Where is Pontefract Castle?

Pontefract Castle is in Yorkshire, United Kingdom (postcode WF8 1QH), in the parish of Wakefield, unparished area.

How do I get to Pontefract Castle?

The nearest railway station is Pontefract Monkhill, about 0.4 km away. Drivers can use postcode WF8 1QH.

Who owns Pontefract Castle?

Pontefract Castle is owned by de Lacy family.

Is Pontefract Castle a listed building?

Pontefract Castle is officially recognised as scheduled monument listed.

Does Pontefract Castle charge admission?

Pontefract Castle typically charges admission. Check the official site for current ticket prices and opening hours.

How do I get to Pontefract Castle?

The nearest railway station is Pontefract Monkhill, about 0.4 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode WF8 1QH.

Castles · Yorkshire & the Humber

Pontefract Castle

In or near Brotherton.

Norman & medieval♿ Wheelchair: limited★ 4.5 · 1,994 Google reviews

Pontefract Castle — castle in West Yorkshire, England, UK.

Pontefract Castle, castles in Yorkshire & the Humber — Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence

Plan your visit

Typical visit: 1.5 h–3 h
Nearest railway station: Pontefract Monkhill · 0.4 km

Family-friendly
Limited wheelchair access

Getting there & planning your visit

To visit Pontefract Castle, the nearest railway station is Pontefract Monkhill, located 0.4 km away. The postcode for sat-nav is WF8 1QH. Please note that wheelchair accessibility is limited.

Directions on Google Maps →

Pontefract Castle is a castle in the United Kingdom — fortified architecture from the medieval, Tudor, or Victorian-revival period. Records date its origin to 1070. Heritage designation: scheduled monument. Owned by de Lacy family. Address: WF8 1QH. Wikidata describes it as: "castle in West Yorkshire, England, UK". Coordinates: 53.6955°, -1.3039°.

Photo gallery

See it from the streetimagery from 2022

Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0

Heritage listing

Pontefract (or Pomfret) Castle is a castle ruin in the town of Pontefract, in West Yorkshire, England. King Richard II is thought to have died there. It was the site of a series of sieges during the 17th-century English Civil War. Pontefract Castle is owned by the Duchy of Lancaster and managed by Wakefield Council.

From the Historic England List Entry under OGL v3.

Official information

Pontefract Castle is a significant medieval fortress in Yorkshire, known for its rich history involving royal scandals and Civil War sieges. Visitors can explore the castle's ruins, participate in family activities, and learn about centuries of history.

From the Wikipedia article

Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.

Background

History

The castle, on a rock to the east of the town above All Saints' Church, was constructed in approximately 1070 by Ilbert de Lacy on land which had been granted to him by William the Conqueror as a reward for his support during the Norman Conquest. There is, however, evidence of earlier occupation of the site. Initially the castle was a wooden structure which was replaced with stone over time. The Domesday Survey of 1086 recorded "Ilbert's Castle" which probably referred to Pontefract Castle. Robert de Lacy failed to support King Henry I during his power struggle with his brother, and the King confiscated the castle from the family during the 12th century. Roger de Lacy paid King Richard I…

Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Coordinates: 53.6955, -1.3039
District: Wakefield
Parish: Wakefield, unparished area
Postcode: WF8 1QH
Parliamentary constituency: Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Phone: 01977 723440
Established: 1070
Nearest railway station: Pontefract Monkhill — 0.4 km
Opening: Mo-Fr 08:30-16:30; Sa-Su 09:30-16:30
Official site: www.wakefield.gov.uk

Sources

wikidata: Q1949590 (CC0)
wikipedia: Pontefract Castle (CC BY-SA 4.0)
commons: Pontefract Castle.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Other places nearby

Nearby

Steps to the Keep - geograph.org.uk - 5220508

📷 3

Historic houses · Yorkshire & the Humber

Keep

Keep — a historic house in england-yorkshire, United Kingdom.

👶↗ wakefield.gov.uk

$All Saints' Church, Pontefract - geograph.org.uk - 8179800$ 📷 3

Historic houses · Yorkshire & the Humber

Constable's Tower

Constable's Tower — a historic house in england-yorkshire, United Kingdom.

Free👶↗ wakefield.gov.uk

$All Saints' Church, Pontefract - geograph.org.uk - 8179800$ 📷 3

Historic houses · Yorkshire & the Humber

St Clement's Chapel

St Clement's Chapel — a historic house in england-yorkshire, United Kingdom.

Free👶↗ wakefield.gov.uk

$The west and south towers of Pontefract Castle - geograph.org.uk - 7942555$ 📷 3

Historic houses · Yorkshire & the Humber

Kitchen

Kitchen — a historic house in england-yorkshire, United Kingdom.

Free👶↗ wakefield.gov.uk

$The west and south towers of Pontefract Castle - geograph.org.uk - 7942555$ 📷 3

Historic houses · Yorkshire & the Humber

Gascoigne Tower

Gascoigne Tower — a historic house in england-yorkshire, United Kingdom.

Free👶↗ wakefield.gov.uk

$All Saints' Church, Pontefract - geograph.org.uk - 8179800$ 📷 3

Historic houses · Yorkshire & the Humber

Hall

Hall — a historic house in england-yorkshire, United Kingdom.

Free👶↗ wakefield.gov.uk

Where to eat & stay near Pontefract Castle

Places to stay

📷 5

Caravan parks · Yorkshire & the Humber

Oakland Hill Estate

Oakland Hill Estate — a caravan park in england yorkshire.

Wentbridge House Hotel - geograph.org.uk - 2281010

📷 6

Hotels · Yorkshire & the Humber

Wentbridge Hotel

Wentbridge Hotel — a hotel in england yorkshire.

📷 5

Caravan parks · Yorkshire & the Humber

Nostell Holiday Park

Nostell Holiday Park — a caravan park in england yorkshire.

Agbrigg Common - geograph.org.uk - 5958181

📷 5

Caravan parks · Yorkshire & the Humber

Heath Common Travelers Site

Heath Common Travelers Site — a caravan park in england yorkshire.

📷 5

Hotels · Yorkshire & the Humber

Oulton Hall Hotel

Oulton Hall Hotel — a hotel in england yorkshire.

↗ oultonhallhotel.co.uk

Wakefield - White Horse Yard - geograph.org.uk - 3328104

📷 5

Hotels · Yorkshire & the Humber

Bank House Hotel

Bank House Hotel — a hotel in england yorkshire.

↗ yorkshire.com