parkland, which is open to everyone, free, safe and easy to take part in. People of every ability are encouraged to get involved; from those taking their first steps in running to Olympians; from juniors to those with more experience; all are welcome.

As part of a small group, with lots of help on hand from our resident expert MC Woodcrafts, you can create and craft your own natural wooden creation to take home. All tools and materials are provided. Discover the woodlands ecology and good green woodwork practices.

Join the weekly junior parkrun, a timed 2km run for children aged 4 - 14. It’s open to all, free, safe and easy to take part in - what are you waiting for' Starting from the Stables the 2km course takes you up to Obelisk Lodge and back through Nostell’s woodland and rolling parkland.

Join ride leaders from Wakefield District Cycle Forum for an easy bike ride exploring the parkland and beyond the Nostell estate. Following an experienced leader, you’ll meet new people, discover new cycle routes and explore the countryside.

Kick off your May half-term with messy fun in the adventure playground. Join in hands-on fun outdoors this bank holiday. Perfect for littlies under 5, but big kids welcome too! Booking Not Needed. Assistance Dogs only are welcome.

Have an aspiring runner in your family aged 4-9' Come and join Ackworth Junior Runners for running fun and games on the vistas. Meeting every Monday, April - August, it’s the perfect way to get outdoors and active.

Learn a little about looking after the Nostell’s wildlife and explore the parkland this May half-term with a wild day outdoors. Hunt for meadow bugs in Obelisk Park and see how many creepy crawlies you can spot.

Join the Nordic walking group every Tuesday for some exercise in the parkland to boost your fitness and your mood! Using the poles, you can tone the upper and lower body at the same time and burn nearly twice as many calories than ordinary walking.

Get active this May half-term and explore Nostell on two wheels. Join Wakefield District Cycle Forum to test your cycle skills and pick up top tips for maintaining your bike. Don’t miss the bike-only woodland trails for a few more twists and turns. Booking Not Needed. Dogs on leads welcome.

Join us in The Workshop, our new creative space at Nostell for a drop-in craft session. This season we will be looking at some simple book binding methods. During your house visit, take a break to try out different craft activities in a relaxing, informal environment. Suitable for all adults.

Take part in this year’s Summer of Sport and join Wakefield District Cycle Forum to test your cycle skills on the vista. Test your new found skills on the family friendly bike-only woodland cycle trails. Booking Not Needed.

Get creative this May half-term and design a Chippendale chair in the Workshop. From designing the highest quality furniture, to sourcing the latest fashions in wallpaper, textiles and fittings, Thomas Chippendale a world of interiors for Nostell.

Enjoy an hour’s walk around Nostell’s picturesque parkland. Get some free exercise with a gentle stroll around the park led by our experienced walk leader. Join the group of regular walkers to take in the changing seasons and enjoy a cuppa in the cafe each week. Booking Not Needed. Children welcome.

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. These short rides are ideal for beginners, families and those wanting to build their confidence.

Join in fortnightly stories, crafts and outdoor activities with your mini adventurers, especially for under 5s. Each session we’ve different activities themed around a story book, from planting seeds like Mr McGregor and going on a bear hunt to making mud pies like Superworm.

Explore Nostell’s flora, fauna and history in this 2.5 mile guided walk across the parkland. Our knowledgeable guides will share the history and geography of the estate, from the original Augustinian priory to the architecture that you can see today including Druid’s Bridge and Robert Adam’s Obelisk...

Bring the whole family to Nostell’s annual bioblitz event to help look after the resident wildlife here. Drop in throughout the day to pick up your counting sheets and head out into the gardens and parkland to spot bees, birds, butterflies and creepy crawlies.

Learn all about the Winn family’s love of horses and the hidden areas of the stable block that visitors don’t normally see.

Book on to this behind-the-scenes tour to see parts of the house not normally open to visitors. You’ll visit the cellars and near derelict servants’ quarters to learn how the family and their servants lived and worked at Nostell. Booking Essential. Phone: 01924 863892.

