Essential Information

Contact Details:

Address: Pontefract Castle, Castle Chain, Pontefract, West Yorkshire WF8 1QH

Email: castles@wakefield.gov.uk

Enquiries: 01977 723440

School visits: 01924 302700

Opening Hours (from 1 October to 31 March)

Grounds:

• Monday to Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm
• Weekends 9.30am - 4.30pm

Visitor Centre (includes gift shop, museum displays, toilets and Activity Zone):

• Wednesday to Sunday 10am - 4pm
• Closed Monday and Tuesday

Opening Hours (from 1 April to 30 September):

Grounds:

• Monday to Friday 8:30am - 5pm
• Weekends 9:30am - 5pm

Visitor Centre (includes gift shop, museum displays, toilets and Activity Zone):

• Tuesday to Sunday 10am - 4pm
• Closed Monday
  
  

Getting Here:

We are located on the edge of Pontefract, just a few minutes’ walk from the town centre. 

By Car:
Easily accessible from the A1 or Junction 32 of the M62. Follow the brown tourism parking signs for the castle or use WF8 2JF in your sat nav.

Public Transport:
The castle is 0.4 miles from Pontefract Bus Station, Baghill Railway Station and Monkhill Railway Station. Tanshelf Railway Station is approximately one mile away.  Visit wymetro.com for full details.

Parking:

Car Park:
Our car park is free and is located directly behind the castle. The postcode is WF8 2JF.

Disabled Parking and Drop-Off:
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 that this route is a dead end with no turning space for coaches.

Other Car Parks:
Please note the castle car park fills up quickly on events days. There is parking available nearby town centre car parks within easy walking distance of the castle (please note, there may be charges for these car parks). For more information on parking in Pontefract, click here. 

Dungeon Tours:

From January 2020 tours are available Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 1.15pm. Please note that Friday tours may not be available due to school bookings. Additional tours run during school holidays and during special events. Please contact the castle to check the tour is running before making a special journey.

Tickets are available from the Visitor Centre: 

• Adults: £3.00
• Children (5-16 years): £1.50
• Under 5s, free.
  
  

Dogs:

Dogs are welcome but they must be kept on a lead at all times. Only assistance dogs are allowed inside the Visitor Centre and The Liquorice Cafe.
 

Smoking and E-cigarettes:

Pontefract Castle is a non-smoking site, which includes e-cigarettes.
 

Access:

Download our access statement here.
 

Download a map of the castle site here.