Heritage Open Days: Dungeon Tour

Join us for a tour of the Pontefract Castle dungeon! Free forHeritage Open Days [https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/]!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.We love our dungeon tours and know you will too!
Please read this information to make sure they are suitable for you and your group.
Then book your free tickets with the 'Book Now' button.Free tickets can also be booked 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.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.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.Dogs
Dogs are not allowed on the tour.Access
Unfortunately this tour is not accessible for blind / visually impaired 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 by going back to the main ticket page 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.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.