Wakefield Museums and Castles

This rhubarb splitting tool was used at Brandy Carr Nurseries, Kirkhamgate. Wakefield specialises in ‘forced rhubarb’. It’s thanks to good soil mixed with lots of ashes, horse manure and textile waste. We also receive just the ‘right amount’ of rain!

Wakefield forms part of the famous 'Rhubarb Triangle'. Land within this area has been historically used to grow forced rhubarb.

Forced rhubarb is a technique used to grow rhubarb out of season. The rhubarb roots are taken into warm, dark sheds lit with candles. This ‘forces’ the rhubarb to grow faster and taller than it naturally would.

The forced rhubarb industry boomed from the 1880s. The Rhubarb Triangle supplied markets in London and on to Europe. Special trains laden with rhubarb ran overnight between January and March. The trains were called ‘The Rhubarb Express’.

In 2010, Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb gained European protection. This gives it the same status and recognition as products like Parma Ham.