Sandal Castle — Attraction in Wakefield

A lovely still and sunny spring day this is a great place to visit. I wandered the well - maintained footpaths and steps around the site, really getting to grips with the structure, which is not something you can do with all historic monuments. There were a number of families with young children who really seemed to enjoy the setting. Every thing is free at this council - run location, including a compact and very informative visitor's centre. Again, packed with kids and lots of learning opportunities for them on the walls, in models etc. It also looks like there are events at certain times. Refreshments are available but sadly no hot drinks. Thanks mostly to the efforts of the Parliamentarians, Sandal Castle was destroyed following the defeat of the Royalist garrison. What a shame. It does serve to remind you what a fearsome component in the war machine of the time a castle would have been. This one has been bludgeoned beyond recognition but the models give you a flavour. Take the time to continue down Manygates Lane if you can. Within the railings of the Adult Education Centre there is a memorial to Richard, Duke of York; who fell in the area overlooked by the castle in the Battle of Wakefield. There is a typically romanticised Victorian inscription, but it is pleasing that the passing of such an important man of the...

Not a huge amount of masonry left above ground but what there is is quite interesting. Comprehensively excavated in the 1960s/70s, the castle area is not as picturesque as it used to be and some, older, locals regret that.

Run by the local council, budget cuts mean that it has not been as well maintained of late as it once was. The visitor centre had to close a few years back, which was a shame, but a family have taken over the building and are now running a splendid little, dog friendly, cafe during the day.

A small car park and gravelled paths make it an excellent place for a short walk in most weathers, although it can get a tad breezy, being on top of a hill and all. Splendid views over towards Wakefield with its cathedral, looking out over the site of the Battle of Wakefield where Richard, Duke of York, was killed during the Wars of the Roses and in the other direction towards the Pennines, looking out over Pugneys Country Park, with its lakes with the hills...

Have visited many times for a quick walk with the dog whilst passing. Previously just did a circuit around the outside of the moat, but there are now recently completed renovations which make the visit more enjoyable eg they have replaced the bridge over the moat so you can now cross into the bailey, and also the steps up the side of the Mott (sadly neither I nor my dog are capable now of making that climb - age has gotten us both!) so we wandered around the bailey looking at the new information boards and peering down the well! Some parts of the stonework have been restored - now don't get me wrong - they haven't rebuilt the keep or anything like that - there isn't a lot left standing but the work that has been done has enhanced what there is and made the site more interesting. It's usually a bit breezy up there tho so take a jacket...and it is still...