From world renowned forced rhubarb grown in dark forcing sheds to award winning master butchers, artisan bakeries, and raw local honey, Wakefield and the Five Towns boast an exceptional food scene.
Choosing local food means supporting independent farm shops, master craftsmen, and passionate producers who take pride in real Yorkshire quality, plus it tastes great!
The Worker Bee Honey Co.
Operating in Ackworth, The Worker Bee Honey Co. produces 100% pure, raw local honey alongside natural beeswax skincare products. Harvested directly from local hives across the district, their honey retains all its natural pollen and delicate floral flavours, making it a true taste of the local countryside.
Chox Chocolates
Based in Blacker Hall and Holmfirth, Chox Chocolates is an artisan chocolatier crafting luxury, hand-carved chocolates and sweet gifts. Using premium ingredients, they produce exquisite chocolate truffles, seasonal creations, and custom bars that offer a tasty local alternative to mass produced confectionery.
Fairburn Farm Shop
Situated on the district edge near Castleford, Fairburn Farm Shop is a daily stocked cubby, dedicated to fresh regional food. Have a look on their socials with what is there daily as it changes, however you can expect farm grown vegetables, artisan preserves, and home baked goods.
Farmer Copleys
Located near Pontefract, Farmer Copleys is one of the district’s best farm food destinations. Featuring an expansive butchers stocked with locally reared meats, a busy bakery creating out fresh pies and pastries, a jam and ice cream hub where they make the best lemon curd you’ve ever had, and a massive farm shop showcasing regional delicacies, it stands out as an essential hub for food lovers.
Cryer & Stott Cheesemongers
Based in Castleford with long-standing market roots in Pontefract, Cryer & Stott are acclaimed regional cheesemongers. Alongside championing fine British cheeses, they craft their own signature creations, including their famous Rhubarb Cheese made with local forced rhubarb.
Boulbys Bakery
A beloved institution in Horbury, Boulbys Bakery is a traditional family run craft bakery and cafe known for its daily fresh bread and baked goods. From crisp loaves and confectionary to classic Yorkshire traybakes, their recipes have kept the local community fed for generations.
Betsy’s Cake and Coffee
Tucked away in Crofton, Betsy’s Cake and Coffee is an independent bakery and café specialising in handcrafted sweet treats. Renowned for custom celebration cakes, decadent traybakes, and freshly baked scones, everything is made in house with real care and local flair.
Bakes by Vanilla Bean
Bakes by Vanilla Bean is a Wakefield based boutique baker famous for gourmet sweet creations and savoury goodness. From loaded brownies and stuffed cookies to custom celebration cakes and focaccia sandwiches, their bakes and drinks are exquisite and well worth the trip into town.
Allums Butchers
With decades of heritage in Wakefield, Allums Butchers is a classic master butcher committed to quality. They source high grade Yorkshire meats, crafting award winning pork pies, hand rolled sausages, and traditional cuts prepared by skilled butchers. Any butcher in the shop can tell you exactly which high quality local farm each item of meat came from, all butchered and prepared on site.
R.H. Binks & Sons
Located in Horbury, R.H. Binks & Sons is a celebrated master butcher renowned across the district for quality and service. Sourcing meats from the best Yorkshire farms, they are especially famous for their quality beef, ready meals, and hot pork pies.
Rhubarb Triangle Farm Shop
Positioned in Carlton at the heart of the historic Rhubarb Triangle, this farm shop celebrates the very best of regional food. Beyond stocking fresh local produce, artisan preserves, and cheeses, they pay special homage to the area’s iconic Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb during the harvest season.
Blacker Hall Farm Shop
Situated in Calder Grove near Wakefield, Blacker Hall Farm is an award-winning farm shop featuring meat raised directly on their family farm. Their impressive setup includes an expert butchery counter, in house bakery, fresh cheese counter, and extensive delicatessen showcase. There’s always family friendly events on and a little petting farm included.
Cridling
Operating out of Cridling Stubbs, Cridling produces small-batch artisan raw honey, kombucha, and honey infused botanical goods. By combining traditional bee keeping practices with modern craftsmanship, they create unique, high end Yorkshire honey products.
Loaf Thy Neighbour
Loaf Thy Neighbour is an independent micro-bakery delivering small-batch, handcrafted sourdough loaves and speciality artisan breads. Focusing on slow fermentation and simple, natural ingredients, their loaves are a favourite fixture across local food markets.
E. Oldroyd & Sons
Operating out of Carlton, E. Oldroyd & Sons are 5th generation high priests of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb. Grown in complete darkness inside heated forcing sheds and harvested by candlelight, their rhubarb is the district’s most famous global culinary export.
Horncastle Farm
Located in Havercroft, Horncastle Farm is a family run farm producing raw local honey, sustainable vegetables, home brewed gin, and seasonal produce. Home to The Tatie Shed restaurant, they deliver authentic farm to fork produce grown on site.
Pickerings of Pontefract
Situated on Gillygate in central Pontefract, Pickerings is a beloved master butcher and bakery. Famous across the Five Towns, they serve locally sourced meats, some of which is dry ages, legendary pies and pastries, and hot roast beef sandwiches.
Recent Coffee
Born in Castleford with their flagship roastery and cafe on Westgate in Wakefield, Recent roasts specialty grade coffee beans fresh every morning. Sourcing ethically grown coffee beans from around the world, they bring world class coffee roasting right to the heart of the district.
Bakehouse Three Nine
Operating out of the historic Queen’s Mill on the River Aire in Castleford, Bakehouse Three Nine is an artisan micro bakery. They craft delicious slow fermentation sourdough loaves, flaky pastries, and sweet bakes using traditional baking methods in a historic milling location.
