Things to see and do at Pontefract Castle

Here's all the things you can see and do at Pontefract Castle.

Step into History

First built in 1070, Pontefract Castle was once known as the Key to the North. Take some time to explore what is left of this once important fortress. Marvel at the views across Pontefract from the Castle’s viewpoint.

Go at your own pace – or book onto an Explorer Tour below.

Part of the curtain wall, entrance to the sallyport and the keep at Pontefract Castle

Pontefract Castle Explorer Tours

Join us every Friday, Saturday and Sunday* at 2pm for a guided tour of the Castle site.

Discover who built and lived in the Castle. Hear stories of secretive Queens and captured Kings. Find out about the Castle’s role in the English Civil Wars.

Tour is suitable for all ages, wheelchair users and visitors with pushchairs.

A staff member pointing out and talking about part of the Castle walls to a family group

Adults £3, Children 5+ £2

Under 5s Free

Meet at the Gift Shop inside the Visitor Centre 5 minutes before your tour starts.

Click here to book Pontefract Castle Explorer Tour tickets

*Some exceptions due to occasional site closures for events.

Dungeon Tours

Join us every Friday, Saturday and Sunday* at 10.45am for a tour of the Castle Dungeons!

Soak in the atmosphere of this eerie underground space. Discover the history of the dungeon. See where Civil War prisoners locked away scratched their names into the rock.

Tours last around 40 minutes.

A staff member leading a dungeon tour, highlighting some graffiti on the dungeon wall to a group of visitors

Tickets can be pre-booked online. Adults £4 and Children (5-16 years) £2.25.

Meet at the Gift Shop inside the Visitor Centre 5 minutes before your tour starts.

Click here to book Dungeon Tour tickets

*Some exceptions due to occasional site closures for events.

Visitor Centre

Explore objects from the Castle’s impressive past.

Discover finds from archaeological digs.

Get close to real Civil War armour.

Find out how the Castle was even once a liquorice farm!

 Two young visitors looking at cannon balls found at the Castle in the Visitor Centre

Castle Playground

Let the little ones loose in our brilliant, bespoke Castle Playground. We’ve got battering ram swings, slides and climbing frames.

Find out who’s the King of the Castle – and who’s the dirty rascal!

Two children enjoying the roundabout in the Castle Playground. Other children in the background are using the climbing frame

Medieval Herb Garden

Take a great big sniff of history with our magnificent medieval herb garden.

Enjoy a mindfulness moment with the plants and wildlife that call the Castle home.

Find out more about our ongoing work with regular Volunteer Talks about the herb garden and its uses.

Visit our Events page for details of upcoming Volunteer Talks

The herb garden at Pontefract Castle, with purple prostrate rosemary in full bloom draping over the walls

Gift Shop

A must for every good day out! Take home a memento of your trip to the Castle with a fun range of books, toys and trinkets for all tastes and ages.

We also stock a range of locally inspired treats, including our popular Pontefract Cakes!

A young visitor and their grown-up trying on some of the medieval-style toy armour in the Gift Shop

What's on?

We have a regular programme of events and activities at the Castle throughout the year.

Click here for information on upcoming events.

A large crowd in the grounds at Pontefract Castle for 2022’s sold out Proms at the Castle event

Contact Us

Pontefract Castle, Castle Chain, Pontefract, West Yorkshire WF8 1QH Car Park: WF8 2JF

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