Wakefield Museums and Castles
@wakefieldmuseums.bsky.social
Wakefield Council Museums & Castles team. Follow us for news about our museums and castles across the district and stories from our collections.
Pinned
Our incredible #Medieval Herb Garden volunteers have done it - they've published a whole year of blogs! 🌱🏰
Discover a different plant of the week for a whole year.
Explore handy gardening tips, facts and folklore about our fantastic flora.
Browse them all at wmandc.co/herbs
#MedievalHistory
Discover a different plant of the week for a whole year.
Explore handy gardening tips, facts and folklore about our fantastic flora.
Browse them all at wmandc.co/herbs
#MedievalHistory
Our incredible #Medieval Herb Garden volunteers have done it - they've published a whole year of blogs! 🌱🏰
Discover a different plant of the week for a whole year.
Explore handy gardening tips, facts and folklore about our fantastic flora.
Browse them all at wmandc.co/herbs
#MedievalHistory
Discover a different plant of the week for a whole year.
Explore handy gardening tips, facts and folklore about our fantastic flora.
Browse them all at wmandc.co/herbs
#MedievalHistory
January 6, 2026 at 10:46 AM
Our incredible #Medieval Herb Garden volunteers have done it - they've published a whole year of blogs! 🌱🏰
Discover a different plant of the week for a whole year.
Explore handy gardening tips, facts and folklore about our fantastic flora.
Browse them all at wmandc.co/herbs
#MedievalHistory
Discover a different plant of the week for a whole year.
Explore handy gardening tips, facts and folklore about our fantastic flora.
Browse them all at wmandc.co/herbs
#MedievalHistory
Fancy some fun festive facts about holly from our Medieval Herb Garden volunteers?
Of course you do!
1) Did you know that this big, beautiful plant overlooking the Medieval Herb Garden at Pontefract Castle is our holly tree?
Holly can grow as tall as 25 m / 80 ft!
(1 / 5)
Of course you do!
1) Did you know that this big, beautiful plant overlooking the Medieval Herb Garden at Pontefract Castle is our holly tree?
Holly can grow as tall as 25 m / 80 ft!
(1 / 5)
December 19, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Fancy some fun festive facts about holly from our Medieval Herb Garden volunteers?
Of course you do!
1) Did you know that this big, beautiful plant overlooking the Medieval Herb Garden at Pontefract Castle is our holly tree?
Holly can grow as tall as 25 m / 80 ft!
(1 / 5)
Of course you do!
1) Did you know that this big, beautiful plant overlooking the Medieval Herb Garden at Pontefract Castle is our holly tree?
Holly can grow as tall as 25 m / 80 ft!
(1 / 5)
Today's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange is Christmas!
We've just updated Cynthia Kenny: a city framed at Wakefield Museum with new wonderful wintry scenes.
It includes stunning seasonal pieces like this one - 'Winter Morning, Landscape, Crofton' (1979).
We've just updated Cynthia Kenny: a city framed at Wakefield Museum with new wonderful wintry scenes.
It includes stunning seasonal pieces like this one - 'Winter Morning, Landscape, Crofton' (1979).
December 18, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Today's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange is Christmas!
We've just updated Cynthia Kenny: a city framed at Wakefield Museum with new wonderful wintry scenes.
It includes stunning seasonal pieces like this one - 'Winter Morning, Landscape, Crofton' (1979).
We've just updated Cynthia Kenny: a city framed at Wakefield Museum with new wonderful wintry scenes.
It includes stunning seasonal pieces like this one - 'Winter Morning, Landscape, Crofton' (1979).
Reposted by Wakefield Museums and Castles
What's in our Collections Christmas stocking? 🎁👀
We've had a festive frolic around our collections to find some traditional stocking fillers!
We've had a festive frolic around our collections to find some traditional stocking fillers!
December 16, 2025 at 11:32 AM
What's in our Collections Christmas stocking? 🎁👀
We've had a festive frolic around our collections to find some traditional stocking fillers!
We've had a festive frolic around our collections to find some traditional stocking fillers!
What's in our Collections Christmas stocking? 🎁👀
We've had a festive frolic around our collections to find some traditional stocking fillers!
We've had a festive frolic around our collections to find some traditional stocking fillers!
December 16, 2025 at 11:32 AM
What's in our Collections Christmas stocking? 🎁👀
We've had a festive frolic around our collections to find some traditional stocking fillers!
We've had a festive frolic around our collections to find some traditional stocking fillers!
Enjoying some chocolate in the run up to Christmas?
Ever tried it mixed with wine? 👀
In the Georgian period chocolate was a luxury. It was often mixed with water, wine, port or milk.
