Back to results

Gissing Centre

2-4 Thompson's Yard, Westgate, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 1XH

  • Multiple dates available
  • In person
  • Pre-booking not required

The Gissing Centre is a small museum celebrating local writers, based in the childhood home of George Gissing (1857-1903) the late-Victorian novelist. The Centre invites visitors into a Victorian house in the heart of Wakefield.

A display has been created to show locations used in one of Gissing's novels, A Life's Morning, much of which was set in a thinly-disguised Wakefield. There are films to view about Gissing's life and that of his family. Volunteer stewards will be on hand to explain how the Centre was established, and a model of the extensive building helps an understanding of the life of the Gissing household in this busy town centre location. There are bookcases full of Gissing's works and studies of his writings and life. A small selection of titles by other local writers will also be available to browse.

Further drawings of Wakefield from the early nineteenth century will be on display.

The Centre has very limited opening hours outside the Heritage Open Days.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 07 September:
10am - 4pm
Sunday 08 September:
10am - 4pm
Sunday 15 September:
10am - 4pm

Location & directions

2-4 Thompson's Yard, Westgate, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 1XH

Directions:
The Gissing Centre is in the centre of Wakefield, not far from the railway station and the bus station. It is the first house through the archway of Thompson's Yard at the top of Westgate. The yard entrance is beside the HSBC Bank, and the entrance is in the back section of the NatWest Bank.
Contact on day:
Lesley Taylor
Telephone number:
+447896249884

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:
Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

The Gissing Centre is on the first floor of the house with a step from the yard and two flights of stairs with a good banister for access to the Museum's small suite of rooms. There is a toilet on this floor. There is space for one pram or two pushchairs in the entrance on the ground floor.

Additional information

Max no of people per tour:
10
Est. tour duration:
0 hour(s) 45 minute(s)

Check out our online channels

Back to results