One of Yorkshire's most beautiful days out has a must-see new exhibition this summer

If you're looking for a day out that combines art, nature and some of the best scenery in Yorkshire, Yorkshire Sculpture Park should be firmly on your summer list.

Set across 500 acres of rolling parkland near Wakefield, the world-renowned attraction has long been one of Yorkshire's greatest cultural treasures. It's the sort of place you can visit time and time again and always discover something new, whether that's a sculpture hidden amongst the trees, a new exhibition or simply a different view across the landscape.

And this summer, there's even more reason to visit.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park has just launched Hold to This Earth, a major exhibition bringing together 67 works by 38 contemporary Indigenous North American artists. Running until April 2027, it's one of the most ambitious exhibitions ever staged at the attraction and the first group exhibition to take over YSP's Underground Gallery.

But what makes it feel so special is how naturally it sits within the wider Yorkshire Sculpture Park experience.

More than just a gallery

One of the reasons Yorkshire Sculpture Park remains such a popular destination is that it never feels like a traditional gallery visit. You can spend the morning wandering through historic parkland, stopping to admire sculptures dotted across the landscape, before heading indoors to explore world-class exhibitions.

It's art, but without the formality. The addition of Hold to This Earth only enhances that experience. The exhibition explores themes of land, identity, community and connection to nature through sculpture, photography, textiles, film and installation works by artists representing more than 35 Tribal Nations.

Given Yorkshire Sculpture Park's extraordinary setting, surrounded by woodland, lakes and open countryside, it feels like a particularly fitting place to experience the exhibition.

A summer day out worth travelling for

Alongside the exhibition itself, visitors can also discover several outdoor installations positioned throughout the park, creating moments of surprise amongst the landscape and encouraging people to engage with both the artwork and the environment around them.

It's exactly the kind of experience Yorkshire Sculpture Park does so well. And while the new exhibition is undoubtedly a major draw this summer, it's also a reminder of why YSP continues to be one of the North's most loved attractions.

Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning for your tenth, there's something incredibly special about spending a few hours here. Pack a picnic, grab a coffee from the visitor centre and give yourself plenty of time to wander. Because some of the best summer days out don't require a packed itinerary. Sometimes they just require a beautiful Yorkshire landscape, world-class art and a few hours to explore.

Hold to This Earth: Works by Contemporary Indigenous North American Artists from Tia Collection

📍 Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield

📅 Running until 18 April 2027

🎟 Included with Yorkshire Sculpture Park admission

For more information visit: ysp.org.uk