The first of three sieges began in December 1644 and continued until the following March when Marmaduke Langdale, 1st Baron Langdale of Holme arrived with Royalist reinforcements and the Parliamentarian army retreated. Heard of the castle through family never seen it advertised anywhere,been English heritage members this castle was very good even on a bleak November day which was such a good surprise the local authority does it best but it is so under sold it has such a good position. Tickets are now available for Under the Keep of Pontefract Castle - Heritage Open Days at Pontefract Castle, Pontefract on Sat 10 Sep 2022 at 10:00AM. Tue 10 Oct 2023 - In 1400, King Richard II was held and executed at Pontefract Castle after Henry IV claimed the throne. more. With the accession of the Lancastrians to the throne, Pontefract quickly began to hold a key position in the north of England, growing in size and importance whilst other castles nearby dwindled. Underground streets, tunnels, culverts, April 2007 - The Hyde Park Picture House, June 2007 - Tunnels Under City Station. 8:30 am During their tenure they continued to improve the castle, upgrading the original motte and bailey structure with a more permanent and larger military fortress which the famous king Edward I described as the key to the north. All these, well furnished by the Duke of Brittany After approx. Sir John Norbery, Sir Robert Waterton, and Francis Quoint M-F 08:30-16:30, Sa Su 09:30-16:30. Parts of the original motte and bailey wall can still be seen, as can remnants of the chapel. Ben explained the way to get there on foot and where the monument was and also informed us about the Museum in the town. Heritage It was retaken for the King in 1648 but the defenders were starved out in 1649 after a 5 month siege and afterwards it was demolished by Parliament. Pontefract Castle Dungeon Tour - YouTube Stand in the remains of the bread ovens, and imagine a time when the castle held lavish banquets for some of Englands most famous kings and queens. 20 October 1536 - The Surrender of Pontefract Castle Then younger visitors can create their own adventures in our castle themed adventure playground. M62 Jct32 Music, ON Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page. From battles and sieges, starvation and destruction to royal infidelity and the cultivation of liquorice, you'll be surprised at what these walls have seen! Today, the castle is a place of family-friendly adventure, with wide open spaces to play and fascinating ruins to investigate. Theatre, ON Tue 09 May 2023, ON I'd forgotten about Manuels - I was friends with the owner's sister at school and now you mention it, there was talk of a tunnel there. A large scale upgrade and expansion that had been commissioned by John of Gaunt in 1374, was completed at some point in the fifteenth Century and Pontefract gained the nickname 'key to the North' due to its huge strength and scale. ( updated Aug 2018) The ruins of Pontefract Castle's keep In the closing years of the 14th century, Richard II banished John of Gaunt's son Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Hereford, from England. WF8 2JF. A little, raggedly girl is also thought to be here. It was subsequently destroyed by cannon fire and fell into disrepair. Did the Easter trail for the dragon egg. Continue onto Park Road (A639) This made it one of the strongest castles in the north of England. Tour, Now - A contemporary French chronicler suggested that Richard II had been hacked to death, but this is, according to the ODNB, "almost certainly fictitious". By the beginning of the 15th century it had become a royal castles and had been strengthened with the addition of 7 new . Drakelow Tunnels Ghost Hunts, Worcestershire - HauntedHappenings.co.uk Walk from Pontefract town centre via Horsefair, Micklegate and Castle Chain. What impressed me the most is it and the car park were free. Pontefract Races. [3] Roger de Lacy paid King RichardI 3,000marks for the Honour of Pontefract, but the King retained possession of the castle. by MisterEyes Thu 01 May, 2014 11:24 pm, Post This article will tell you all about this interesting place. When my father was renovating the house he wanted to put a date on the side, we knew the house was built in the 1600's but did not have a specific year, so he made one up. I am un aware of the state of the tunnel (ie still insitu are blocked up).I