WAKEFIELD

“Rhubarb Express trains were filled to the brim with precious pink cargo”

FOOD & DRINK MARKET

The Rhubarb REVOLUTION

Wakefield prepares to paint the city pink with their 15th annual Rhubarb Festival, returning to celebrate the city’s heritage this February

RHUBARB FORCING SHED RHUBARB FESTIVAL

Alongside Leeds and Bradford, Wakefield is part of the renowned nine square mile area of West Yorkshire known as The Rhubarb Triangle, where rhubarb is grown in special sheds in a process known as “forcing”.

It all began in 1877 when a Leeds family took advantage of the perfect soil conditions necessary for the growth of the rhubarb’s substantial root systems, combined with the cold weather and high rainfall in the Pennines necessary to the development of the plant.

West Yorkshire is believed to be the first place in the world where special sheds were constructed just for the purpose of growing rhubarb out of season. Although originally sought after for its medicinal and healing properties, once forcing began, the vegetable quickly rose to popularity for its incredible taste. As demand for the crop grew, producers in other areas of the UK could not compete.

At the crossroads of several railroads, the region’s central position enabled producers to send rhubarb to all corners of the country. With over 90% of the world’s rhubarb production now in Yorkshire, special trains departed nightly bound for London’s Covent Garden market. From there, large amounts of forced rhubarb were sold on to Europe. These were known as the Rhubarb Express trains, carriage after carriage filled to the brim with the precious pink cargo.

Rhubarb is still as popular with pies and crumbles being a firm UK favourite, and of course not forgetting the rhubarb gin craze of 2020 that launched the vegetable into the limelight. Do you want to jump on board the rhubarb train? Wakefield Council’s Rhubarb Festival is back this February to inspire you with all-things rhubarb.

Coinciding with the height of growing season, the event is one of the first food and drink festivals in the national calendar and with a three-day, jam-packed programme it promises to start things o with a bang.

Set to transform the city centre over three days, visitors can expect not only to learn from the best with free celebrity chef demos, but also pick up incredible regional delights at the famous food and drink market with almost 60 traders. There will also be nonstop street entertainment, live music, family workshops as well as the chance to explore the city’s incredible selection of cafés, bars and restaurants in the food and drink trail.

Visit Wakefield Rhubarb Festival from 17-19 February 2023. Find out more at expwake.co/rhubarbfest