Wakefield to Manchester drive: Distance, time & best stops
The best road trip stops on the Wakefield to Manchester drive are Leeds, Oakwell Hall and Marsden Moor. The distance from Wakefield to Manchester by car is 47 miles, with a 1h10m driving time.
Finding the best things to do between Wakefield and Manchester
The drive from Wakefield to Manchester takes you from a surprisingly arty Yorkshire city to a global hotbed of music and sport.
Wakefield has a cathedral and a ruined castle, but its main attraction is the Hepworth Wakefield, a sculpture gallery named in honour of local artist Barbara Hepworth.
The best ways of exploring Manchester are on a story-packed Rock and Goal walking tour, which pays particular attention to Manchester’s music scene and football heritage, or a river cruise.
Top Manchester experiences include the Manchester City stadium tour, treasure hunts, craft beer tours, Northern Quarter street art walks and cheese crawls.
Wakefield to Manchester distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Wakefield to Manchester is 47 miles. You can expect a driving time of around one hour and ten minutes. The quickest route goes along Bradford Road then the M62. The best stops on the Wakefield to Manchester drive are Leeds, Oakwell Hall and Marsden Moor.
Wakefield to Manchester drive: Leeds
In Leeds, the Royal Armouries is the big hitter attraction, with several floors of armour, weapons and warcraft. The Leeds City Museum is a thoughtfully presented all-rounder, and the expansive Roundhay Park offers a series of gorgeous gardens.
The best Leeds activities include food tours that visit top local restaurants and Emmerdale filming locations bus tours.
Best stops between Wakefield and Manchester: Oakwell Hall
Oakwell Hall is a key stop on the Bronte trail around West Yorkshire. Charlotte Bronte stayed here in the 1830s, and it later became Fieldhead in her novel, Shirley.
This Elizabethan manor house is Grade I Listed and supposedly haunted. It is furnished to look as it would have done in the 1830s, and the country park outside has nature trails and period gardens.
Wakefield to Manchester road trip attractions: Marsden Moor
The M62 crosses Marsden Moor, and there are several moody moorland walks available. The ten mile Standedge Circuit is the one for those want a vigorous workout, but the National Trust lists several alternatives.
If you just want a quick photo, however, pull over at the Buckstones car park on the A640. Sometimes known as Marsden View, you can see down to the Deanhead Reservoir from here.
More Wakefield road trips
More Manchester road trips
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