Gissing Centre
2-4 Thompson's Yard, Westgate, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 1XH
The Gissing house is just off the wide main street of Westgate where the corn and wool markets were held in previous times. It stands behind the street frontage on which Gissing's father had a busy chemist's shop in the mid-nineteenth century. It is accessed through an archway into Thompson's Yard, one of the Victorian yards or streets which follow the lines of the medieval burgage plots from the main street to the back lane.
The main display in the Centre shows 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, and a model of the extensive building helps an understanding of the life of the Gissing shop and household in this busy town centre location. There are bookcases full of Gissing's novels and short stories, and studies of his writings and life. A small selection of titles by other local writers will also be available to browse. Our volunteers stewards will be on hand to explain how the house was saved when demolition threatened in the 1970s and how the Centre was established by local Gissing enthusiasts.
The Centre has very limited opening hours outside the Heritage Open Days.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 13 September:
- 10am to 4pm
- Sunday 14 September:
- 10am to 4pm
- Saturday 20 September:
- 10am to 4pm
- Sunday 21 September:
- 10am to 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 the first door on the right.
- 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)
