Wakefield Museums and Castles

Get ready for your visit to Pontefract Castle! Read on for our opening hours and facilities. Find out how to get here by car or public transport.

Pontefract Castle is free entry for all. You do not need a ticket.

Last entry to the Castle Grounds is 30 minutes before closing.

• 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

Pontefract Castle is near to Pontefract town centre. It is on Castle Chain, Pontefract.

The Visitor Centre and Gift Shop are within the castle grounds.

Public transport

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.

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.

By car and coach

Pontefract is easily accessible from the A1 or Junction 32 of the M62. Follow the brown tourism signs for the castle or use WF8 2JF in your sat nav.

There is a coach turning circle located opposite the car park.

Parking

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

Please note: there are limited spaces in our car park. It can fill up quickly on event days. There is parking available in the nearby town centre (charges apply): Alternative car parks in Pontefract

Coach parking

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.

Disabled parking and drop-off point

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.

Bicycle rack

We have a free bicycle rack available near the main entrance. Please note all bicycles are left at your own risk, and any remaining bicycles will be locked in overnight when the gates close to the public.