What are the opening hours?

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm Saturday 9:30am - 4:30pm Sunday 9:30am - 4:30pm

Pontefract Castle (official)

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Pontefract Castle (official)

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$Pontefract Castle (official)$ 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/

30/10/2026

Last chance to join us tomorrow for a special spooky author event on Halloween!

Meet local author Gail Powell and discover who Eliza Binks, ghost investigator, is and what she does.

Discover how local history, mystery and legends shaped the story.

Young writers and imaginative minds will also have the opportunity to create ideas for their own mysteries or magical tales inspired by the past...

📚 Meet the author: Gail Powell
📅 Saturday 31 October, 10:15am to 11:15am
🎫 Free, booking required at: https://www.ticketsource.com/wakefield-museums-castles/t-kdpmjdd

Our Witches and Wizards week programming is also running 11am to 3pm - don't miss the last day to enjoy some terrific tricks and treats! 🧙‍♀️

30/10/2026

Our frighteningly fun Witches and Wizards week activities continue today 🧙‍♀️

We are also delighted to be joined by the Lo-Fi Alchemists who will be delivering Halloween-inspired creative activities in the Activity Zone!

🧪 Experiment with magic plant potions using natural materials!
👻 Design and paint a spooky bookmark with earth pigments and natural dyes
🍁 Have a go at transfer prints using natural materials pressed on paper

Lo-Fi Alchemist activities run 10am to 2pm
Witches and Wizards activities run 11am to 3pm (potions demonstrations on bandstand at 11:15am, 12:15pm, and 2pm)

28/10/2026

Eye of newt ✓, toe of frog ✓, wool of bat ✓

Our shopping list is complete for the start of Witches and Wizards week today!

🕸 Join us from 11am to 3pm each day until Saturday 31 October for lots of bewitching activities...

🧪 Potions demonstrations from our resident witches take place on the bandstand at 11:15am, 12:15pm and 2pm.

🧙‍♀️ Dressing up encouraged but not required for spooktacular fun!

26/10/2026

🎃 Think your pumpkin has what it takes to win?

Enter our pumpkin carving competition by sharing a photo of your creation in the Council's original post below for a chance to win a spooktacular prize bundle!

The winner will receive:

- Four tickets to a Dungeon Tour or Explorer Tour at Pontefract Castle, where centuries of history and chilling tales await.

- Two tickets to the Halloween Hoedown at WX Wakefield on 30 October for a wild west Halloween spectacular (14+).

- A Family Fun Swim session for four at any Aspire Health Wakefield Sport and Fitness pool.

Competition deadline: Submit your entry by 3pm on Tuesday 27 October.

Our judges will shortlist the top three pumpkins, then it's over to the public to vote for their favourite.

The winner will be announced on Wednesday 28 October.

Good luck, and may the best pumpkin win! 🎃✨

26/10/2026

We're busy dusting off the cobwebs, gathering the broomsticks, and preparing the potions for the start of Witches and Wizards week on Wednesday 🕸

Whilst we're getting ready, don't miss out on the fun getting started across our other sites:

🕵️‍♀️ Investigate the Mystery in the museum at Castleford Museum - Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri
🔓 Over at Wakefield Museum you can unlock the secrets of their Codes and Ciphers activities - Mon to Fri
🎨 Sketch it! with the team at Pontefract Museum and make your own sketchbook - Weds

Plus lots more! Check out our handy half term guide for details of all the fun: https://wmandc.co/holidays

25/10/2026

We have had to close for the day due to the wind and the risk of branches breaking off the trees. We hope to be open again tomorrow as normal.

22/10/2026

Want to enjoy our half term fun in a more relaxed atmosphere?

We're running relaxed versions of some of our holiday programming for families that might benefit from fewer people and a more open-ended approach!

🧙‍♀️ Very limited spaces remain on our free Witches and Wizards week (SEND session) on Weds 28 October at 10am. Book now to avoid disappointment (you can join the waiting list if spaces are fully booked and we will let you know if we have any cancellations).

🐸 We also have spaces on the SEND session of Dispelling animal myths (6+) on Thurs 29 October at 10am. Discover fantastic facts about amazing creatures, and get hands-on with a selection of animals from Loulabelle's jungle! £3 per child (6+).

🎫 Book sessions at: www.ticketsource.com/wakefield-museums-castles

SEND families are welcome at all of our sessions. We are also running these SEND sessions for families who require a more relaxed atmosphere, with restricted numbers.

Experience Wakefield Wakefield Sendiass

21/10/2026

Please be aware that the Castle playground will be closed all day tomorrow (Thursday 22 October).

This is to allow us to do some additional maintenance and cleaning.

The playground will reopen as usual on Friday 23 October.

Wakefield Council

19/10/2026

Meet local author Gail C. Powell at a special spooky author event on Halloween! 👻

Discover how local history, mystery and legends helped shape her writing...

Listen to exciting passages from her work read by the author herself!

Young writers and imaginative minds will even have the chance to create ideas for their own mysterious or magical tale inspired by history

📅 Saturday 31 October, 10:15am to 11:15pm
🎫 Free, booking required - suitable for ages 7+
Book here: https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/whats-on/gail-powell/

Wakefield Libraries Experience Wakefield

18/10/2026

🍂☕ Autumn treats at The Keep Café! 🍎🍁

The autumn days are getting chillier, so why not pop into The Keep Café at Pontefract Castle and warm up with something delicious?
Indulge in a slice of our Spiced Caramel Apple Parkin – packed with warming autumn flavours and topped with a delicious caramel drizzle. 😋

Pair it with a creamy latte, or why not add a little Pumpkin Spice for that extra autumnal twist? 🎃☕

The perfect excuse to take a break, get cosy and enjoy a little seasonal treat!

🕑 We're now in our autumn / winter hours. The Keep Café is open Wednesday - Sunday 10:30am - 2:30pm.

Experience Wakefield

Address

Castle Chain
Pontefract
WF81QH(PARKINGWF82JF)

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday	9:30am - 4:30pm
Sunday	9:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

01977 723 440

Website

https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/visit/pontefract-castle/

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