Try our recipe: https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/learn/activities-at-home/christmas/chocolate-wine/
Ever tried it mixed with wine? 👀
In the Georgian period chocolate was a luxury. It was often mixed with water, wine, port or milk.
Try our recipe: https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/learn/activities-at-home/christmas/chocolate-wine/
Georgian chocolate wine
Try a taste of gorgeous Georgian luxury with our chocolate wine recipe.
museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk
December 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Enjoying some chocolate in the run up to Christmas?
Ever tried it mixed with wine? 👀
In the Georgian period chocolate was a luxury. It was often mixed with water, wine, port or milk.
Try our recipe: https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/learn/activities-at-home/christmas/chocolate-wine/
Ever tried it mixed with wine? 👀
In the Georgian period chocolate was a luxury. It was often mixed with water, wine, port or milk.
Try our recipe: https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/learn/activities-at-home/christmas/chocolate-wine/
We do love a weird Victorian Christmas card!
We recently had a look around our collection for quirky Victorian cards - here's a round-up of some we found: museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/discover/new...
We recently had a look around our collection for quirky Victorian cards - here's a round-up of some we found: museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/discover/new...
December 10, 2025 at 10:01 AM
We do love a weird Victorian Christmas card!
We recently had a look around our collection for quirky Victorian cards - here's a round-up of some we found: museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/discover/new...
We recently had a look around our collection for quirky Victorian cards - here's a round-up of some we found: museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/discover/new...
Mix up some tasty festive treats with our medieval-style, no-cook gingerbread recipe! 😋
It’s inspired by a recipe that might have been made at the Pontefract Castle in medieval times.
Recipe at https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/learn/activities-at-home/christmas/gingerbread/
It’s inspired by a recipe that might have been made at the Pontefract Castle in medieval times.
Recipe at https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/learn/activities-at-home/christmas/gingerbread/
Medieval-style gingerbread
Get a taste of the festive spirit with our recipe for no-cook, medieval-style gingerbread!
museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk
December 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Mix up some tasty festive treats with our medieval-style, no-cook gingerbread recipe! 😋
It’s inspired by a recipe that might have been made at the Pontefract Castle in medieval times.
Recipe at https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/learn/activities-at-home/christmas/gingerbread/
It’s inspired by a recipe that might have been made at the Pontefract Castle in medieval times.
Recipe at https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/learn/activities-at-home/christmas/gingerbread/
December 4, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Today's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange theme is 'the natural world' 🌍
Our A World of Good gallery celebrates the creation of the world's first nature reserve here in Wakefield by Charles Waterton in the 1820s.
It features beautiful paper sculptures by local artist Andy Singleton 🐦
Our A World of Good gallery celebrates the creation of the world's first nature reserve here in Wakefield by Charles Waterton in the 1820s.
It features beautiful paper sculptures by local artist Andy Singleton 🐦
December 4, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Today's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange theme is 'the natural world' 🌍
Our A World of Good gallery celebrates the creation of the world's first nature reserve here in Wakefield by Charles Waterton in the 1820s.
It features beautiful paper sculptures by local artist Andy Singleton 🐦
Our A World of Good gallery celebrates the creation of the world's first nature reserve here in Wakefield by Charles Waterton in the 1820s.
It features beautiful paper sculptures by local artist Andy Singleton 🐦
Get into the festive spirit with our recipe for Hippocras spiced wine!* 🍷🎄
Hippocras was a spiced wine drink from the medieval and Tudor periods. It was popularly drank after a festive meal.
Recipe at https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/learn/activities-at-home/christmas/hippocras/
Hippocras was a spiced wine drink from the medieval and Tudor periods. It was popularly drank after a festive meal.
Recipe at https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/learn/activities-at-home/christmas/hippocras/
Hippocras spiced wine
Hippocras was a spiced wine drink from the medieval and Tudor periods. Try our recipe for hippocras wine and get into the festive spirit.
museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk
December 3, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Get into the festive spirit with our recipe for Hippocras spiced wine!* 🍷🎄
Hippocras was a spiced wine drink from the medieval and Tudor periods. It was popularly drank after a festive meal.
Recipe at https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/learn/activities-at-home/christmas/hippocras/
Hippocras was a spiced wine drink from the medieval and Tudor periods. It was popularly drank after a festive meal.
Recipe at https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/learn/activities-at-home/christmas/hippocras/
Today's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange is celebrating #MuseumShopSunday!
Our Gift Shop at Pontefract Castle is stocked with loads of lovely stocking fillers, for little kids and big kids alike.
We've got gorgeous custom Christmas cards by Helen Cash-Blackmore as well. 🎄🎁
Our Gift Shop at Pontefract Castle is stocked with loads of lovely stocking fillers, for little kids and big kids alike.
