Wakefield Museums and Castles

A child grinning and shining a torch on historic graffiti in the dungeon

Dungeon Tours

Fri 1 August 2025 - Sun 29 March 2026, 10:45am - 11:30am

The next occurrence is Fri 3 October 2025

Pontefract Castle

Join us for a tour of the Pontefract Castle dungeon! Soak in the atmosphere of this eerie underground space.

Discover the many uses of the dungeon. See where English Civil War prisoners left to languish scratched their names into the rock. 

Tours run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 10:45am to 11:30am. We often run additional tours during school holidays and on special event days.

Tickets can also be bought on the morning of the tour from the castle gift shop, subject to availability. Online tickets will not be available on the day of the tour.

(Dungeon Tours are not suitable for under 5s, visually impaired visitors or wheelchair users due to 44 steep historic steps) 

We love our dungeon tours and know you will too! 
Please read all of the information on this page to make sure they are suitable for you and your group. 

1 August 2025 - Sun 29 March 2026

10:45am - 11:30am

Pontefract Castle

Meet at the Gift Shop before the tour starts

Adults £4.40, children (6+) £2.55

Not suitable for under 5s, wheelchair users or blind / partially sighted visitors

Ages 5+

Book Dungeon Tours Plan your visit

Under 5s

This tour is generally not suitable for young children and babies (under 5s). 
Children and babies cannot be carried up or down the steps due to the risk of falling.

Access

Unfortunately this tour is not accessible for blind / partially sighted visitors or wheelchair users. This is due to the low light levels, uneven ground and 44 steep historic steps down into the dungeon. 

Alternatively, we offer Castle Explorer Tours every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. These are fully level access and accessible for all. You can book these in advance online or at the Pontefract Castle Gift Shop.
 
Dogs and assistance animals cannot be allowed into the dungeon because of the steep steps.
The conditions in the dungeon are often damp and dark. This may make the tour uncomfortable for visitors with sensory hypersensitivities.

Meeting point

Meet at the Gift Shop inside the Visitor Centre 5 minutes before your tour starts.

Footwear

This tour involves going underground using steep steps. The dungeon floor is uneven. Sensible footwear is strongly recommended.

Duration

Tours last around 45 minutes.

Refunds

Generally, tickets are non-refundable. If we cancel the tour, your tickets will be refunded in this case.

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed on the tour.

Filming

Filming or photography of our staff is not allowed. 

Parking

Pontefract Castle car park is located on Beech Hill. This is a short distance from the castle entrance - a walk of around 5 minutes. The car park post code is WF8 2JF.

Contact us

Online bookings enquiries: Call 01924 302700 and leave a message. This number is monitored during office hours: Monday to Friday, 9 to 4. (It is not monitored at weekends and on bank holidays)


General visit and on-the-day enquiries: Contact the Pontefract Castle Gift Shop on 01977 723440 and leave a message. This number is monitored Tuesday to Sunday, 10 to 4.
You can also email us at castles@wakefield.gov.uk. Please note this email address is only monitored during office hours.

Contact information

Pontefract Castle, Castle Chain, Pontefract, West Yorkshire WF8 1QH Car Park: WF8 2JF

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