Wakefield Museums and Castles

Dark deeds, grizzly tales and gruesome ends… Pontefract Castle has seen it all!

Join our costumed guide (Chris Cade) as he takes on the role of local Victorian historian Richard Holmes. ‘Richard’ will lead you on a lantern-lit tour of the castle, illuminating its dark history.

Richard Holmes was the leading historian of Pontefract in the 1800s. Listen to his spooky stories from Pontefract's past.

Using Holmes’ original publications, Chris Cade has created an entertaining and educational tour of the castle.

Book your tickets now for a terrific night out – if you dare!

The Pontefract Castle grounds close at 4:30 pm daily for general visitors. On the evenings of the Richard Holmes tours, the castle grounds will reopen at 6 pm.

The Keep Café will also be open 6 pm to 8:30 pm for pre-tour hot drinks on these days.

Tour dates and times:

• Wednesday 22 October, 7pm to 8pm

• Wednesday 22 October, 8:30pm to 9:30pm

• Friday 7 November, 7pm to 8pm

• Friday 7 November, 8:30pm to 9:30pm

Access note:

This tour involves steps around the site and going into the dungeon. The dungeon can only be accessed by a series of steep historical steps.

If you cannot comfortably reach the dungeon, we can show you a video of the dungeon tour on a tablet while the rest of the group are below ground.

The tour is not suitable for under 5s.