Wakefield Museums and Castles: home - Wakefield Museums and Castles
Wakefield Museums and Castles

Wakefield Museums and Castles - discover the extraordinary

Fireworks bursting from the keep at Pontefract Castle as the sun goes down

What's on

Exciting events. No-cost and low-cost activities and workshops. Expert talks and tours. Find out what's on at our sites.
A toddler in a red tunic grinning in front of Roman displays at Castleford Museum

Castleford Museum

Explore 15,000 years of local history at Castleford Museum! Uncover our Roman roots and learn about local industry.
The remains of the keep and curtain wall at Pontefract Castle with a tree overhanging in the foreground

Pontefract Castle

The Key to the North! Built around 1086 by Ilbert de Lacy, Pontefract Castle has many stories to tell.
A family doing dressing up in front of the Keirincx oil painting of Pontefract Castle in the 1640s

Pontefract Museum

Learn all about Pontefract's eventful history! From the Civil Wars to the success of liquorice - Pontefract has seen it all.
A child running with a kite with the remains of Sandal Castle in the background on a sunny day

Sandal Castle

Visit Sandal Castle, scene of the Battle of Wakefield in 1460! Sandal was a favourite castle of Richard III.
A child using a mini pair of binoculars to look around a nature reserve recreated in paper sculptures

Wakefield Museum

Explore the history of Wakefield at work and play. Discover surprising stories from the Merrie City.
Front, reverse, top and bottom views of a t-shaped silver gilt brooch, worn away to a pale red and yellow colour. There are celtic-style swirls along the brooch.

Be part of history

We're asking for your support to help us bring a rare Roman brooch into Wakefield's collection.

The ornate brooch was discovered in Hemsworth.

Your donations will also support its display, interpretation and community engagement.

Be part of history

Three adults looking at museum objects on ceiling-high shelves in the museum store

Explore our collections

We have over 110,000 amazing objects in our collections. From Rugby League to rhubarb, liquorice to local stories. Explore them online. Enjoy expert articles and curated content.

Collections and stories

Latest news and articles

The vibrant green leaves of a lemon balm plant. 13 Oct

Discover facts and folklore about lemon balm. It's our Medieval Herb Garden volunteers' plant of the week.

Medieval herb garden blog: Lemon balm
Two staff members dressed as witches. One wears a hat and holds a wand. The other is examining some slime. Onlookers observe. 25 Sep

Explore the terrific treats we've been cooking up in our cauldron for October half term!

October half term guide
A packet of Pontefract Castle branded Cannon Ball Seed Bombs. 18 Sep

We're thrilled that Pontefract Castle is the 2026 Seeds of Change award winner.

Pontefract Castle wins Seeds of Change award!

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