Museums and Castles events

Meet Alphabet Cat and take part in activities, rhymes and more! 

Each month there's a new theme to help you explore Wakefield Museum. 

Have fun learning and playing together and tick off the following on your 50 Things to do Before You’re 5:

#6 Rhyme Time, #7 Making Music, #11 Making Connections, #39 Talking Signs, #40 Happy History 

Every Thursday morning from 10.30am to 11.30am during term time. 

Free and no booking required

These sessions are designed for toddlers aged 2 to 5 and their families.

Please note: The fire alarms in Wakefield One are tested at 11am on Thursdays. We have ear defenders you and / or your children can borrow.

Join us for a tour of the Pontefract Castle dungeons. Soak in the atmosphere of this eerie underground space, discover the history of the dungeon and see where Civil War prisoners left to languish scratched their names into the rock.

Please note: The tour involves going underground via steep steps with low light levels, uneven ground, and damp conditions. Sensible footwear is strongly recommended.

Book tickets for Pontefract Castle Dungeon Tours

Join us for a tour of the Pontefract Castle dungeons. Soak in the atmosphere of this eerie underground space, discover the history of the dungeon and see where Civil War prisoners left to languish scratched their names into the rock.

Please note: The tour involves going underground via steep steps with low light levels, uneven ground, and damp conditions. Sensible footwear is strongly recommended.

Book tickets for Pontefract Castle Dungeon Tours

Join the Castleford Museum team, rain or shine, for free fun craft activities every Saturday.

With different themed craft and activities each week, what will you make?

All activities and materials are provided and they’ll even tidy up afterwards!

Free and no booking required

Join the Wakefield Museum team, rain or shine, for free fun craft activities every Saturday.

With different themed craft and activities each week, what will you make?

All activities and materials are provided and they’ll even tidy up afterwards!

Free and no booking required

Join the Pontefract Museum team, rain or shine, for free fun craft activities every Saturday.

With different themed craft and activities each week, what will you make?

All activities and materials are provided and they’ll even tidy up afterwards!

Free and no booking required

Join Carole, one of our volunteer gardeners as she talks about the plants in our Medieval Herb Garden. Find out how they were used throughout history and get hints and tips on the best way to cultivate them, including the elusive liquorice plant! 

This talk takes place outside by the herb garden and is free to all. 

This event is part of Our Year 2024

Free, booking required.

Book The Medieval Herb Garden - Volunteer Talk

Join us for a tour of the Pontefract Castle dungeons. Soak in the atmosphere of this eerie underground space, discover the history of the dungeon and see where Civil War prisoners left to languish scratched their names into the rock.

Please note: The tour involves going underground via steep steps with low light levels, uneven ground, and damp conditions. Sensible footwear is strongly recommended.

Book tickets for Pontefract Castle Dungeon Tours

The ecosystem is amazing!

Find out more about how it works. Meet some little critters that help with the decomposition of leaf matter.

Make your own beautiful terrarium!

Adults 16+

Tickets £6.30, including all materials and instruction

Click here to book Have a Dabble - Garden jar terrarium

Join Charlie Bear every Tuesday during term time for a lively session of storytelling, crafts and rhymes!

Ahead of Castleford Roman Festival on 1 June, we'll be inspired by our Roman objects throughout May.

Activities link to the following of your 50 Things to do Before You’re 5

#4 Make your Mark

#6 Rhyme Time

#10 Sharing books

#40 Happy History

Every Tuesday in term time, 10am – 11am

Free – No booking required

Meet Alphabet Cat and take part in activities, rhymes and more! 

Each month there's a new theme to help you explore Wakefield Museum. 

Have fun learning and playing together and tick off the following on your 50 Things to do Before You’re 5:

#6 Rhyme Time, #7 Making Music, #11 Making Connections, #39 Talking Signs, #40 Happy History 

Every Thursday morning from 10.30am to 11.30am during term time. 

Free and no booking required

These sessions are designed for toddlers aged 2 to 5 and their families.

Please note: The fire alarms in Wakefield One are tested at 11am on Thursdays. We have ear defenders you and / or your children can borrow.

In 1947, Ivy Hill became the first woman to be appointed as Castleford’s public librarian and curator. She served the town for nearly 20 years, helping to increase access to education and heritage for local people. 

Ivy played a vital role in shaping the historic collections we care for today – even heading to archaeological digs with her trusty wellies! Many of the objects she collected are still on display in Castleford Museum, from Roman treasures to locally made glass and pottery.

Find out about this inspiring woman’s pioneering career and hear how her legacy continues to inspire our team. Have a look at and handle some of the objects collected during Ivy’s time in Castleford.  

This is part of #WordFest #MakeWordsCount and Our Year – Wakefield District 2024

For adults 16+

Free, booking required. Book tickets for Ivy Hill: History Maker