Pontefract Castle is an important part of Wakefield district’s rich cultural heritage.
The castle is a Scheduled Monument and the preservation of the site is therefore a key priority. However, we also want to make sure we unlock the full potential of the site, for the people of Pontefract and to attract visitors to the area.
Over the last year we have made some initial improvements to the site, such as refurbishing the visitors centre and shop, resurfacing paths with help from the Friends of Pontefract Castle, and installing new picnic benches and information boards around the site.
Have your say Survey
We would like to give both residents and visitors a chance to submit their views and opinions on the potential developments for this important site. These include:
- restoring the Victorian Tea Rooms (The Barn)
- opening new paths around the north side of the site
- building viewing platforms.
To give us your views, please complete the online survey below:
Paper copies of the survey are also available from Pontefract Museum or Pontefract Castle. Completed surveys can be returned to either site, marked for the attention of ‘The Heritage Team’.
If you have any comments, suggestions or queries you can contact the Heritage Team by email at castles@wakefield.gov.uk, by calling 01977 722 740 or writing to the Heritage Team, Pontefract Museum, 5 Salter Row, Pontefract, WF8 1BA.
Phase one: conservation and improvement works - completed
Initial works included:
- Renewing the wooden steps up the keep
- Repairing damaged stonework at both ends of the garderobe (toilet shaft)
- Consolidating and repairing damaged stonework at the top of the stone steps up the Keep
- Removing trees growing in the wall of the Swillington Tower and consolidating stonework
- Temporarily propping stonework on the Queens Tower
- Meshing the loose soil on the Royal Apartments
- Scaffolding and meshing the curtain wall in the area of the Gascoigne Tower and Sally Port
- Repairing the dry stone wall along the front of the Herb Garden
- Stabilising the banking above the Herb Garden
- Investigating the crack in the revetment wall between the Keep and the Inner Bailey and introducing weep holes.
Summer 2011 - Extensive works
During Summer / Autumn 2011 Wakefield Council, with assistance from WREN and English Heritage, completed the conservation of the Gascoigne Tower. The Gascoigne Tower is historically one of the most important part of the castle as legend has it that King Richard II died here.
This is the first part of the castle to be fully conserved, and it is hoped that over future years additional areas will be preserved to the same standard.
