Things to see at Pontefract Castle

$Things to see at Pontefract Castle$ Pontefract Castle

An adult pointing out part of the castle ruins to a child

Things to see at Pontefract Castle

There’s so much to see at Pontefract Castle! From towering ruins to deep dungeons, what will you discover?

Here’s some of the highlights of a trip to Pontefract Castle:

Part of the curtain wall lined with trees and the grass bailey area

The castle grounds

The Victorians loved Pontefract Castle. They converted the overgrown castle grounds to a 'pleasure garden' in the 1880s.

Today, you too can enjoy our urban oasis.

You'll be absorbing almost 1000 years of history as you do!

$The remains of the keep at Pontefract Castle and a large tree in leaf$

The keep ruins

The remains of the castle keep and motte still tower over the grounds. They offer amazing views over Pontefract and the surrounding area.

In its heyday, you could have seen the fellow castles at Conisbrough, York and Sandal.

The medieval herb garden

Herbs were the miracle cures of the medieval period. Our medieval herb garden features over 160 plant varieties. It is looked after by our team of dedicated volunteers.

You can see and smell herbs historically used in cooking, medicines and dyeing.

We also sell cuttings in our Gift Shop!

Three siege coins, two rough diamond shapes and one a clearer cut octagon, with the image of the castle struck onto them

English Civil War siege coins

During the sieges of Pontefract Castle in the English Civil Wars, coins were in short supply.

They had to get creative to still be able to pay the soldiers stuck in the castle! So, they made their own.

These 'siege coins' were made from scrap metal in the castle ovens. There's some on display in the Visitor Centre.

A replica medieval bread oven against a stone wall with some of the stones tinged pink from fire

Pretty in pink

Spot the pink stone in the remains of the brewery and bakehouse. The stone turned pink from the fires used to power the ovens.

We also have a replica bread oven based on the medieval design.

In a modern twist, today it's sometimes used to cook pizza!

$A tour guide pointing at the remains of the base of a tower at Pontefract Castle$

See where Richard II was kept prisoner

Richard II was imprisoned at Pontefract Castle in 1399. A few short months later he met his end. Not bludgeoned to death like Shakespeare said, but starved!

Go on an Explorer Tour to find out more...