Pontefract Castle, West Yorkshire. Open Daily. Free Admission

Details

Accessibility:

Parking at the castle is free of charge, with two designated spaces situated at the front of the grounds, as well as pick up and drop of point. Please use postcode WF8 1QH for access to the bays. Assistance dogs are welcome, hearing loop available and facilities for the visually impaired. Some areas are not wheelchair accessible, however the current restoration project is working to improve accessibility. Accessible toilets available.

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

2026: "We have two disabled parking bays on Castle Chain, at the front of the Castle. Please use WF8 1QH in your sat nav to reach these.

Our car drop-off point is in the same place as the disabled parking bays. This will give you easy, level access to the Castle entrance.

Our coach drop-off point is located opposite the main car park. Use WF8 2JF in your sat nav for the coach drop-off point.

There is a coach parking space on North Baileygate. It is between the castle car park and All Saints church. Please note this section is one way, with access from Southgate only.

Our main car park is at WF8 2JF. The path leading from here to the Castle site is step-free, but it is cobbled and uneven in places. It is 122m from the main car park to the site with a 1 in 13 gradient.

An accessible toilet and baby changing space is available in the Visitor Centre entrance. These toilets are open until 4pm daily.

The accessible toilet does not require a radar key.

The level access entrance to the toilets is through a set of double doors. These doors are usually kept propped open, except for when it is very rainy or windy.

Unfortunately, we do not have changing places facilities. The nearest changing places toilet can be found at Junction 32 Outlet Shopping Village, WF10 4FR, 2 miles away.

Pontefract Castle is a breastfeeding-friendly location. You are welcome to breastfeed your baby anywhere on site.

Our car drop-off point and two disabled parking bays are accessed via a different route on Castle Chain, located at the front of the castle. Please use WF8 1QH in your sat nav.

Please note: the disabled parking area at the front of the castle is a dead end with no turning space for coaches. There is a turning circle for coaches located opposite the castle car park, follow WF8 2JF."

Brief Description:

Pontefract Castle is currently undergoing a major restoration to improve access and renovate the castle, so parts of the castle ruins are currently closed. For further information please contact the castle team. Access to the castle is free with a small charge for the dungeon tour. The visitor centre has activities for all the family as well as information on the castles dark and bloody history.

Further Information

Address:

Pontefract Castle, Castle Lodge, Castle Garth, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8 1QH.

+ Pontefract Castle, 

Castle Chain,

Pontefract,

West Yorkshire

WF8 1QH

Car Park: WF8 2JF

Email:

mailto:castles@wakefield.gov.uk

Phone:

01977 723440. Contact the Pontefract Castle Gift Shop on 01977 723440 and leave a message. This number is monitored Tuesday to Sunday, 10 to 4.

School visits: See https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/learn/schools-information/

Website:

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

Opening Hours:

Castle Grounds: Mon-Fri 8.30am-4.30pm. Weekends 9.30am-4.30pm.

Visitor Centre: You can contact us in advance of your visit with any questions. You can email us at castles@wakefield.gov.uk and we will get back to you during office hours. These are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Call 01977 723440 to talk to a member of staff at the Visitor Centre. The Visitor Centre is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. We can usually pick up the phone during opening hours.

Please leave us a message with your contact number if we cannot pick up at the time. 

Cafe open 7 days a week Monday to Friday 10.30am - 3pm, Weekends 10am - 3pm

Dungeon tours: For further information please see https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/whats-on/dungeon-tours/

2026:we run Dungeon Tours and Pontefract Castle Explorer Tours every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. "Dungeon Tours Fri 19 June 2026 - Sun 20 December 2026, 10:45am - 11:30am

The next occurrence is Fri 23 October 2026

Pontefract Castle: Join us for a tour of the Pontefract Castle dungeon! Soak in the atmosphere of this eerie underground space.

Discover the many uses of the dungeon. See where English Civil War prisoners left to languish scratched their names into the rock. 

Tours run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 10:45am to 11:30am (some exceptions due to events).

We often run additional tours during school holidays and on special event days.

Tickets can also be bought on the morning of the tour from the castle gift shop, subject to availability. Online tickets will not be available on the day of the tour.

(Dungeon Tours are not suitable for under 5s, visually impaired visitors or wheelchair users due to 44 steep historic steps) 

We love our dungeon tours and know you will too! 

Please read all of the information on this page to make sure they are suitable for you and your group. 

Frequently asked questions: 

How much do the tours cost? From 1 April 2026: £4.50 adults, £2.60 children (aged 6+)

Only children over the age of 5 can come on a Dungeon Tour.

Do I need to book in advance?

We recommend booking in advance online to ensure tickets are available. A limited number of tickets will be available to buy on the day from the Gift Shop.

Are the Dungeon Tours suitable for children?

