Wakefield's Yorkshire Sculpture Park set to reopen - but it needs your help

Hundreds of thousands of visitors normally pass through the Yorkshire Sculpture Park in any other year but it now has to contend with missed footfall as it makes up for lost time.

Nature began taking over while sheep roamed free in the long months the park was closed.

The park closed its doors in March as restrictions on museums, galleries and tourist attractions were introduced.

Though galleries were allowed to open from earlier this month the 500 acres of land plus indoor gallery space at the West Bretton site presented a different set of unique challenges.

But the park will finally be ready to open from next Wednesday – July 29.

During the recovery there was only a small security team on site to protect the art works – one of the largest outdoor collections in Europe – and the untamed landscape was able to take on a wilder character.

YSP deputy director Helen Featherstone said: “There was no estates team in so nature took over and it was wonderful but it may not have been the best visitor experience.

“There’s been a lot of clean up, road sweepers, and moving sculptures – a number of things that ordinary indoor facility wouldn’t have to think about. “The weather means we check all the trees so branches don’t fall.

“Doing a risk assessment of the whole site and landscape to make it safe for visitors while protecting wildlife is incredibly complex. We had an influx of geese and because we didn’t have people on the site the sheep had free rein.

“Some areas will look wilder and we have been respectful of wildlife and nature but people need to be able drive and walk.”

Like many cultural attractions the YSP has been hit hard financially by the pandemic and has been forced to introduce a £6 charge per person, although car parking is now free.

Helen hopes the changes will offset some of the funding lost.

She said the online booking system would also form the backbone of a track and trace system for the gallery.

She said: “We have lost £4 in every £5 in income since we’ve been closed. The YSP is a charity and we have to raise 80 per cent of our funding every year and we did that through car parking charges, catering and retail, but we have had no income since March.

“We know people love the YSP and we need people’s support more than ever to keep the YSP alive and thriving for future generations.”

The new system will also help the YSP monitor visit numbers and create the same tranquil atmosphere it is famous for. The details may be adjusted with time as the park eases back into its stride. Helen said: “We don’t want visitors to feel in a crowded space, we want them to feel they are experiencing nature outdoors and having a calm and pleasant experience.

“People will notice significant differences near the main buildings but not when they are away from it at all.” The Underground Gallery will be open, where visitors can view the vibrant, major exhibition by Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos and the physical gallery shop will be open for business as well as online.”

The cafe will remain closed for the meantime although there will be limited takeout.

Over the coming months, additional galleries including The Weston, Chapel and Longside will open as restrictions and funding permits.

Helen said her team, most of whom were furloughed, were ready to return. She said: “This is what we are here for and everyone is really thrilled to welcome visitors back.”

Similar to attractions across the UK everyone must pre-book a ticket online in advance to gain entry.

A £6 ticket booked through www.ysp.org.uk includes access to the Underground Gallery, open air galleries, YSP grounds and parking.

Under 16s, carers and Max card holders are eligible for a free ticket but must book, so that numbers can be managed on site.

Visitors are asked to pay online and once on site, to follow new directional signage, use hand sanitiser stations and follow one-way systems to keep each other and YSP staff safe. For more information visit www.ysp.org.uk/visit.