A walk around Wakefield’s first hospital: exploring the West Riding Pauper Lunatic Asylum / Stanley Royd Hospital site
Meet at the junction of Tuke Grove / Bevan Grove at 6pm, Parklands Manor, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 4SR
The West Riding Pauper Lunatic Asylum, later known as Stanley Royd Hospital, opened on Aberford Road, Wakefield in 1818. During its over 175-year history the hospital expanded from 150 beds to over 2,500; with much of the food, clothing and furniture needed by the hospital made onsite by staff and patients.
Stanley Royd Hospital closed in 1995 and has since been redeveloped as Parklands Manor, a private residential estate. Join the Mental Health Museum and Councillor Nat Walton as we walk around the surviving original buildings to see how the hospital evolved. We’ll have stories from the hospital’s history and accounts from some of the people who spent time there.
Timings & Tours
- Tuesday 16 September:
- 1800 tour will run for about 45 minutes
Location & directions
Meet at the junction of Tuke Grove / Bevan Grove at 6pm, Parklands Manor, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 4SR
- Directions:
- At traffic lights exit Aberford Road onto Bevan Grove, then turn left. Meeting point is 6pm at the junction of Tuke Grove and Bevan Grove. If you need to get in touch with staff during the event please call 07769 365894.
- Contact on day:
- Sally
- Telephone number:
- +447769365894
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking required
- Booking conditions:
- Booking is essential. Tickets can be secured here https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/hatchprojects/a-walk-around-wakefield-s-first-hospital-exploring-the-west-riding-pauper-lunatic-asylum-stanley/e-vzbola or by contacting the Mental Health Museum: call 01924 316360 or email [email protected]
- Booking contact name:
- Sally
- Booking telephone number:
- +441924316360
- Booking email:
- [email protected]
- Booking website:
- https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/hatchprojects/a-walk-around-wakefield-s-first-hospital-exploring-the-west-riding-pauper-lunatic-asylum-stanley/e-vzbola
- Booking opens:
- 18 Aug 2025 12:00 AM
- Booking closes:
- 16 Sep 2025 12:00 AM
Accessibility details
The walk will be outdoors and take around 45 minutes, please come prepared for the day’s weather. There are no refreshments or bathroom facilities or any public parking on the site. The closest car park is at Pinderfields Hospital. The Stanley Royd site is flat and wheelchair accessible. Children are welcome to attend at the discretion of their supervising adult and must remain with them throughout the tour. Well behaved dogs are also welcome.
Additional information
The tour will contain details of mental health conditions and medical treatments which some people may find upsetting. Please contact staff at the Mental Health Museum if you are concerned or would like any further information.
- Max no of people per tour:
- 20
- Est. tour duration:
- 0 hour(s) 45 minute(s)
