If you’re the kind of person who can’t resist a good ghost story—or you’ve watched way too many episodes of Most Haunted—you’ll want to add Pontefract Castle to your bucket list. For the first time, the castle is inviting groups to spend an evening inside its ancient stone walls, scanning for paranormal activity. Whether you’re a full-blown ghost hunter or just a curious local with a good torch and a brave face, this is your chance to find out if the spooky rumours are true.
What’s going on at Pontefract Castle?
From now on, you can book an evening at Pontefract Castle, one of Yorkshire’s most haunted spots (according to ghost enthusiasts, at least), to search for signs of the supernatural. The idea is simple—bring your gadgets, bring your mates, and see if you can pick up anything strange in the dead of night.
The castle has been around since 1086, so it’s seen more than its fair share of drama, bloodshed and heartbreak. Which, let’s be honest, is basically fuel for ghost stories.
A place soaked in spooky stories
If walls could talk, these would probably scream. Pontefract Castle has been through some seriously grim stuff. According to Cllr Hannah Appleyard, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, its “rich and fascinating history” makes it the perfect place for paranormal investigations.
So what makes it so creepy?
- It was once known as “Bloody Pomfret”, a nickname given by none other than Shakespeare.
- King Richard II died there while imprisoned above the Bakehouse.
- Thomas of Lancaster was tried and executed nearby.
- During the first two Sieges of Pontefract Castle, over 350 people are said to have died.
- Part of the site was used as a cemetery long before the castle was built, and human remains were still being uncovered as recently as 2017.
- The Elizabethan Chapel held the dead when cemeteries were full—some of those bodies are still there.
And that’s not even the full list.
Ghost-hunting gear at the ready
If you’re up for it, you can bring along all the usual ghost-hunting gear—EMF meters, dictaphones, thermal cameras, the lot. Or if you’re a bit more old school, maybe just bring your phone and a mate with nerves of steel.
Here’s what people usually look for:
- Sudden temperature drops
- Unexplained noises or whispers
- Lights flickering with no clear reason
- Shadows that move when they shouldn’t
Some folks swear by picking up voices on recordings—known as EVPs (electronic voice phenomena). Others just rely on goosebumps and gut feelings.
A history that keeps on haunting
You know those ghost stories where someone hears footsteps even though no one’s there? Or doors open on their own? Pontefract Castle has plenty of those kinds of tales.
Let’s break down a few chilling highlights from its past:
- Saxon Royal Palace Cemetery – Before the castle even existed, this land was used as a burial site. That’s centuries of unmarked graves just beneath your feet.
- The Dungeon – Originally a wine cellar, later used to imprison people during the English Civil Wars. Not the kind of place you want to get locked in.
- Catherine Howard and Thomas Culpepper, known for their ill-fated romance, were caught at the castle. They didn’t make it out alive.
- During WWII, the castle’s Barn (now the Activity Zone) became a temporary morgue after a Halifax bomber crashed.
So yeah, it’s not hard to see why ghost hunters keep showing up.
How to book your spooky night in
If all of this has you itching to grab your flashlight and go ghost-hunting, you can book your session directly through the Wakefield Council website:
👉 Paranormal Investigation Bookings at Pontefract Castle
You’ll need to organise a group and book in advance—no just turning up with a Ouija board and a flask of tea, sadly.
In case you’re wondering…
No, you don’t have to be a professional ghost hunter. And no, there’s no guarantee you’ll see or hear anything. But if you like a bit of local legend mixed with creepy vibes, it’s worth it just for the atmosphere.
You might just walk away with a spooky story of your own.
