Pontefract Castle

This is a beautiful space. Free to enter. Free parking a block away (steep uphill ascent required... doable with stroller but a workout). The ruins have signs and audio run by dynamo explaining the story of the place. Beautifully kept green lawn with plenty of picnic tables and sun umbrellas. A dungeon tour if you are there early enough (I believe it is 10am - ckeck to be sure!). Some irregular stairs to get to the top (optional). Some sheltered seating, should the weather shift. Tall trees, a bit of history. The coffee shop is great. Closes 3.30, though. A cute visitor centre (mini museum displays) and gift shop. Free crafts for kids. Visitor centre closes at 4 (including toilets?). Beautiful kids playground castle-themed with ropes, hanging bridges, spinning game, a form of swing and a castle picture frame plus more picnic tables.A block away from All Saints church as well, where ruins and latter build can be seen.A great day out for all ages. Great views.

A must visit Castle. One of the historically significant castles of England, The gateway to the North." A bit knocked about by Oliver Cromwell

A free to visit site with a shop, cafe, toilets and an exhibition on the castle. There are information boards on the way round and a guidebook available for £3. There are also tours, including one of the dungeons. In its day, it must have been a site and one of the few to resist attack in the civil war. There is a small car park sing posted that is a short walk from the castle and a few disabled bays outside the castle for easy across. The pahs rounds are easy and hard standing, but there are a few steps and slopes. Picnic tables and a large grass area for the kids to burn off some energy. Worth also looking round the church as it was a victim of the civil war

What a fantastic day out. Really friendly, knowledgeable staff on site. Great cafe, reasonable prices too. Massively historic significance that is free and really cheap dungeon and site tours. Great adventure playground too and dressing up for the kids.

Free to enter castle, large but only partial. Herb garden and plant sales with visitor centre. Lovely big open grassed centre ideal for children letting off steam and parts to explore (with care). Ideal for picnics otherwise cafe and play area. Good events list.

It was a lovely day trip. Parking is fine, the walk around the ruins isn't long, but part of it is not accessible with a buggy, so take a baby carrier if you want to explore. The play park is amazing, so Definitely save an hour for this if you've got kids! Lots of picnic tables, so you can take your own food.

A lovely spot. Very close to the town centre, EASY walk.Visitor centre, refreshments and local history, dating back to 1070.Well worth it if you are in the town.

It's never going to put castles like Edinburgh or Dover out of business buts it's a lovely place to spend some time and have a wander. Really nicely presented, lots of info boards and great gardens that must be quite impressive when in season.Free parking nearby is a bonus (plus a couple of disabled spots right outside) but might get busy at peak times.

We went for the light up Wakefield event and was really surprised at how good it was! I would say it’s 50/50 pram safe and the castle looked really cool at night. Will hopefully try and go during the day at some point. NOTE: do not park at Aldi! You’ll end up with a £40 fine.