Where is the 'Rhubarb Triangle'?

Where is the 'Rhubarb Triangle'?

Wakefield is one of three points on the most common ‘Rhubarb Triangle’. But, where exactly is the rhubarb triangle?

The most common three points labelled as making up the Rhubarb Triangle are Wakefield, Rothwell and Morley. However, it is a little more complicated than this.

Wakefield is always an important point in any Rhubarb Triangle. But, there are three different potential ‘rhubarb triangles’. These cover different regions. Each have been linked to growing Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb thoughout history.

Potential rhubarb triangles

The three potential rhubarb triangles are as follows. They are shown in the map below:

Wakefield, Rothwell and Morley (pink triangle, and most commonly used)
Wakefield, Leeds and Morley (blue triangle)
Wakefield, Leeds and Bradford (green triangle)

A map showing three triangles shading in different areas. The pink triangle shows the area between Wakefield, Rothwell and Morley. The blue triangle shows Wakefield, Morley and Leeds. The green triangle is the biggest and covers Wakefield, Leeds and Bradford. Wakefield and Morley are covered by all of the triangles.

The three potential 'rhubarb triangles'

If you put all of the places that have been linked to growing Forced Rhubarb together, you get a sort of ‘Rhubarb Trapezium’.

This route is based on the places mentioned in the European Designation Boundary:

$A map showing a route linking Wakefield, Pontefract, Castleford, Garforth, North Leeds, round to bRadford, down to Brighouse, round to Dewsbury and back to Wakefield.$

The 'rhubarb trapezium' route (using Google Maps)

Whichever shape you use, Wakefield is always a key place for rhubarb growing!

Find out more at Wakefield Museum

Find out more about Wakefield's rhubarb industry and see objects from throughout history at Wakefield Museum. The museum is free entry and open all year round.

Visit Wakefield Museum