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Pontefract Castle

3 ha

📷 steven ruffles · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

BirdsWildlifeHeritage

Dogs welcome3 ha

Getting here

53.69556, -1.30398

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

🐦49+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Goldfinch and Woodpigeon
✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
🧺Picnic area on site — summer afternoons here are an easy, low-cost day out

🌤️ Visiting this summer

🐦49+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Goldfinch and Woodpigeon
✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
🧺Picnic area on site — summer afternoons here are an easy, low-cost day out

Good to know

🐕Dogs welcome

Bike parkingParking· FreePicnic spotPlayground

Best for

5 activities

Bird watching

Strong match

Birds — Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Great Tit +46 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Great Tit +46 more · last seen 2026

Free

Wildlife

Strong match

Deciduous woodland priority habitat; Birds — Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Great Tit +46 more · last seen 2026

Free

Heritage

Strong match

Historic site

Free

Insect spotting

Good match

Insects — Harlequin Ladybird, Dark-edged Bee-fly, 7-spot Ladybird +2 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Harlequin Ladybird, Dark-edged Bee-fly, 7-spot Ladybird +2 more · last seen 2026

Free

Foraging

Good match

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚶

Walking

1 signed route nearby · 9 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths

Wakefield WayWalking route

Named routeRegional walking route

Atkinson Lanepublic footpath · 7 m

Public pathpublic footpathLength 7 mPath type: footway

Atkinson Lanepublic footpath · 10 m

Public pathpublic footpathLength 10 mPath type: footway

Atkinson Lanepublic footpath · 63 m

Public pathpublic footpathLength 63 mSurface gravelPath type: unclassified

🚴

Cycling

12 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

Castleford Wakefield GreenwayCycling route

Named routeRef 69Local cycle route

Route 69Cycling route

Named routeRef 69National Cycle Network

Castleford GreenwayCycling route

Named routeLocal cycle route

West Yorkshire Cycle RouteCycling route

Named routeRef WYCRRegional cycle route

Main RouteCycling route996 m

Named routeRef 69Length 996 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt

Main RouteCycling route1.4 km

Named routeRef 69Length 1.4 kmNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt

Wildlife to spot

13,725 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

13,725 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds76 species

springautumnwinter

2026

Woodpigeon · Goldfinch · Robin · Blackbird · Mallard +71

WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
RobinErithacus rubecula2025
BlackbirdTurdus merula2025
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
Great TitParus major
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus2025
DunnockPrunella modularis2025
Carrion CrowCorvus corone2025
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2025
MoorhenGallinula chloropus2025
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2025
MagpiePica pica2025
CootFulica atra2025
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2025
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatus2025
Canada GooseBranta canadensis2025
Tufted DuckAythya fuligula2025
StarlingSturnus vulgaris
KestrelFalco tinnunculus2025
Mute SwanCygnus olor2025
BuzzardButeo buteo2025
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii2025
Herring GullLarus argentatus2025
Stock DoveColumba oenas2025
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs2025
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis2025
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2025
Grey PartridgePerdix perdix2025
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2025
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2025
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo2025
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2025
PheasantPhasianus colchicus2025
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula2025
SkylarkAlauda arvensis2025
Coal TitPeriparus ater2025
GoldcrestRegulus regulus2025
JayGarrulus glandarius2025
GreenfinchChloris chloris2025
Greylag GooseAnser anser2025
RedwingTurdus iliacus2025
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclus2025
LinnetLinaria cannabina2025
Grey HeronArdea cinerea2025
Sand MartinRiparia riparia2025
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenus2025
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2025
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus2025
House MartinDelichon urbicum2025
TreecreeperCerthia familiaris2025
Common GullLarus canus2025
GoosanderMergus merganser2025
Reed WarblerAcrocephalus scirpaceus2025
WhitethroatCurruca communis2025
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2025
Barn OwlTyto alba2025
House SparrowPasser domesticus
SiskinSpinus spinus2025
Rock DoveColumba livia2025
SwallowHirundo rustica2025
SwiftApus apus2025
Little OwlAthene noctua
WoodcockScolopax rusticola2025
Red KiteMilvus milvus2025
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinus2025
SnipeGallinago gallinago2025
FieldfareTurdus pilaris2025
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis2025
JackdawColoeus monedula2025
KingfisherAlcedo atthis2025
Water RailRallus aquaticus2025
RookCorvus frugilegus2025
RavenCorvus corax2025
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2025
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca curruca2025