We've got gorgeous custom Christmas cards by Helen Cash-Blackmore as well. 🎄🎁
November 27, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Today's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange is celebrating #MuseumShopSunday!
Our Gift Shop at Pontefract Castle is stocked with loads of lovely stocking fillers, for little kids and big kids alike.
We've got gorgeous custom Christmas cards by Helen Cash-Blackmore as well. 🎄🎁
Our Gift Shop at Pontefract Castle is stocked with loads of lovely stocking fillers, for little kids and big kids alike.
We've got gorgeous custom Christmas cards by Helen Cash-Blackmore as well. 🎄🎁
Reposted by Wakefield Museums and Castles
Today's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange is photographic portraiture!
On display in Create Café is 'Polonia Wakefield'. These portraits by Mark Newton are a snapshot of Wakefield's proud Polish community.
Meet the champion boxer, the antiques shop owner, the beautician and many others.
On display in Create Café is 'Polonia Wakefield'. These portraits by Mark Newton are a snapshot of Wakefield's proud Polish community.
Meet the champion boxer, the antiques shop owner, the beautician and many others.
November 13, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Today's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange is photographic portraiture!
On display in Create Café is 'Polonia Wakefield'. These portraits by Mark Newton are a snapshot of Wakefield's proud Polish community.
Meet the champion boxer, the antiques shop owner, the beautician and many others.
On display in Create Café is 'Polonia Wakefield'. These portraits by Mark Newton are a snapshot of Wakefield's proud Polish community.
Meet the champion boxer, the antiques shop owner, the beautician and many others.
Today's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange is photographic portraiture!
On display in Create Café is 'Polonia Wakefield'. These portraits by Mark Newton are a snapshot of Wakefield's proud Polish community.
Meet the champion boxer, the antiques shop owner, the beautician and many others.
On display in Create Café is 'Polonia Wakefield'. These portraits by Mark Newton are a snapshot of Wakefield's proud Polish community.
Meet the champion boxer, the antiques shop owner, the beautician and many others.
November 13, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Today's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange is photographic portraiture!
On display in Create Café is 'Polonia Wakefield'. These portraits by Mark Newton are a snapshot of Wakefield's proud Polish community.
Meet the champion boxer, the antiques shop owner, the beautician and many others.
On display in Create Café is 'Polonia Wakefield'. These portraits by Mark Newton are a snapshot of Wakefield's proud Polish community.
Meet the champion boxer, the antiques shop owner, the beautician and many others.
This #RemembranceSunday, we're remembering and giving thanks to all who served.
George Kellett was a WW1 soldier from Wakefield. He kept a diary during 1918.
Explore George's diary at https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/kellett
Discover what life was like in the trenches for a local lad.
George Kellett was a WW1 soldier from Wakefield. He kept a diary during 1918.
Explore George's diary at https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/kellett
Discover what life was like in the trenches for a local lad.
November 9, 2025 at 10:35 AM
This #RemembranceSunday, we're remembering and giving thanks to all who served.
George Kellett was a WW1 soldier from Wakefield. He kept a diary during 1918.
Explore George's diary at https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/kellett
Discover what life was like in the trenches for a local lad.
George Kellett was a WW1 soldier from Wakefield. He kept a diary during 1918.
Explore George's diary at https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/kellett
Discover what life was like in the trenches for a local lad.
November 7, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Reposted by Wakefield Museums and Castles
Happy #Halloween! 🎃 These witch balls were made in Castleford in the late 1800s. 🧙♀️
Traditionally, people would hang witch balls in the window to ward off evil spirits.
It was thought that the spirits were attracted by their reflection or patterns. The spirits would then become trapped in the ball.
Traditionally, people would hang witch balls in the window to ward off evil spirits.
It was thought that the spirits were attracted by their reflection or patterns. The spirits would then become trapped in the ball.
October 31, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Happy #Halloween! 🎃 These witch balls were made in Castleford in the late 1800s. 🧙♀️
Traditionally, people would hang witch balls in the window to ward off evil spirits.
It was thought that the spirits were attracted by their reflection or patterns. The spirits would then become trapped in the ball.
Traditionally, people would hang witch balls in the window to ward off evil spirits.
It was thought that the spirits were attracted by their reflection or patterns. The spirits would then become trapped in the ball.
Happy #Halloween! 🎃 These witch balls were made in Castleford in the late 1800s. 🧙♀️
Traditionally, people would hang witch balls in the window to ward off evil spirits.
It was thought that the spirits were attracted by their reflection or patterns. The spirits would then become trapped in the ball.
Traditionally, people would hang witch balls in the window to ward off evil spirits.
