[1] The cathedral, situated in the centre of Wakefield on a hill on Kirkgate,[nb 1] is built on the site of a Saxon church, evidence of which was uncovered in 1900 when extensions to the east end were made.

The church was reconstructed and altered at various times and its spire, damaged in a violent gale, was renewed in 1823.

It still served as a parish church, meaning that until 2000 the head of the chapter of canons was called the provost, rather than the dean.

[8] In January 2000 a parish boundary change brought the chantry chapel on Wakefield Bridge into the care of the cathedral.

[11] A decision to charge VAT on restoration work on historic buildings in the 2012 budget caused concern that the project would be halted or delayed.

[13] Peregrine falcons have nested on the cathedral's tower since 2015 and raised 24 chicks in seven breeding seasons.

On the south wall is a porch, with a wrought iron gate and a sundial over the door arch.

[1] Eleven of the 15th-century choir stalls, the gift of Thomas Savile, have misericords and other carvings including a green man and mythical beasts.

[21] Some furniture in St Mark's Chapel is by Robert Thompson, the 'Mouseman', so called because of his signature mouse carvings.

The bells are rung on Sundays, and to mark special occasions such as weddings and national events such as the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II.

[23] As of 11 Aug 2024:[24] Wakefield Cathedral Choir, directed by James Bowstead (Director of Music), consists of boys, girls and adults who perform at the cathedral and have appeared on BBC One's Songs of Praise and BBC Radio 3's Choral Evensong.