will try and find more info on this. Has your imagination been sparked? Following the death of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, in 1399, Richard II seized much of the property due to Bolingbroke. I've been in pontefract for a year now. Pontefract Castle used to be one of the greatest castles in all of England. Ignite your imagination as you explore the pathways and take in some of the imposing stonework. Pontefract Castle 4 291 reviews #1 of 22 things to do in Pontefract Castles Closed now 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM Visit website Call Email Write a review About From its construction in 1070 to its destruction after the Civil Wars, this once-fearsome fortress dominated Yorkshire and beyond, earning the nickname, "Key to the North". Read more. Today, the castle is a place of family-friendly adventure, with wide open spaces to explore and play, and fascinating ruins to investigate. History culture and architecture in Leeds, Post Drakelow Tunnels ghost hunts in Kidderminster, spend the night on one of Haunted Happenings overnight ghost hunts at Drakelow Tunnels. Only the lower parts of the towers, keep and walls remain. Families Sat 06 May 2023 - by chris 90 Sun 11 Mar, 2007 9:58 pm, Post Media. [6], Richard III had two relatives of Elizabeth Woodville beheaded at Pontefract Castle on 25 June 1483 her son, Sir Richard Grey, and her brother, Anthony Woodville, 2nd Earl Rivers.[7]. The first stone castle was built by William the Conqueror when he invaded England in 1066. Some annual events include Medieval Games, the Battle of Wakefield Anniversary and various theatre productions. by Steve Jones Fri 02 May, 2014 10:18 am, Post In the closing years of the 14th century, Richard II banished John of Gaunts son Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Hereford, from England. Join Pontefract Castle for a special Heritage Open Day tour under the keep of the castle! The castle is a good example of a Norman fortress, and although it initially appears to be very small, it contains many features that were built for defence including a secret tunnel and escape-route. 6 Castles Connected to Shakespeare by Cassidy Cash - On the Tudor Trail By the 13 th century, Pontefract Castle had been transformed from a humble wooden fort to a formidable stronghold. A tunnel in Kippax - SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in King Richard II, being in Ireland at the time, was in no position to oppose Bolingbroke. Decided to have a bus ride to Pontefract. Some believe that the site was used for a wooden fortification as early as 300 BC. Hope this helps x, entrance to the castle is free Tour, ON The White House Tunnel - Pontefract. Sorry, really sorry - historians probably hate that kind of thing.During renovations we found a bricked up doorway/arch in the foundations of the exterior wall at the back of the house (North east corner). Workshop, ON We did however meet a lovely guy called Ben who worked there. Not knowing what to expect, I was pleasantly surprised at what a beautiful site Pontefract Castle is. Other notable events said to have taken place here include the surrender of the castle to the Pilgrimage of Grace rebels who rose up against Henry VIII as well as being a setting for the infamous liaisons between Henrys fifth queen, Catherine Howard, and Thomas Culpeper. History Hit brings you the stories that shaped the world through our award winning podcast network and an online history channel. Turn left onto North Baileygate. Recommended for people from 6 years old. By Alexander Keirincx Art UK, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons. Mary, Queen of Scots was lodged at the castle on 28 January 1569, travelling between Wetherby and Rotherham. Pontefract Castle. Here are a couple of relevant facts about that house and the tunnel in question:The date on the side of the house (16xx - if I recall correctly) is incorrect, in fact it is made up. Pontefract also has an torre albarrana, a fortification almost unknown outside the Iberian Peninsula. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Holy thread resurrection batman! Entrance to the castle is FREE, we look forward to seeing you soon! I took a trip when it was open and its a lovely place. The Hidden Dungeons of Pontefract Castle, and a look into the rumours of Secret Tunnels under Pontefract. O thou bloody prison, The castle is open daily from April to September. Tue 07 Nov 2023 - Need refuelling? according to a friends friend there is a tunnel that leads from a house in well lane Kippax across to the church yard some 300-500m in length. Pontefract remained a Lancastrian stronghold during the Wars of the Roses. