Pontefract Castle (official)

Pontefract Castle (official) Pontefract Castle, Key to the North! Built around 1086 by Ilbert de Lacy, it has many stories to tell... The principal royal castle in the North of England.
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Described by Edward I as "the key to the North". The ruins are now open to the public to enjoy. Free entry and booking not required. Visitor Centre and Gift Shop open Wednesday - Sunday 10am - 4pm. Toilets open daily. Children's play area open 10-4pm daily. Events, workshops, tours, talks and family activities take place throughout the year. For further details please go to https://experiencewakefield.co.uk/venue/pontefract-castle/

Let the countdown begin ⏰Proms at the Castle returns in spectacular style next Saturday (20 June) at Pontefract Castle! ...
13/06/2026

Let the countdown begin ⏰

Proms at the Castle returns in spectacular style next Saturday (20 June) at Pontefract Castle!

Visitors can enjoy a magnificent evening of music and light as the West Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra peform moving melodies before a fantastic firework finale 🎆

Get your tickets now and don't miss out: https://wmandc.co/proms

Still looking for the perfect Father's Day gift? 🎁Celebrate on the day itself (Sunday 21 June) at our 80's Tribute Show!...
11/06/2026

Still looking for the perfect Father's Day gift? 🎁

Celebrate on the day itself (Sunday 21 June) at our 80's Tribute Show!

You can enjoy a fantastic live performance from Stage Fever Productions Ltd who will be performing the biggest hits of the decade including Summer of 69, Don't Stop Believing and Livin' On a Prayer🎶

Gates open at 4pm with the concert itself beginning at 5pm. You can bring your own picnic or enjoy food and drink from R&J Catering, Dutch Pancake Co. Piggylicious & Michelle’s Cakes. The Keep Café and Gift Shop will also remain open during the concert and there will be an onsite bar, The Thirsty Steed.

So what you waiting for? Get your dad the perfect Father's Day gift today and make lasting memories: https://wmandc.co/tributes

Reminder: Pontefract Castle is closed today Saturday 6 June for the Yonder at the Castle event.We will reopen as normal ...
06/06/2026

Reminder: Pontefract Castle is closed today Saturday 6 June for the Yonder at the Castle event.

We will reopen as normal on Sunday 7 June.

YonderEvents

Forget the 9-5 at Tributes at the Castle (21 June) where you can enjoy a celebration of 80's classics all night long!Get...
04/06/2026

Forget the 9-5 at Tributes at the Castle (21 June) where you can enjoy a celebration of 80's classics all night long!

Get footloose and dance with somebody in the beautiful bailey as this summer the only way is up 🎶

Buy your tickets now at https://wmandc.co/tributes

Stage Fever Productions Ltd

Please note: Pontefract Castle will be closing at 4pm today Thursday 4 June. This is to prepare for the KOYLI Freedom of...
04/06/2026

Please note: Pontefract Castle will be closing at 4pm today Thursday 4 June. This is to prepare for the KOYLI Freedom of the City of Wakefield 80th Anniversary Sounding Retreat event.

Some tickets are still available for this evening's event. Book at https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/whats-on/koyli-sounding-retreat/

We will be back open as normal tomorrow Friday 5 June at 8:30am.

Wakefield Council

Four panels of the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt have arrived here at Pontefract Castle 💜They will be on display in the Activit...
03/06/2026

Four panels of the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt have arrived here at Pontefract Castle 💜

They will be on display in the Activity Zone tomorrow Thursday 4 to Friday 5 June, 10am to 4pm.

On display we have:
- A panel for Julio Garcia
- A panel for Fiona Johnson, representing Fiona and the wider story of representing the loss of women to HIV / AIDS
- A panel for International Women's Day
- A panel for Phillip

Wakefield is the first city to welcome the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt outside of London. The Quilt consists of 42 quilts and 23 individual panels. These represent over 384 individuals affected by HIV and AIDS. It is part of the world’s largest community art project.

More panels are on display at WX Wakefield 4 to 7 June, and other partner organisations across the Wakefield district.

UK AIDS Memorial Quilt Conservation Partnership Wakefield Council

Monday marked the start of ! We have a fantastic team of volunteers who work across our sites; here at Pontefract Castl...
03/06/2026

Monday marked the start of !

We have a fantastic team of volunteers who work across our sites; here at Pontefract Castle in particular you might find our volunteers:

- Taking care of our beautiful medieval herb garden (as well as giving talks all about it and writing fascinating blog posts!)
- Supporting our popular Home Education workshops
- Researching and delivering fantastic - and popular - historical talks
- Helping our wonderful Site Officers with grounds maintenance
- Getting stuck in with exciting events that take place in our grounds
- Supporting hands-on learning activities during the holidays or at weekends
- Turning over rocks and leaves to undertake insect surveys
- Standing guard over the entrance into our deep, dark dungeon

Let's all say a big thank you to our volunteers - without them, things just wouldn't be the same. We appreciate everything that they do to help us care for our visitors, sites and collections 💜

UK AIDS Memorial Quilt display at Pontefract Castle - Thu 4 to Fri 5 JuneWakefield is set to be the first city to welcom...
02/06/2026

UK AIDS Memorial Quilt display at Pontefract Castle - Thu 4 to Fri 5 June

Wakefield is set to be the first city to welcome the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt, outside of London. In partnership with UK AIDS Memorial Quilt Partnership, WX Wakefield will display the piece from 4 to 7 June.

As part of the wider city‑wide presentation of the quilt, Pontefract Castle is proud to display a small selection of quilt panels. The quilt panels will be on display in the Activity Zone inside the Visitor Centre, 4 to 5 June, 10am to 4pm.

The display is free entry, and no ticket is required.

More info about the full exhibition and partner displays at https://wxwakefield.co.uk/Whats-On/Details?event=aids-memorial-quilt

Photo credit: AM Hanson

Fancy trying something new? There's some spaces left on our upcoming Have a Dabble - Pressed flowers (16+) workshops!📅 T...
29/05/2026

Fancy trying something new? There's some spaces left on our upcoming Have a Dabble - Pressed flowers (16+) workshops!

📅 Tuesday 2 June, 1:30pm and 4:30pm
🎟 £10 per person, booking required at https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/whats-on/had-pressed-flowers/

Make a flower press and use pressed flora to create a delicate lantern. Be inspired by the magical medieval herb garden at Pontefract Castle, and the gardens of the past.

Use a variety of materials to make your own spellbinding lantern, including pre-pressed flowers. Give your new flower press a go and capture some of our herb garden specimens.

All materials, skilled instruction and light refreshments included.

Address

Castle Chain
Pontefract
WF81QH(PARKINGWF82JF)

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm
Saturday 9:30am - 5pm
Sunday 9:30am - 5pm

Telephone

01977 723 440

Website

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