Wakefield Museums and Castles

Discover the extraordinary at our museums and castles

Fireworks bursting from the keep at Pontefract Castle as the sun goes down

What's on

Exciting events. No-cost and low-cost activities and workshops. Expert talks and tours. Find out what's on at our sites.
A toddler in a red tunic grinning in front of Roman displays at Castleford Museum

Castleford Museum

Explore 15,000 years of local history at Castleford Museum! Uncover our Roman roots and learn about local industry.
The remains of the keep and curtain wall at Pontefract Castle with a tree overhanging in the foreground

Pontefract Castle

The Key to the North! Built around 1086 by Ilbert de Lacy, Pontefract Castle has many stories to tell.
A family doing dressing up in front of the Keirincx oil painting of Pontefract Castle in the 1640s

Pontefract Museum

Learn all about Pontefract's eventful history! From the Civil Wars to the success of liquorice - Pontefract has seen it all.
The remains of Sandal Castle in the background with bright yellow daffodils in the foreground

Sandal Castle

Visit Sandal Castle, scene of the Battle of Wakefield in 1460! Sandal was a favourite castle of Richard III.
A child using a mini pair of binoculars to look around a nature reserve recreated in paper sculptures

Wakefield Museum

Explore the history of Wakefield at work and play. Discover surprising stories from the Merrie City.
A gold ring with an inscription on the inside, sat on top of a pile of gold and silver coins

The Ackworth Hoard

The Ackworth Hoard is a very important collection of silver and gold coins, along with a gold ring.

The hoard dates to the English Civil Wars. It was found in a back garden in Ackworth in 2011.

Find out more about the Ackworth Hoard and its contents. 

The Ackworth Hoard

A man and a black labrador walking towards the camera, with the ruins of Sandal Castle behind, on a dramatic winter's day

Sandal Castle: your gallery

We love Sandal Castle. But, don't just take it from us!

Have a browse of what our lovely visitors have been enjoying lately.

Find out how to get your photos featured on our website.

Sandal Castle: your gallery

Latest news and articles

A knight in shining armour and Ilbert the Dragon mascot leading a parade of families around Pontefract Castle 3 Mar

The Easter holidays are almost here! There's so much to do across our sites. Start planning your adventures with our handy guide.

Easter holidays guide
Large white flowers growing among green leaves on a myrtle plant 25 Feb

Discover facts and folklore about myrtle. It's our Medieval Herb Garden volunteers' plant of the week.

Medieval herb garden blog: Myrtle
A person wearing headphones overlaid with the text 'Access Grant Awarded' 9 Feb

We have been successful in our application to The Exhibitions Group for an Access to Exhibitions Grant!

Access to Exhibitions Grant for Wakefield Museum

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