Castle · Ruin

Pontefract Castle

Pontefract, West Yorkshire
Directions
  • Open
  • Free entry
  • Dogs in the grounds
  • Parking on site, free
  • Local council
Pontefract Castle: Liquorice at Pontefract Castle
Photo: Stephen McKay · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source

Quick answer

Checked 14 Oct 2026

Pontefract Castle is a ruined castle near Pontefract, West Yorkshire, managed by Local council. Entry is free. Dogs on a lead are welcome in the grounds but not inside. There is a free car park on site, about 122 m from the entrance.

Pontefract Castle opening times

Last checked 14 Oct 2026
  1. Mon 12 Not listed
  2. Tue 13 Not listed
  3. Wed 14 08:3016:30
  4. Today Thu 15 08:3016:30
  5. Fri 16 08:3016:30
  6. Sat 17 09:3016:30
  7. Sun 18 09:3016:30
Opening times by season
Season Dates Days Hours Last entry
Winter (1 Oct-31 Mar), castle grounds 14 Oct to 31 Mar
Mon to Fri
Sat to Sun
08:30 to 16:30
09:30 to 16:30
 30 min before close

Check current times on the official site

Getting to Pontefract Castle and parking

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Directions to Pontefract Castle View on a map
Parking
Car park on site, free. Free car park directly behind the castle (WF8 2JF), limited spaces; two disabled bays at front on Castle Chain (no vehicle access until 27 Nov 2026) About 122 m to the entrance. Town-centre car parks (charges apply)
By train
Pontefract Baghill is 0.2 miles away.
Public transport
About 0.2 miles from Pontefract Bus Station. Pontefract Monkhill and Baghill stations 0.3 miles; Tanshelf about 1 mile.

Dogs, accessibility and facilities

Dogs

Partly
  • Welcome: in the grounds.
  • Not allowed: inside the buildings.
  • Leads: dogs must be kept on a lead.
  • Dogs on leads welcome; the page also says well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome in The Keep Café, but does not say other buildings (visitor centre, dungeons), so lesser value chosen.

Accessibility

Partly step-free
  • Step-free: in parts of the site.
  • Paths and surfaces: Step-free but cobbled, uneven path from main car park (122 m, 1 in 13 gradient); level access from front drop-off
  • Accessible toilet: yes.
  • Changing Places toilet: no.
Full access statement

Food and facilities

  • Toilets Yes
  • Café Yes
  • Shop Yes
  • Baby changing Yes
  • Visitor centre Yes
  • Guided tours Yes

What to see at Pontefract Castle

  • 01

    Dungeon

    Prison cells or a dungeon.

  • 02

    Gardens

    Gardens you can walk around.

History of Pontefract Castle

  1. c.1086 Built around 1086 by Ilbert de Lacy
  2. 1215 Role in the events of Magna Carta
  3. 1400 King Richard II dies at the castle
  4. 1536 Pilgrimage of Grace revolt
  5. 1649 Castle demolished
  6. 2016 Cannonballs discovered during conservation works

Photos

Castles near Pontefract Castle

All 120 castles in England

FAQs

Where do you park at Pontefract Castle?

There is a free car park on site, about 122 m from the entrance. Town-centre car parks (charges apply).

Is there a café at Pontefract Castle?

Yes, there is a café on site.

How much does it cost to visit Pontefract Castle?

Entry is free.

Sources

Every fact on this page last verified 14 Oct 2026
Suggest a correction
  1. Page on museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk · checked 14 Oct 2026
  2. Page on wakefield.gov.uk · checked 15 Oct 2026
  3. Page on museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk · checked 14 Oct 2026
  4. Wikidata · checked 15 Oct 2026
  5. Page on museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk · checked 14 Oct 2026
  6. Page on museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk · checked 14 Oct 2026

We are independent and not affiliated with Local council. Prices and times can change at short notice, so check the operator's site on the day. How we check our data