Elephant & Castle Yard: Bringing a piece of Wakefield's history back to life

A historic Wakefield courtyard has been given a new lease of life, transforming once run-down commercial buildings into a collection of modern, flexible business spaces while preserving the character and heritage of the site.

Tucked away behind the Elephant and Castle public house on Westgate, Elephant & Castle Yard is a historic commercial courtyard with a fascinating story.

placeholder image — Tucked away behind the Elephant and Castle public house on Westgate, Elephant & Castle Yard is a historic commercial courtyard with a fascinating story.

Following an extensive restoration project led by Boylin Property Group, the site has been transformed into eight refurbished hybrid business units, providing a new home for a range of independent businesses in the heart of Wakefield.

The project represented a £350,000 investment into restoring the historic buildings, bringing underused commercial units back into productive use and securing a future for an important part of the city's heritage.

Elephant & Castle Yard is a historic commercial courtyard situated behind the Elephant and Castle public house on Westgate, Wakefield.

The restoration focused on repairing and improving the existing buildings, making them suitable for contemporary commercial use without losing the character of the original courtyard.

Rather than replacing the old with the new, the aim was to work with the buildings, retaining their historic identity while creating practical and flexible accommodation for modern businesses.

The result is a collection of distinctive commercial spaces that combine the appeal of a historic setting with the functionality today's businesses need.

Elephant & Castle Yard is more than simply a collection of commercial buildings. Its history is closely connected to the Elephant and Castle public house, with documentary references to the inn dating back to at least the mid-18th century.

The project focused on restoring the existing buildings and making them suitable for modern commercial use.

Historical records from 1785 describe a working yard containing stables, a brewhouse, a cellar, a granary and several other buildings.

Like many historic courtyards and yards across the country, the site evolved to meet the needs of successive generations. Its buildings once supported traditional trades and commercial activities, and today they are once again providing a place for businesses to operate and grow.

Preserving this history was an important consideration throughout the restoration. By retaining the existing buildings and their character, the project has helped ensure that Elephant & Castle Yard remains part of Wakefield's architectural and commercial story.

Elephant & Castle Yard is now home to a growing collection of independent businesses, including:

The development sought to retain the character of the historic courtyard while creating practical, flexible business accommodation.

Sencia Suite – A beauty salon offering a dedicated space for beauty treatments.

Local Studio – A hair studio providing a home for professional hair services.

Aneckha Tattoo – A feminine tattoo studio bringing a creative business to the courtyard.

The Pilates Yard – A dedicated Pilates studio offering a space for movement and wellbeing.

The site has been developed into eight hybrid business units.

For Johnathan Boylin, owner of Boylin Property Group, the decision to take on Elephant & Castle Yard was driven by a genuine appreciation for historic buildings and the opportunities they offer.

“Old buildings have always held a particular interest for me,” he said.

"There is something special about the history, character and craftsmanship that you find in properties that have stood for generations.

"When I saw the Elephant & Castle Yard, I immediately saw the vision of how we could help restore the historic site. I believe passion leads you further than finances, and this was a property I couldn't pass on.”

Boylin Property Group's portfolio includes a range of distinct buildings, on top of our substantial self store sites, and many of these buildings have a fascinating history of their own, such as Westgate Brewery in Wakefield and Gordon Works in Sheffield.

“When we take on a restoration project, it is important to us that we retain as much of that original character as possible,” Johnathan said.

The project represents the next chapter in the site's long history of commercial activity.

“Our approach is about breathing new life into these buildings, finding a purpose for them in the modern world, while ensuring their historical significance is not lost.

"For me, it is about more than just restoring a property. It is about preserving a piece of history and making sure it has a future.”

While its use has changed considerably since the buildings were first recorded in the 18th century, the courtyard continues to serve a familiar purpose: providing space for businesses and commercial activity in Wakefield.

For Boylin Property Group, the project is about more than completing a restoration. It is about ensuring that places with genuine historical character remain relevant, useful and valued for generations to come.

Elephant & Castle Yard has entered its next chapter, and its story is still being written by the businesses that now occupy its historic buildings.