Learn a few secrets from Nostell’s kitchen gardener, from growing giant onions to the perfect potatoes. Join Mark in the kitchen garden for his top tips for growing fruit and veg, with seasonal highlights including rhubarb, herbs and summer fruits.

Overlooking a secluded valley, garden incl large herbaceous borders containing over 3000 varieties of perennials, shrubs and trees, many of which are unusual and drought tolerant. Ornamental pond, vegetable garden and walled terraces leading to wild flower meadow, small woodland, bog garden and wildlife lakes.

Come along to our woodland and nature pond this May and use our newly constructed pond dipping platform to search for fascinating pond creatures. You will need to have your best spotting skills at the ready as many of these creatures are very small.

Come and explore this beautiful medieval church and the old village of Kirkthorpe as well as a chance to buy good quality spring/summer plants. There will be guided tours available and a chance to climb the bell tower and try bell ringing. Enjoy a cuppa and home made cake in the cafe.

Starting at St Peter’s Church then up to Heath on foot, why not join us for a fun afternoon. First prize is a voucher for Heath Tea Rooms. Afternoon Cream Teas will be served in the Church Hall cafe before the the Treasure Hunt.

2 acre garden built on a disused railway track and started in 2003. Comprising of flower, rose, conifer beds, a vegetable garden with raised beds, greenhouse and a herb potager area. An interesting feature is ’Ironhenge’ an unusual use of scrap metal.

2 acre garden built on a disused railway track and started in 2003. Comprising of flower, rose, conifer beds, a vegetable garden with raised beds, greenhouse and a herb potager area. An interesting feature is ’Ironhenge’ an unusual use of scrap metal.

Singing songs and making music together is a fantastic way of supporting the development and well-being of children under 4 - and it’s fun for adults too!

TICKETS: £12.50 Join Europe’s Best BeeGees Tribute Band for a night to remember. Full Tribute Show & performance from Luke Flear followed by a Disco. Fancy dress welcome. DOORS OPEN: 7pm - 11:30pm - Limited Seating Available. Licenced Bar & Bar Snacks Available. (Bar open until 11:15pm).

Race for Life Pretty Muddy is our brilliant 5k muddy obstacle course. Scramble over the A-frame. Crawl through the mud pit. Have fun with your friends. And raise valuable funds for BEATING CANCER.

Race for Life Pretty Muddy Kids is our brilliant muddy obstacle course just for the little ones. They can take on the obstacles, crawl through the mud pit and have fun with friends, all the while helping raise valuable funds for BEATING CANCER.

Lace up your trainers and prepare to take on the Race for Life Half Marathon. We will be there to support you every step of the way. So take up the challenge and together we’ll BEAT CANCER.

This is a 5k suitable for all abilities. This is thousands of women uniting with one purpose. Walk, jog or run. Raise valuable funds for research. THIS IS BEATING CANCER.

10k is a great step up from our 5k events. Up the challenge and take part in a Race for Life 10k event. Walk, jog or run. Raise valuable funds for research. THIS IS BEATING CANCER.

Family friendly, make and take craft activities inspired by our Circus 250 exhibition.

As part of the bicentenary of the death of Humphry Repton, the landscape gardener, Dr Patrick Eyres will talk about Repton’s work in Yorkshire. There will be chance to see Repton’s Red Book for Oulton Hall that is in the WYAS collection.

New to using archives or stuck on a piece of research? Book a 45 minute slot where you will receive one-to one guidance from our professional Archive team to help guide you through using our fascinating collections.

The Christians and Hue & Cry: Tickets avaiable.

In a very cold, grey town, not too far from here, hidden behind a crumbling wall and a thousand signs which say ‘KEEP OUT’, lives...the Selfish Giant. So selfish he shut away garden where the children used to play and cursed the town to never ending winter. Or so the story goes...

Written and illustrated by Charlotte Middleton and adapted for the stage by Claire Alizon Hills, Topsy Turvy Theatre, the company who brought you Ruby Flew Too! and Isabel’s Well, proudly present the charming Christopher Nibble in a tale of dandelion daring-do!