🦌

Mammals2 species

summer

2025

Hedgehog · Red Fox

HedgehogErinaceus europaeus
Red FoxVulpes vulpes

🐝

Insects20 species

springsummer

2026

Harlequin Ladybird · 7-spot Ladybird · Buff-tailed Bumblebee · Welsh Chafer · Green Shieldbug +15

Harlequin LadybirdHarmonia axyridis
7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata
Buff-tailed BumblebeeBombus terrestris2025
Welsh ChaferHoplia philanthus2025
Green ShieldbugPalomena prasina2025
Dark-edged Bee-flyBombylius major
Small Black AntLasius niger
Red-legged ShieldbugPentatoma rufipes
Field GrasshopperChorthippus brunneus2025
Dock BugCoreus marginatus2025
Western Honey BeeApis mellifera2025
Kidney-spot LadybirdChilocorus renipustulatus2025
Cuckoo-Spit InsectPhilaenus spumarius2025
Swollen-thighed BeetleOedemera nobilis2025
14-spot LadybirdPropylea quattuordecimpunctata2025
2-spot LadybirdAdalia bipunctata2025
Formica lemaniFormica lemani2025
Marmalade HoverflyEpisyrphus balteatus2025
Alder Leaf BeetleAgelastica alni2025
Drepanosiphum platanoidisDrepanosiphum platanoidis2025

🌿

Plants17 species

springsummer

2025

Red Campion · Butterfly-bush · Purple-loosestrife · Tufted Vetch · Common Nettle +12

Red CampionSilene dioica
Butterfly-bushBuddleja davidii
Purple-loosestrifeLythrum salicaria
Tufted VetchVicia cracca
Common NettleUrtica dioica
Red CloverTrifolium pratense
Meadow ButtercupRanunculus acris
Common RagwortJacobaea vulgaris
Rosebay WillowherbChamaenerion angustifolium
Meadow VetchlingLathyrus pratensis
Cock's-footDactylis glomerata
Yellow IrisIris pseudacorus
Common ToadflaxLinaria vulgaris
Welsh PoppyPapaver cambricum
Garlic MustardAlliaria petiolata
DaisyBellis perennis
Cow ParsleyAnthriscus sylvestris

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

13,725 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds76 species

springautumnwinter

2026

Woodpigeon · Goldfinch · Robin · Blackbird · Mallard +71

WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
RobinErithacus rubecula2025
BlackbirdTurdus merula2025
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
Great TitParus major
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus2025
DunnockPrunella modularis2025
Carrion CrowCorvus corone2025
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2025
MoorhenGallinula chloropus2025
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2025
MagpiePica pica2025
CootFulica atra2025
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2025
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatus2025
Canada GooseBranta canadensis2025
Tufted DuckAythya fuligula2025
StarlingSturnus vulgaris
KestrelFalco tinnunculus2025
Mute SwanCygnus olor2025
BuzzardButeo buteo2025
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii2025
Herring GullLarus argentatus2025
Stock DoveColumba oenas2025
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs2025
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis2025
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2025
Grey PartridgePerdix perdix2025
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2025
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2025
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo2025
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2025
PheasantPhasianus colchicus2025
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula2025
SkylarkAlauda arvensis2025
Coal TitPeriparus ater2025
GoldcrestRegulus regulus2025
JayGarrulus glandarius2025
GreenfinchChloris chloris2025
Greylag GooseAnser anser2025
RedwingTurdus iliacus2025
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclus2025
LinnetLinaria cannabina2025
Grey HeronArdea cinerea2025
Sand MartinRiparia riparia2025
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenus2025
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2025
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus2025
House MartinDelichon urbicum2025
TreecreeperCerthia familiaris2025
Common GullLarus canus2025
GoosanderMergus merganser2025
Reed WarblerAcrocephalus scirpaceus2025
WhitethroatCurruca communis2025
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2025
Barn OwlTyto alba2025
House SparrowPasser domesticus
SiskinSpinus spinus2025
Rock DoveColumba livia2025
SwallowHirundo rustica2025
SwiftApus apus2025
Little OwlAthene noctua
WoodcockScolopax rusticola2025
Red KiteMilvus milvus2025
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinus2025
SnipeGallinago gallinago2025
FieldfareTurdus pilaris2025
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis2025
JackdawColoeus monedula2025
KingfisherAlcedo atthis2025
Water RailRallus aquaticus2025
RookCorvus frugilegus2025
RavenCorvus corax2025
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2025
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca curruca2025

