Bretton Hall Estate, Wakefield

Partners Rushbond and Artfarm – globally informed hospitality operator company, continue to evolve proposals to redevelop Bretton Hall so to enhance the holistic experience of Bretton, the wider landscape setting of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

Artfarm is an independent hospitality company that will take the creative and operational lead for Rushbonds vision – the transformation of Bretton Hall into a unique hotel, which sits within the grounds of Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) and Bretton Country Park. Artfarm will work with Rushbond on the delivery of the hotel and the redevelopment of the wider Bretton Hall Estate. Founded in 2014, Artfarm aims to set new boundaries for what culturally led development can achieve, by adapting and reinventing unique destinations to bring together art, learning, community, people and place, such as The Fife Arms in Scotland, the Roth Bar & Grill, Durslade Farmhouse and The Bull Inn in Somerset, and Manuela in Los Angeles. Their recent work also includes the revitalisation of the 18^th century Naval hospital at Illa Dei Rei into a thriving Arts centre in Menorca as well as providing restaurant and hospitality offerings in central London.

Bretton Hall is a Grade II* listed Mansion House, which dates back to the early 18th century. Home to the Bretton Hall College between 1949 to 2001, it was widely known as a centre for creative and artistic talent. The vision, working with Wakefield Council and YSP, has been to reunite Bretton Hall with the wider Park, and to provide a platform to support the cultural development of the City and Region.

“We are absolutely delighted to be part of the team working on this wonderful project”, said Iwan and Manuela Wirth, founders of Artfarm. “We are looking forward to working with Rushbond and our team and partners to ensure that Bretton Hall and its Estate is a cultural destination that complements the incredible Yorkshire Sculpture Park and helps promote the City of Wakefield as a cultural hub. At Artfarm we are passionate about weaving together art, community, hospitality and learning, and Bretton Hall provides an exciting platform to deliver a truly unique offer for Yorkshire and the North.”

Cllr Peter Box,  former leader of Wakefield  Council said “We are excited to be bringing the historic Bretton Hall back to life with the developer Rushbond and the hotel operator partner Artfarm. We welcome this as it will significantly enhance our current hotel, hospitality, cultural and visitor offer.”

Commenting on the announcement, Peter Murray, Founder of Yorkshire Sculpture Park said: “We very much welcome the news that Artfarm have been appointed as the operator-partner for the Bretton Hall development. YSP started over 40 years ago with an exhibition in the grounds of Bretton College. We now occupy 500 acres of historic landscape and we look forward to working alongside neighbours that share YSP’s commitment to furthering understanding, enjoyment and access to art for everyone.”

Bretton Hall College had a enviable reputation with its innovative courses across the fields of design, music, the visual and performing arts. Speaking for the Bretton Hall Alumni, Alan Parker said: “Bretton Hall College was a pioneering and iconic institution, which has a vibrant community of former students, who continue to be enthused and inspired by the place! The partnership with Artfarm is hugely exciting and we look forward to continuing the dialogue as the project progresses.”

Since 2019 the COVID pandemic has had a bearing on all sectors especially the hospitality industry which has had a bearing in the evolution of Bretton Hall however the partnership has continued through their real estate and hospitality expertise, to look after and make developmental improvements to the buildings including the refurbishment of the much loved Camelia House. Rushbond and Artfarm remain loyal to their commitment to enhance the holistic experience at Bretton and the wider landscape setting of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.