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. He also is said to have given them a white rose each to show that they had fought bravely. [3] It next went to Henry, Duke of Lancaster and subsequently to John of Gaunt, third son of King EdwardIII. Not usually open to the public, the keep gate is often connected with stories about secret tunnels leading to the castle. That late broke from the Duke of Exeter, Not usually open to the public the keep gate is often connected with stories about secret tunnels leading to the castle. King Henry VIII of England stayed at the castle arriving on 23 August 1541 during his summer royal progress of the North. You can easily from course to seeing the parade ring and winner's getting their trophy. 1978 to 1990 I lived in the house at 4 Leeds Road, the one referred to above as the second oldest house in Kippax. Parts of a 12th-century wall and the Piper Tower's postern gate and the foundations of a chapel are the oldest remains. Pontefract castle remained a Royal castle and over the centuries went through many transformations. [12], Oliver Cromwell led the final siege of Pontefract Castle in November 1648. The cafe & office was closed. During its life the castle was rebuilt and added to as the castle fulfilled different functions; acting as a fortress, a royal castle, a centre of local administration, a prison and an armoury. Pontefract.org.uk - All content copyright 2014. Unfortunately nothing remains of the Great Hall except the cellars underneath. Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our. We take a look at the rumours of Secret Tunnels underneath the. Google Maps Pontefract - All You Need to Know | I'm From Yorkshire [16] On Yorkshire Day 2019, the restoration was completed, and the castle was removed from Historic England's "Heritage At Risk" list. Admission to the castle and the adjoining Visitors Centre is free of charge and the castle is open to visitors 7 days a week with summer hours being 8.30-5pm Mon-Fri and 9.30am-6.15pm Sat-Sun. Hi, 8.30am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am - 4.30pm Saturday and Sunday. Nowadays it's a tourist attraction. Free Admission. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Urbex: The White House Tunnel, Pontefract - October 2012 Age guidance. Pontefract has a history rife with famous prisoners Richard II, James I of Scotland and Charles Duke of Orleans were all imprisoned at different times in one of the castles many dungeons. Required fields are marked *. A visit to the ruined Pontefract Castle gave me some clues. About 50,000 people visit Pontefract Castle every year, The site is now secured at night, but access in the daytimes is free, Theres a small charge for a quick tour of the dark ammunition cellars. Explore this fascinating and exciting medieval ruin of Englands West Yorkshire borough for free! We show you around the Castle Grounds, exploring all the remains and. 100% of travellers recommend this experience. The grounds are well kept and there's more of the castle left than I though there would be. Pontefract Castle. Photo Andrew Tivenan. Pontefract - Experience Wakefield Shakespeare's play Richard II (Act 2, scene 1, 277) relates Bolingbrokes homecoming in the words of Northumberland in the speech of the eight tall ships:-, NORTHUMBERLAND Known for having a bloody prison reputation, the castle was made up of a large network of dungeons. I spent most of my childhood summers exploring castles of England and Wales, and most of my adulthood teaching humanities in Secondary schools. Venue. - 5:00 pm, Tuesday : Welcome to Pontefract. Pontefract Castle grounds are open 7 days a week Our Visitor Centre and Shop are open Weds to Sun 10-4pm Tel: 01977 723440 Parking: WF8 2JF. In the 19th Century, the castle was used by liquorice growers. Very interesting place, well kept and beautiful views. 