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Spiritual Wakefield
If you live in or near Wakefield, this page brings the night sky, the old sites and the seasons together in one place. It covers where to find properly dark skies, what the sun and moon are doing across the year at Wakefield's latitude (53.7°N), the heritage and folklore places nearby, and when to order so your crystals, tarot or candles arrive in time.
Chantry Chapel on Wakefield Bridge. Photo: Enchufla Con Clave, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Region West Yorkshire
- Dark skies Yorkshire Dales International Dark Sky Reserve
- Delivery UK delivery £3.95, free over £40, 2–5 working days
Places to visit
Real photographs, with directions. Tap a map link to open the exact spot.
History, folklore and tips
The history
Wakefield's bridge chapel, built in the 14th century, is one of only four surviving medieval bridge chapels in England. The Wakefield Mystery Plays are one of four surviving cycles of medieval biblical plays.
Visiting tips
- The Chantry Chapel opens on set days.
- Wakefield Cathedral is free.
- The Hepworth Wakefield gallery is nearby.
From the shop
Shop for Wakefield
Candles and gifts, delivered across Wakefield. UK delivery £3.95, free over £40, 2–5 working days.
Sky almanac for Wakefield
Dark skies and stargazing near Wakefield
Dark skies and stargazing near Wakefield
The nearest certified dark-sky place to Wakefield is Yorkshire Dales International Dark Sky Reserve, about 74 km (46 miles) away as the crow flies. The next nearest is North York Moors International Dark Sky Reserve, about 86 km (53 miles) away. The best nights are clear, moonless ones around a new moon. The next new moons are on 9 November, 9 December, 7 January, 6 February. Find event dates on the Yorkshire Dales International Dark Sky Reserve website.
Sunrise, sunset and the moon in Wakefield
Sunrise, sunset and the moon in Wakefield
At the June solstice on 21 June 2027, the sun rises in Wakefield at about 04:35 and sets at about 21:40 (BST), giving 17h 4m of daylight, 26 minutes more than in London. At the December solstice on 21 December 2026 it rises at about 08:21 and sets at about 15:47 (GMT), giving only 7h 26m. Around the March equinox (20 March 2027), sunrise is about 06:11 and sunset about 18:17. Between roughly 14 May and 31 July, the sun never sinks far enough below the horizon for full astronomical darkness, so the faintest stars and the Milky Way are hard to see. In folk tradition the full moon marks the month. The next full moons fall on 24 November, 24 December, 22 January, 20 February, 22 March. Times are calculated (NOAA formulas) and approximate.
Best times of year
Best times of year
If you only plan a few nights a year from Wakefield, choose clear, moonless nights in the colder months.
On the Geminid peak night of 13–14 December 2026 the sky over Wakefield is fully dark from about 17:56, and the moon is only 21% lit, so it is a very good year for them. The Geminids are the richest shower of the year and the radiant is up almost all night.
For the Perseids in August 2027 the moon is 84% lit and sets over Wakefield at about 01:02, so the best watching is after moonset and before dawn. Full darkness on 12 August starts around 23:27 at 53.7°N.
Yorkshire Dales International Dark Sky Reserve is about 74 km away if you want truly dark skies; otherwise a park or field away from streetlights will still show the brighter meteors.
On 2 August 2027 a partial solar eclipse is visible across the UK, weather permitting. Never look at the sun without certified eclipse glasses.
Wakefield: local questions
Where is the nearest dark sky reserve to Wakefield?
The nearest certified dark-sky place is Yorkshire Dales International Dark Sky Reserve, roughly 74 km away in a straight line.
What time is sunrise in Wakefield on the summer solstice?
About 04:35 BST on 21 June 2027, with sunset about 21:40.
Are there ancient or sacred sites near Wakefield?
Yes. Nearby places include Chantry Chapel of St Mary the Virgin, The Wakefield (Towneley) Mystery Plays. See the heritage section for details.
How much is delivery to Wakefield?
UK delivery to Wakefield is £3.95 and free on orders over £40. Most orders arrive within 2–5 working days.
Photographs are from Wikimedia Commons under the licences shown, resized and converted for the web. Folklore is described as tradition. Starseed UK makes no health claims for any product.