Oakwell Hall is just a few minutes drive off the M62, from either Junction 26 from the West or 27 from the East.

Healing Heritage: Garden Walk and Workshop Discover the magic of Oakwell Halls historic gardens! Join our team for a guided walk exploring the folklore and traditional uses of herbs for healing and protection After the walk, take part in a hands-on workshop where youll create your own: Sleep remedy Potion ball Cleansing sage stick Tuesday 26th May 2026 Family Session: 10am12pm Adults only Session: 1pm3pm Adults 5 Children (over 5) 3.50 These session have been kindly subsidised by University of Manchester. If you book and can not attend please let us know so we can offer the space elsewhere. Thank you! Book now Come connect with nature, history, and a touch of herbal magic.

The Leeds Waits Return! The Private Life of Henry VII Wednesday 29th April 11:00am Duration: approx. 90 minutes Step into a royal world of wit, intrigue, and music as The Leeds Waits return to Oakwell Hall with The Private Life of Henry VII a delightfully irreverent journey through the courts of Europe as a recently widowed king begins the hunt for a second wife. Is he seeking comfort? A spare to the heir? Or simply a welltimed boost to the royal coffers? (Spoiler: probably all three.) Expect a painless history lesson mostly accurate, gloriously cheeky, and leaving no scandal unexplored woven together with live period music that brings every twist of the tale to life. Music of the era Stories of royal schemes and matrimonial mischief Humour, history, and audience participation encouraged Whether you're a history buff, a music lover, or simply in the mood for something delightfully different, this performance promises entertainment fit for a king. Join us for a morning of merriment, melody, and monarchy!

Frog In The Park: A fun, creative, and curious experience for adults and families of all ages. Join us for a unique live performance by artist Simon Woolham (AKA The Frog), exploring the playful and unpredictable Frogs response to artworks in the The National Gallerys Art On Your Doorstep exhibition. Watch as the frog engages with these artworks in surprising and often humorous ways! This event will be professionally filmed, capturing both the performance and the frogs reactions for inclusion in a forthcoming exhibition at the University of Huddersfield Cultures of Film. The event includes a 2km walk through Oakwell Hall Country Park, visiting all 14 National Gallery Art On Your Doorstep paintings. Please be aware that some paths have uneven ground, so we recommend wearing sensible footwear. Please note: One of the paintings is only accessible via steps. Please note: This event will be filmed throughout. By attending, you may appear in the final exhibition footage. 25 April 1:00pm 3:00pm Meet at the Visitor Centre Courtyard

Art On Your Doorstep Curator Tour Join Dr Janine Sykes, curator of Art On Your Doorstep, for an engaging curator-led tour. Discover the stories behind the artworks, their connection to the local landscape, and how national collections can inspire communities. The event includes a 2km walk through Oakwell Hall Country Park, visiting all 14 National Gallery Art On Your Doorstep paintings. Please be aware that some paths have uneven ground, so we recommend wearing sensible footwear. Please note: One of the paintings is only accessible via steps. Tour Dates & Times: 27 April 1pm 6 May 1pm 3 June 1pm 1 July 1pm Meet in the Visitor Centre Courtyard

On the anniversary of the Battle of Adwalton Moor, step back into one of Yorkshires most dramatic moments as The Leeds Waits return to bring the story of the English Civil War vividly to life. Through music, narrative, and living history, discover how Yorkshire leaders such as Sir William Savile and Sir Thomas Fairfax shaped the conflict, and explore the key battles fought across the county including the pivotal Battle of Adwalton Moor. Music of the Royalist and Parliamentarian Armies Experience the contrasting sounds of war: bold Royalist bravado, disciplined Parliamentarian marches, and the everyday tunes that followed soldiers into camp and onto the battlefield. Stories of Yorkshires Civil War Leaders & Campaigns Hear how local families of power, politics, and principle helped decide the fate of a nation. Living History Display Get up close with the clothing, equipment, and personal belongings of 17thcentury soldiers modelled by Civil War Reenactors! Following the performance in The Hall, reenactors will take to The Walled Garden for a dynamic demonstration featuring drill, equipment displays, and demonstrations of battlefield formations. (Please note, the demonstration will be noisy!)

The Leeds Waits Return! Travel through time with The Leeds Waits as they open their personal costume collection to reveal how fashion from the 17th to the 19th centuries reflected status, identity, practicality, and changing taste. This relaxed and fascinating session offers a rare, closeup look at real historical garments and highquality reproductions, showing how people dressed across three remarkable centuries of social, political, and cultural change.

The Bard and His Music Wednesday 15th July 11:00am Step into the soundworld of Elizabethan England as The Leeds Waits reveal the musical life of the worlds most famous playwright. William Shakespeare didnt just write for the stage he wrote for music, surrounding his plays with songs, dances, and musicians drawn from the thriving cultural scene of his day. Shakespeare the MusicLover Discover how Will Shakespeare mixed with the finest composers and performers of the Elizabethan and Jacobean courts. Learn how the playhouses relied on live music, from rousing processions to haunting laments, and how Shakespeare used melody, rhythm, and musical imagery to deepen drama and delight audiences. Music in the Plays Explore the songs woven through his comedies, histories, and tragedies from the mischief of Twelfth Night and Much Ado About Nothing to the melancholy beauty of Hamlet and The Tempest. Hear how references to ballads, instruments, dance tunes, and popular songs reveal character, mood, and hidden meaning. Dances, Ballads & Courtly Sounds The Leeds Waits bring the era to life with: Authentic instruments of Shakespeares lifetime Popular tunes the Bard would have known Courtly dances, tavern songs, and theatre music Stories behind the melodies that shaped his world A Glimpse into Shakespeares Everyday Life Uncover the bustling streets, noisy taverns, noble households, and bustling theatres that shaped Shakespeares ears as well as his writing. Music wasnt just entertainment; it was part of daily life, politics, romance, and ritual. Whether youre a Shakespeare fan, a music lover, or simply curious about the culture of the Elizabethan stage, this lively and tuneful talk promises insight, humour, and beautifully played period music. Join us for a celebration of the Bard, his world, and the music that inspired him.

