Wakefield Museums and Castles

Pontefract Museum closed Thursday 2 October

Pontefract Museum will be closed today Thursday 2 October 2025 all day. This is to allow for some essential maintenance work. 

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

The museum will be back open tomorrow Friday 3 October.

Things to do at Pontefract Museum Pontefract Museum

A child grinning and handing out a plastic carrot from a toy market stall

Things to do at Pontefract Museum

There’s lots to do at Pontefract Museum. Get ready to get hands on, get dressed up, and get creative!

Discover Pontefract’s history in a family-friendly way here at the museum.

Looking for events at Pontefract Museum? Head to our What's On page.

A child dressed in a genie costume holding a wand, with adults looking at dressing up costumes either side of them

Put on a show

Be inspired by pantomimes of the past in our feature exhibition, Oh yes it is! 75 years of the St Giles with St Mary’s Pantomime Society. Delve into our dressing-up box and take to the stage!

A child on a large wooden rocking horse with a painting of Screwdriver winning a horse race behind her

Giddy up!

Imagine you're a jockey at Pontefract's famous racecourse. Put on your racing silks to ride our rocking horse. Challenge champion horse Screwdriver to a race round the track.

(Adults can go on the rocking horse too!)

A child grinning and handing out a plastic carrot from a toy market stall

Be a market trader

Ponterfract Market has been at the heart of the town since medieval times. Spot the historic market bell. Step into our recreated Buttercross and become a trader yourself!

An adult and child looking at old newspaper articles from a folder, next to a wall full of folders

Dig deeper

Explore Pontefract's fascinating history in our Reference Room. Browse our wide range of books, articles and maps. Flick through photographs of Pontefract from the past. It's free to use and no booking is required.

A child placing a blue clear plastic block onto a lightbox containing different colours and shapes of plastic blocks

Light up your life

Mix and match coloured blocks on the lightbox in our gorgeous Glass Room! See how different colours change when lit up. Be inspired by the wonderful and whimsical glass pieces on display. Create your own designs.

A child holding a piece of paper over a large replica coin and making a rubbing

Make an impression

Create your own rubbing based on a coin from the Ackworth Hoard! Discover the story behind this local treasure.Touch the replica and compare it to the coins in your pocket today.

Events and activities

We have a wide range of events and activities at Pontefract Museum throughout the year.

What's on
Two children grinning with Santa at Pontefract Museum

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