Shopping Centres
The Ridings Shopping Centre
The Ridings: Your Family Shopping Destination

The Ridings Shopping Centre in Wakefield offers a diverse shopping experience with major retailers like M&S and Boots, alongside a variety of independent businesses.


Visitors can enjoy convenient all-day parking for £6 or take advantage of the 50p rate on Sundays and Bank Holidays. 


The centre also features family-friendly facilities, such as a baby lounge and kiddy car rentals, making it an ideal destination for a family day out.

Shopping Centres

Opening Times

The Ridings Shopping Centre

Monday 09:00AM - 05:30PM

Tuesday 09:00AM - 05:30PM

Wednessday 09:00AM - 05:30PM

Thursday 09:00AM - 05:30PM

Friday 09:00AM - 05:30PM

Saturday 09:00AM - 05:30PM

Sunday 10:30AM - 04:30PM

Location

The Ridings Shopping Centre

Almshouse Ln

Wakefield

WF1 1DS

Distance from Ossett: 3.9 miles.

Travel Time: 14 minutes

Key Attractions

  • Diverse Shopping Experience: The Ridings Shopping Centre features a mix of major national stores like M&S and Boots, as well as a variety of independent local businesses. This offers visitors a wide range of shopping options.
  • Family-Friendly Facilities: The centre is particularly well-equipped for families with young children. It offers family parking bays, a dedicated baby lounge with a play zone, and kiddy car rentals for easy navigation around the centre. They also offer "Keeping Together" wristbands to help reunite parents and children should they become separated.
  • Convenient Parking: With all-day parking available for £6.00 (£5.00 according to source), and a special rate of 50p on Sundays and Bank Holidays, the centre provides easily accessible and affordable parking options for its visitors.
  • Reel Cinema: Catch the latest blockbusters at Reel Cinema, a state-of-the-art, 5-screen cinema located on the upper mall, opposite Boots and M&S.
  • Support for Cyclists: The centre is home to "On Your Bike," Wakefield's first fully undercover and secure bike parking area. This demonstrates the centre's commitment to providing amenities for cyclists, encouraging sustainable transportation options.

Tips For Visitors

Best Time To Visit

  • Weekday Mornings (9 am - 10 am): The Ridings hosts a "Quieter Hour" during this time, creating a calmer environment. This could be an ideal time to visit for those who prefer a less crowded, more peaceful shopping experience.
  • Sundays (10:30 am - 11:30 am): A "Quieter Hour" is also observed on Sundays, offering a similar advantage for visitors seeking a less bustling atmosphere.
  • After 7 pm on Evenings: If you plan to visit Reel Cinema, note that most entrances to The Ridings close at 7 pm, except for Almshouse Lane and the Cathedral entrance. This suggests that the centre might be less crowded after 7 pm, offering a potentially more relaxed experience, especially if your focus is the cinema.
  • Sundays and Bank Holidays: If you're looking for parking bargains, Sundays and Bank Holidays are the best days to visit. Parking costs only 50p for the entire day.

Beyond these insights, identifying the absolute "best" time to visit depends on your priorities and preferences.** Factors to consider include:

  • Your Tolerance for Crowds: Weekends are generally busier in shopping centres. If you prefer a quieter experience, weekdays might be a better choice.
  • Purpose of Your Visit: If you're visiting for a specific event or to see a particular film at Reel Cinema, timings would be determined by those schedules.
  • Specific Store Hours: While the sources provide the general opening hours of The Ridings, individual stores might have varying hours. If you're visiting for specific stores, checking their individual hours beforehand is recommended.

Must-Do Activities

  • Enjoy a Family Day Out: The Ridings Shopping Centre is particularly well-equipped for families with young children.
  • Take advantage of the designated Family parking bays on level 3 of the Blue Car Park.
  • Visit the Baby Lounge, conveniently located near the lower mall WCs, offering a comfortable space for parents to change and feed their babies. Toddlers can enjoy the dedicated play zone with bunnies while parents tend to their infants.
  • Make the shopping trip more fun for little ones by renting Kiddy Cars at Customer Services.
  • Catch a Movie at Reel Cinema: Located on the upper mall, Reel Cinema offers a range of films and showtimes. Remember to validate your parking ticket at the box office for free parking.
  • Explore the Variety of Shops: Discover a blend of well-known retailers, such as M&S and Boots, alongside a diverse selection of independent businesses.
  • Take Advantage of "Quieter Hour": If you prefer a calmer shopping environment, visit during "Quieter Hour," held every weekday from 9 am to 10 am and Sundays from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.

Facilities

Disabled Access

Fully accessible toilet

Baby Changing Facilities

Baby Lounge

Wi-Fi

Nearby Attractions

Cinemas
Reel Cinema

Distance from Ossett: 3.9 miles.

Approx travelling time: 14 minutes

Days Open: Open MON-SUN

Admission Price: FROM £3.49

Shopping Centres
Trinity Walk Shopping Centre

Distance from Ossett: 4.4 miles.

Approx travelling time: 18 minutes

Days Open: Open MON-SUN

Admission Price: N/A

Shopping Centres
The Ridings Shopping Centre

Distance from Ossett: 3.9 miles.

Approx travelling time: 14 minutes

Days Open: Open MON-SUN

Admission Price: N/A

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How To get There

Buses

116 Wakefield - Ossett Bus Stn B (Timetable Opens in new Tab)

126 Wakefield - Ossett Bus Stn A (Timetable Opens in new Tab)

Parking

Visitor car park with 1,000 spaces, including 43 blue badge holder spaces and 22 family parking bays with direct access to the centre.

Car Park Prices
6AM - Midnight
Up to 1 hour

£1.20

Up to 2 hours

£2.20

Up to 3 hours

£3.20

Up to 4 hours

£3.80

4+ hours (all day)

£6.00

Visitors can park for just 50p all day on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Overnight car parking from midnight – 6 am is £2.00.

Closing Remarks

With its diverse range of shops, family-friendly amenities, convenient facilities, and exciting entertainment options like Reel Cinema, The Ridings Shopping Centre promises a pleasant and enjoyable experience for visitors of all ages.

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