Joseph Priestley & Joseph Wright of Derby: Context & Connections Talk & Curators Tour Sunday 27th September Join our Curator and the Friends of Oakwell Hall for a fascinating afternoon exploring the work of artist Joseph Wright and local scientist Joseph Priestley, uncovering the surprising connections between their worlds. 2:30pm Learn about Priestleys ground-breaking scientific discoveries, Wrights atmospheric paintings, and the shared themes that link their work.(Capacity limited to 25 members of the public.) 3:00pm Curators Tour Enjoy an in-depth guided tour led by Dr Janine Sykes, offering fresh insights into the artworks and their historical context. Come along for an inspiring blend of art, science, and local heritage.

The Bronts @ the NG Curators Tour Discover the National Gallery through Bront eyes. Join us for a fascinating curator-led tour exploring when the Bront sisters visited the National Gallerytwice!and what the Gallery looked like during their time. Learn about their visits, the artworks they encountered, and how these experiences may have influenced their writing. Each selected painting on the tour is paired with a handpicked literary quote from one of the novels, offering a rich and atmospheric connection between the art and the world of the Bronts. Perfect for adults with an interest in literature, history, or art, this unique experience brings together storytelling, heritage, and visual culture.

Mini Professors: Exploring the Worlds of Joseph Priestley & Joseph Wright of Derby Date: Tuesday 25th August Session: Mini Professors Families (Ages 512) Times: Session 1: 11:00am 12:00pm Session 2: 1:00pm 2:00pm Join us for a fun, hands-on Mini Professors workshop where we dive into the remarkable worlds of scientist Joseph Priestley and painter Joseph Wright of Derby. Children will explore science, art, and discovery through engaging activities designed to spark curiosity and creativity. Perfect for families with children aged 512. Come ready to experiment, create, and learn! Children must be accompanied at all times. Please book a ticket for your child and accompanying adults. This event has kindly been sponsored by The Friends of Oakwell Hall. Tickets are limited. If you are unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your space to another family. Thank you.

Healing Heritage: Children's Workshop Discover how people in the past used plants and herbs for healing and protection. Children will learn about traditional herbal uses and folklore through gentle, hands-on activities linked to the sites history. Dates: Tuesday 21st July 2026 & Tuesday 28th July 2026 Sessions:11:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 2:00pm Tickets: Book via TicketSource Price: 3.50 per child (accompanying adults free) An enjoyable way to explore history and heritage together. Important information: Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please note that activities will involve handling herbs, so please be mindful of potential allergies when booking

National Gallery: Art on Your Doorstep: Family Art Club at Oakwell Hall Bring the National Gallery to life with these fun, hands-on art workshops inspired by paintings in the Art on Your Doorstep exhibition. Children will explore famous paintings, learn simple techniques used by wellknown artists, and create their own artwork using a variety of materials. Sessions are practical, creative and designed to encourage observation, imagination and confidence. Age group: 612 years Group size: Maximum 15 children per session plus accompanying adults Venue: The Barn, Visitor Centre Courtyard, Oakwell Hall Dates & Times Thursdays in August: 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th Sessions: 11am 12 noon 1pm 2pm Session Themes Thursday 6 August Claude Monet Impressionism Explore how short strokes placed next to each other blend when viewed from a distance. Create an impressionist-style artwork using oil pastels. Joseph Wright of Derby Chiaroscuro Discover dramatic light and dark contrasts using charcoal to create bold drawings. Thursday 13 August Philip de Koninck Landscapes & Perspective Learn how artists create depth and distance in landscapes using pencil. Vincent Van Gogh - Wheatfield-Inspired Art Create a swirling, expressive version of an Oakwell scene using oil pastels. Thursday 20 August John Constables The Hay Wain Close-up landscape sketching inspired by Oakwells surroundings using pencil. Hans Holbein Portraits Think about what tells your story. Design a portrait showing your favourite objects and interests using mixed materials. Thursday 27 August Hans Holbein Women & Animals Explore symbols and meanings. Draw a selfportrait including animals or objects that represent who you are using mixed materials. Henri Rousseau Layered Nature Use repeated shapes and shades of the same colour to build up a natural scene with oil pastels. All materials are provided. Sessions are suitable for beginners and no previous art experience is needed. Booking essential spaces are limited. Children must be accompanied.

Oakwell Hall Garden Volunteer Taster Session Dates: Sunday 10th May 2026 Times: 10:00am12:00pm & 1:00pm3:00pm (You are welcome to stay for both sessions) Location:Oakwell Hall Walled Garden Curious about volunteering in a beautiful historic garden? Join us for a free gardening volunteer taster session at Oakwell Hall Country Park and see what our friendly gardening group gets up to. This relaxed session is a chance to meet the team, try out a few light gardening tasks, and find out if volunteering with us is right for you. No experience is needed just an interest in being outdoors and giving it a go. What to expect A warm welcome from our Country Park staff An introduction to the gardens and volunteer roles Gentle, handson gardening activities The opportunity to ask questions and meet other volunteers You can take part at your own pace, with support throughout, and no obligation to continue after the session. Practical Information Location: Oakwell Hall Country Park Age: 18+ What to bring: Sturdy footwear and weatherappropriate clothing Gloves and equipment are provided