Pontefract Castle Reviews Summary

Castle Grounds and Maintenance

Pros:

• "A huge open space surrounded by the ruins of a once vast castle."
• "The grounds are immaculate and plenty of useful information signs dotted around the whole site."
• "The grounds have been refurbished and are nice to have a picnic on a sunny day."
• "Beautifully kept green lawn with plenty of picnic tables and sun umbrellas."
• "Grounds were clean and tidy gorgeous playground was awesome."
• "It's a large open area, lots of picnic tables and benches."
• "The grounds are kept to an immaculate standard including the children's recreation area gift shop Cafe information and toilet facilities."

Cons:

• "The place, where many years ago, we performed some witchcraft, has disappeared, which was disappointing."
• "More notices are needed to show what you're looking at."
• "Sadly deteriorating very quickly. Wakefield council need to get a move on and make this extremely historic castle right again."
• "Really disappointed that we could hardly access any part of the castle when we visited on the 16th of Feb."
• "Litterly walked in saw everything was fenced off, told the cafe was shut and opening late and walked out."
• "Supervision is definitely required for younger children on some sections due to the steep drops/edges."
• "Certain parts of it need making safer extra fencing needed and hand rails."

Visitor Facilities

Pros:

• "Visited the newly opened café and the work they've done is fab, including the museum, shop and activity room."
• "The new cafe is fantastic and reasonably priced offering a good selection of drinks and cakes."
• "Lovely coffee shop, not too expensive either."
• "A cute visitor centre (mini museum displays) and gift shop."
• "The cafe and gift shop are open Weds - Sun 10-4pm."
• "Great adventure playground too and dressing up for the kids."
• "On site there is a playground, shop, cafe and toilet."

Cons:

• "Cafe was shut due to staff issues on our visit."
• "There were no scheduled tours and the dungeons were not open."
• "The cafe wasn't open."
• "The dungeon entrance was padlocked off, presumably because of the lockdown?"
• "Cafe was closed when we visited, just drinks and cake available."
• "Visitor centre closes at 4 (including toilets?)."
• "The cafe was shut when it was supposed to be open."

Parking and Accessibility

Pros:

• "Free limited parking a stone's throw away."
• "The car park was where we parked our car. It was free to park there and we visited the castle and had a good walk round."
• "Free parking a block away (steep uphill ascent required... doable with stroller but a workout)."
• "No car park on site but Aldi and the local church's carpark is a 3-5 minutes walk away."
• "Free to enter and free parking."
• "Parking is free and no admission except for the dungeon which is only available to view on a thurs, sat, sun."
• "Also disabled parking outside the castle instead of going to main car park."

Cons:

• "Parking difficult to find due to lack of signage, if you're not a local."
• "Went on Saturday morning they had blocked all the roads to the car parks."
• "There are some steps as you go around so wheelchairs and pushchairs can't access all areas."
• "It's not the best castle as most of it is destroyed."
• "I do not recommend for those want to see only the ruins so you have nothing to see in this place."
• "They need to think about elderly and disabled more."
• "Supposed to be open till 4:30 today 17.2.19 just been 3:10 and no access to castle, visitor centre/shop closed."

Staff and Service

Pros:

• "Brilliantly run by very friendly and involved staff."
• "Michael who did the dungeon tour was particularly knowledgeable."
• "Thank you, to the Pontefract team for everything you all do and absolutely 💯% great job everyone👍"
• "Members of the enacting group were very friendly and professional."
• "Staff are super friendly."
• "Special mention must go to the staff, friendly, helpful and informative."
• "Really friendly, knowledgeable staff on site."

Cons:

• "Disappointed that having spoken on the phone with a team member at 10:30am and advised to arrive by 1pm to buy my ticket and enter the dungeon tour at 1:15pm. I duly arrived at 1pm only to be told that the tour was fully booked."
• "Did find the lady in the gift shop a little intrusive and surly."
• "Complete and utter waste of a journey, stayed 20min and left."
• "Book in advance for anything especially if a free event, been a few times having not booked and been disappointed that it was fully booked."
• "As it was a Monday the gift shop/cafe were closed which was a shame."
• "Let down a little by a cafe with very little choice despite what it says on the menu."
• "The Café has a very limited menu although the service is excellent would have liked to try Liquorice Allsort decorated cake etc."