🦌

Mammals2 species

summer

2025

Hedgehog · Red Fox

HedgehogErinaceus europaeus
Red FoxVulpes vulpes

🐝

Insects20 species

springsummer

2026

Harlequin Ladybird · 7-spot Ladybird · Buff-tailed Bumblebee · Welsh Chafer · Green Shieldbug +15

Harlequin LadybirdHarmonia axyridis
7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata
Buff-tailed BumblebeeBombus terrestris2025
Welsh ChaferHoplia philanthus2025
Green ShieldbugPalomena prasina2025
Dark-edged Bee-flyBombylius major
Small Black AntLasius niger
Red-legged ShieldbugPentatoma rufipes
Field GrasshopperChorthippus brunneus2025
Dock BugCoreus marginatus2025
Western Honey BeeApis mellifera2025
Kidney-spot LadybirdChilocorus renipustulatus2025
Cuckoo-Spit InsectPhilaenus spumarius2025
Swollen-thighed BeetleOedemera nobilis2025
14-spot LadybirdPropylea quattuordecimpunctata2025
2-spot LadybirdAdalia bipunctata2025
Formica lemaniFormica lemani2025
Marmalade HoverflyEpisyrphus balteatus2025
Alder Leaf BeetleAgelastica alni2025
Drepanosiphum platanoidisDrepanosiphum platanoidis2025

🌿

Plants17 species

springsummer

2025

Red Campion · Butterfly-bush · Purple-loosestrife · Tufted Vetch · Common Nettle +12

Red CampionSilene dioica
Butterfly-bushBuddleja davidii
Purple-loosestrifeLythrum salicaria
Tufted VetchVicia cracca
Common NettleUrtica dioica
Red CloverTrifolium pratense
Meadow ButtercupRanunculus acris
Common RagwortJacobaea vulgaris
Rosebay WillowherbChamaenerion angustifolium
Meadow VetchlingLathyrus pratensis
Cock's-footDactylis glomerata
Yellow IrisIris pseudacorus
Common ToadflaxLinaria vulgaris
Welsh PoppyPapaver cambricum
Garlic MustardAlliaria petiolata
DaisyBellis perennis
Cow ParsleyAnthriscus sylvestris

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

Photos

$Pontefract Castle$

📷 steven ruffles · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Pontefract Castle

1 / 22

Events & activities nearby

Switch provider to compare local events, tours and bookable activities.

1 event

NOTNORTH on Tour - Pontefract

Fri 4 Sept, 00:00

The Drunken Fungus

Upcoming events within 5 km

Weather for this location

Next 14 days

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Pontefract ParkUrban park1.4 km→🌱Dale ParkUrban park600 m→🌱Friarwood Valley GardensUrban park800 m→🌱Friarwood Valley GardensUrban park800 m→🌱Friarwood Valley GardensUrban park900 m→🌱Hospital ParkUrban park500 m→

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