Wakefield Museums and Castles

We have an Easy Read guide for the main galleries. You can find this in the Pick and Mix station in the entrance foyer. You can take this with you around the galleries.

There are Makaton signs next to some of our star objects. These can help you to communicate about what is on display.

You can download our visual story for Pontefract Museum before you visit.

You can also download and print our PECS cards before your visit.

You can download a floor plan of the museum.

You can download a sensory map of the main galleries before you visit.

We also have a sensory map of the Oh yes it is! feature exhibition.

Copies of the sensory maps and PECS cards are available in the Pick and Mix station in the entrance foyer.

Some of our exhibition spaces have low light levels to protect the delicate objects on display. 

There are lots of tactile tools and resources available to support your visit in the Pick and Mix station. This is just inside the entrance to the museum.

There are lots of hands-on elements in Pontefract Museum.

In the main gallery space there is a mini puppet theatre, hand puppets and story books.

There is a dressing up box near the Civil Wars display.

There is a raised impression of a Civil War coin from the Ackworth Hoard that you can touch and make a rubbing of.

There is a rocking horse that you can touch and ride if you are able.

There is also a toy market stall.

In the Oh yes it is! temporary exhibition, there are pantomime themed dressing up costumes in a box.

The fire alarm at Pontefract Museum is tested at 10:30am on Tuesdays.

Generally, the site is quieter during weekdays and school opening hours.

It can be louder at weekends, the late afternoons and in the school holidays.

We have weekly Relaxed Opening sessions every Tuesday afternoon, 2pm to 4pm.

You can contact us in advance to find out when might be the best time for you to visit.