Children over the age of 5 are allowed to come on a dungeon tour. The tour is generally not suitable for young children and babies (under 5s). Children and babies cannot be carried up or down the steps due to the risk of falling.

Are the Dungeon Tours accessible?

Unfortunately this tour is not accessible for blind / partially sighted visitors or wheelchair users. This is due to the low light levels, uneven ground and 44 steep historic steps down into the dungeon. 

Alternatively, we offer Castle Explorer Tours every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. These are fully level access and accessible for all. You can book these in advance online or at the Pontefract Castle Gift Shop.

Dogs and assistance animals cannot be allowed into the dungeon because of the steep steps.

The conditions in the dungeon are often damp and dark. This may make the tour uncomfortable for visitors with sensory hypersensitivities.

How long is the tour?

Tours last around 45 minutes.

Are there discounts available?

If you are travelling to Pontefract Castle by train or on your bike, you can get 25% off Dungeon Tour tickets! To get the discount, you must buy your tour ticket on the day from the Gift Shop. More information on Good Journey's website. 

Can I bring my dog on the tour? Dogs are not allowed on the tour.

Where is the meeting point for the tour? Meet at the Gift Shop inside the Visitor Centre 5 minutes before your tour starts.

What should I wear for the tour? This tour involves going underground using steep steps. The dungeon floor is uneven. Sensible footwear is strongly recommended.

Can I take photos or film the tour?

You can take photos and short video for personal use. Filming or photography of our staff is not allowed.

Where can I park?

Pontefract Castle car park is located on Beech Hill. This is a short distance from the castle entrance - a walk of around 5 minutes. The car park post code is WF8 2JF. 

Can I get a refund?

Generally, tickets are non-refundable. If we cancel the tour, your tickets will be refunded in this case.

Contact details

Online bookings enquiries: Call 01924 302700 and leave a message. This number is monitored during office hours: Monday to Friday, 9 to 4. (It is not monitored at weekends and on bank holidays)

General visit and on-the-day enquiries: Contact the Pontefract Castle Gift Shop on 01977 723440 and leave a message. This number is monitored Tuesday to Sunday, 10 to 4.

You can also email us at castles@wakefield.gov.uk. Please note this email address is only monitored during office hours.

Directions:

Located on the edge of Pontefract, just a few minutes’ walk from the town centre; .

OS SE460 222 

2026; "From 11 Sep to 27 Nov 2026 there will be no vehicle access up to the main entrance at Pontefract Castle. Our free car park behind the castle will remain open. For more information, see 'Changes to vehicle access' on the plan your visit page.

For our free car park, use WF8 2JF in your sat nav. Use What3Words code prefer.frog.pays for the car park location."

Transport:

Bus services operate in and around the area, with stops located on North Bailygate and A645/Southgate. Pontefract Baghill is the closest station to the castle, approximately a seven minute walk away.

2026: "Pontefract has three train stations, all of which are near to Pontefract Castle:

• Pontefract Monkhill station is 0.3 miles away from Pontefract Castle. Please note there is no step-free access between the two platforms at Pontefract Monkhill, and they are connected by a footbridge with steps.

• Pontefract Tanshelf station is about 1 mile away from Pontefract Castle. There is step-free access between the platforms at Pontefract Tanshelf.

These two stations are on the Leeds and Wakefield route.

• Pontefract Baghill station is 0.3 miles away from Pontefract Castle. There is step-free access between the platforms at Pontefract Baghill. This station is on the Sheffield and York route.

If you are visiting by train, you can get 25% off Dungeon Tour tickets with Good Journey! More info on our Dungeon Tours page.

Pontefract Castle is about 0.2 miles away from Pontefract Bus Station. There is a slight decline down towards the castle, and an incline back towards the bus station.

You can download our visual stories on how to reach Pontefract Castle by public transport on our access pages."

For more travel information go to http://www.traveline.info or call 0871 200 22 33.

Amenities:

There is a café situated within the visitor centre, serving a range of hot and cold foods, cakes, snacks and beverages. See https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/visit/pontefract-castle/the-keep-cafe/ 2026 Opening hours:

1 October to 31 March: Wednesday to Sunday, 10:30am to 2:30pm. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

1 April to 30 September: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 3:30pm. Closed Mondays. There is level access to The Keep Café by entering through the Visitor Centre building. There is also an accessible toilet in the Visitor Centre building, past the Gift Shop (level access throughout).

 Well-behaved dogs on leads are allowed at Pontefract Castle. Dogs can also come into The Keep Café.

• Free parking

• Free family activities and resources

• Café (dog-friendly)

• Education visits

• Guided tours

• Accessible toilet

• Hearing loop

• Assistance dogs welcome

• Dogs welcome on a lead 

• Breastfeeding-friendly location

• Bicycle rack