9:30 am Located in the heart of West Yorkshire, this historic market town is home to the picturesque ruins of one of England's most important castles (once known as "The Key To The North") as well as a brace of beautiful parks, some outstanding examples of Georgian architecture, and a whole host of independent boutiques and coffee shops. The Castle Coffee Shop at Pontefract Castle, Kings Coronation Weekend at Pontefract Castle, Pontefract Castle Dungeon Tour Heritage Open Day, Friends & Enemies Pontefract & Sandal Castles, Have a Dabble Christmas Batik Table Runner, Have a Dabble Natural Christmas Garland, Have a Dabble Chocolate Christmas Treats, Truth, Myths & Lies 6 Key Events in the History of Pontefract Castle. It started life in 1070 when Ilbert de Lacy built a wooden castle on land that was given to him by William the Conqueror. Sat 10 Jun 2023 - The Road to the Crown - Elizabeth I's Coronation Procession, Built by a Giantess? the house was once owned by the undertaker. I think the tunnel was used by monks or clergy men to escape from the church during the reformation when King Henry VIII sent soldiers out to plunder monastrys, churchs etc. 2. On the eastern side of Pontefract town centre, Castle Garth, Pontefract, West Yorkshire WF8 1QH. There's a garden of medicinal plants and the gardener, Carol, is a wealth of information about their uses and about mediaeval remedies for all kinds of ailments. [3] The Domesday Survey of 1086 recorded "Ilbert's Castle" which probably referred to Pontefract Castle. King RichardII is thought to have died there. - 5:00 pm. Castles varied in shapes and sizes throughout history with later kings and rulers adopting a "bigger is . It is still possible to visit the castle's 11th-century cellars, which were used to store military equipment during the civil war. Sun 17 Sep 2023, ON The castle at Pontefract was among such properties which was under threat. Be sure to leave time to explore the extensive grounds. During the English Civil War it was the last Royalist fortress to surrender and underwent numerous sieges until Parliament, more specifically Oliver Cromwell, ordered its demolition following Charles Is execution. However, the castle was rapidly lost again this time to Richard of York after King Henry VI regained the throne. BBC - Bradford and West Yorkshire - Places - Petrified in Pontefract! The castle ruins are free to enter. The stone curtain walls and towers were added in the 1170's and the three storey stone shell keep a few years later. Another visit due then but it will have to be a Friday or the weekend! Pontefract Castle used to be one of the greatest castles in all of England. Pontefract - Travel guide at Wikivoyage What lies beneath us? The Archaeology of Tunnels - Adults 18+ The Secret Tunnel Of Pontefract Castle | What's Inside? In 1536, the castle's guardian, Thomas Darcy, 1st Baron Darcy de Darcy handed over the castle to the leaders of the Pilgrimage of Grace, a Catholic rebellion from northern England against the rule of King HenryVIII. This course is about the kinds of use that tunnels are put to, but they are also an opportunity for you to bring your stories and tales of Pontefract.Booking is Essential. PONTEFRACT CASTLE. Then we venture underground to see a hidden well, deep underneath the ancient Keep.VIDEO INFORMATION CREDITS \u0026 THANK YOU'SIan DownesPontefract CastleWakefield CouncilWEBSITE - http://www.adventureme.co.ukMERCH - http://shop.adventureme.co.ukFACEBOOK - facebook.com/adventuremeytINSTAGRAM - instagram.com/adventuremeytTWITTER - twitter.com/adventuremeytSUPPORT THE ADVENTURE MEMBERSHIP - http://www.youtube.com/adventureme/join PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/adventureme BUY ME A COFFEE - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/adventureme DONATION - paypal.me/adventureme WISH LIST - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/1EDGUV263Q1PQ?ref_=wl_share SUBSCRIBE - https://www.youtube.com/adventureme?sub_confirmation=1EQUIPMENT USED - Buy from Amazon links below, and generate a little kick back for the channel.Sony ZV-1 Camera - https://amzn.to/3xnEScTGoPro Hero 9 Black Camera - https://amzn.to/2HLYJMqDJI Mini 2 Drone - https://amzn.to/2X2K4kzGoPro Light Mod - https://amzn.to/3NMwyKuGoPro Mic Adapter - https://amzn.to/3e5uFaZRDE Lavalier GO - https://amzn.to/2BLuN0FRDE Wireless Go - https://amzn.to/2ClPsbeChest Camera Mount - https://amzn.to/3gNvdCxCamera Backpack - https://amzn.to/2ZSvDQXUlanzi Powered Selfie Stick - https://amzn.to/384g5iyCOPYRIGHT DISCLAIMERA special thank you to all video content film makers and photographers who's footage or pictures are featured in this video.