In pictures: Residents remember their favourite past attractions in Wakefield and the surrounding area

Daniel Camenzuli
·2-min read
ABC Cinema was closed in 1996 and left abandoned before its eventual demolition in January 2023 (Photo: Contributed)
ABC Cinema was closed in 1996 and left abandoned before its eventual demolition in January 2023 (Photo: Contributed)

We asked residents for their suggestions for what venues, attractions and events they missed from Wakefield and the surrounding area, and picked the very best – from pubs to nightclubs to bird sanctuaries – to highlight the highs of West Yorkshire over the years.

READ MORE: Seventy-nine year-old former pub landlady pulls her first pint in 40 years thanks to a Castleford care home (wakefieldexpress.co.uk)

Lightwaves Leisure Centre in Wakefield was originally closed by the council, until it was taken over by the Lightwaves Community Trust in 2012 and saved. It now operates as a leisure and community centre (Photo: Contributed)
Lightwaves Leisure Centre in Wakefield was originally closed by the council, until it was taken over by the Lightwaves Community Trust in 2012 and saved. It now operates as a leisure and community centre (Photo: Contributed)
SuperBowl Wakefield, a bowling alley, was a popular suggestion by our readers for venues and activities in Wakefield they miss! (Photo: Contributed)
SuperBowl Wakefield, a bowling alley, was a popular suggestion by our readers for venues and activities in Wakefield they miss! (Photo: Contributed)
Mustang Sally's, Wakefield, has been a number of different clubs throughout the years - it is now currently operating as Club Nocturno (Photo: Contributed)
Mustang Sally's, Wakefield, has been a number of different clubs throughout the years - it is now currently operating as Club Nocturno (Photo: Contributed)
Clarke Hall, Wakefield, was described as a 'living museum' before its closure in 2012 after its funding was withdrawn (Photo: Contributed)
Clarke Hall, Wakefield, was described as a 'living museum' before its closure in 2012 after its funding was withdrawn (Photo: Contributed)
Pontefract Park used to be popular with families (due to pedal boats) and anglers, with plans in recent years to try and bring back those interested in fishing
Pontefract Park used to be popular with families (due to pedal boats) and anglers, with plans in recent years to try and bring back those interested in fishing
Picture House Cinema, which opened in 1921, was a luxury cinema and theatre for more than four decades before its closure in the 1960s
Picture House Cinema, which opened in 1921, was a luxury cinema and theatre for more than four decades before its closure in the 1960s
Buzz Nightclub closed in 2014 and, following restorations, the building has been filled with bars, offices and shops (Photo: Contributed)
Buzz Nightclub closed in 2014 and, following restorations, the building has been filled with bars, offices and shops (Photo: Contributed)
Lofthouse Golf Club was closed and left derelict in 2019, and was seriously damaged by a fire in recent years (Photo: Contributed)
Lofthouse Golf Club was closed and left derelict in 2019, and was seriously damaged by a fire in recent years (Photo: Contributed)
Following the closure of Quest, the club was changed into a mental health treatment centre in 2016 (Photo: Contributed)
Following the closure of Quest, the club was changed into a mental health treatment centre in 2016 (Photo: Contributed)
Crescent Cinema in Pontefract closed in 1993, before being opened occasionally in recent years as a heritage site (Photo: Contributed)
Crescent Cinema in Pontefract closed in 1993, before being opened occasionally in recent years as a heritage site (Photo: Contributed)
The British Oak, Wakefield, was a popular pub closed in 2013, before being taken over by the Muslim community and opened as the North Wakefield Masjid Mosque. Unfortunately, the refurb proved too costly and the pub has remained empty ever since (Photo: Contributed)
The British Oak, Wakefield, was a popular pub closed in 2013, before being taken over by the Muslim community and opened as the North Wakefield Masjid Mosque. Unfortunately, the refurb proved too costly and the pub has remained empty ever since (Photo: Contributed)
Old Park Farm was once a working farm, before it became a falconry centre in 2005, housing some of the owls from the Harry Potter film - before its closure in 2008 (Photo: Contributed)
Old Park Farm was once a working farm, before it became a falconry centre in 2005, housing some of the owls from the Harry Potter film - before its closure in 2008 (Photo: Contributed)