It was thought that the spirits were attracted by their reflection or patterns. The spirits would then become trapped in the ball.
October 31, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Happy #Halloween! 🎃 These witch balls were made in Castleford in the late 1800s. 🧙♀️
Traditionally, people would hang witch balls in the window to ward off evil spirits.
It was thought that the spirits were attracted by their reflection or patterns. The spirits would then become trapped in the ball.
Traditionally, people would hang witch balls in the window to ward off evil spirits.
It was thought that the spirits were attracted by their reflection or patterns. The spirits would then become trapped in the ball.
Reposted by Wakefield Museums and Castles
🐉 Last weekend we held a Dungeons and Dragons game at a real castle!
The players came to rescue imprisoned bandits from Pontefract Castle (in game, not real life!).
A big thanks to everyone who came, we loved running it! And thanks to our hosts @wakefieldmuseums.bsky.social
#DungeonsAndDragons
The players came to rescue imprisoned bandits from Pontefract Castle (in game, not real life!).
A big thanks to everyone who came, we loved running it! And thanks to our hosts @wakefieldmuseums.bsky.social
#DungeonsAndDragons
October 29, 2025 at 12:02 PM
🐉 Last weekend we held a Dungeons and Dragons game at a real castle!
The players came to rescue imprisoned bandits from Pontefract Castle (in game, not real life!).
A big thanks to everyone who came, we loved running it! And thanks to our hosts @wakefieldmuseums.bsky.social
#DungeonsAndDragons
The players came to rescue imprisoned bandits from Pontefract Castle (in game, not real life!).
A big thanks to everyone who came, we loved running it! And thanks to our hosts @wakefieldmuseums.bsky.social
#DungeonsAndDragons
This whisky bottle was the last one made at Castleford's Breffit and Co. It closed in 1926 due to the General Strike.
Glassmakers earned more than other trades. But, their working conditions were hard.
Factory owners tried to cut costs by replacing workers with machinery. This led to unemployment.
Glassmakers earned more than other trades. But, their working conditions were hard.
Factory owners tried to cut costs by replacing workers with machinery. This led to unemployment.
October 24, 2025 at 9:36 AM
This whisky bottle was the last one made at Castleford's Breffit and Co. It closed in 1926 due to the General Strike.
Glassmakers earned more than other trades. But, their working conditions were hard.
Factory owners tried to cut costs by replacing workers with machinery. This led to unemployment.
Glassmakers earned more than other trades. But, their working conditions were hard.
Factory owners tried to cut costs by replacing workers with machinery. This led to unemployment.
Reposted by Wakefield Museums and Castles
Wakefield Museum has increased in size by 10%... our new A World of Good gallery is now open! 🌍
In the 1800s Charles Waterton created the world’s first nature park at his home near Wakefield.
Artist Andy Singleton has brought it back to life with beautiful paper sculptures.
Info: bit.ly/NewAWOG
In the 1800s Charles Waterton created the world’s first nature park at his home near Wakefield.
Artist Andy Singleton has brought it back to life with beautiful paper sculptures.
Info: bit.ly/NewAWOG
October 22, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Wakefield Museum has increased in size by 10%... our new A World of Good gallery is now open! 🌍
In the 1800s Charles Waterton created the world’s first nature park at his home near Wakefield.
Artist Andy Singleton has brought it back to life with beautiful paper sculptures.
Info: bit.ly/NewAWOG
In the 1800s Charles Waterton created the world’s first nature park at his home near Wakefield.
Artist Andy Singleton has brought it back to life with beautiful paper sculptures.
Info: bit.ly/NewAWOG
Today's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange is Autumn.
This page from Albert Wainwright's sketchbook features several mini landscape scenes. It includes one he captioned 'Autumn Fires'.
Wainwright (1898-1943) was an influential artist from Castleford.
Learn more: bit.ly/AWainwright
This page from Albert Wainwright's sketchbook features several mini landscape scenes. It includes one he captioned 'Autumn Fires'.
Wainwright (1898-1943) was an influential artist from Castleford.
Learn more: bit.ly/AWainwright
October 23, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Today's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange is Autumn.
This page from Albert Wainwright's sketchbook features several mini landscape scenes. It includes one he captioned 'Autumn Fires'.
Wainwright (1898-1943) was an influential artist from Castleford.
Learn more: bit.ly/AWainwright
This page from Albert Wainwright's sketchbook features several mini landscape scenes. It includes one he captioned 'Autumn Fires'.
Wainwright (1898-1943) was an influential artist from Castleford.
Learn more: bit.ly/AWainwright
Wakefield Museum has increased in size by 10%... our new A World of Good gallery is now open! 🌍
In the 1800s Charles Waterton created the world’s first nature park at his home near Wakefield.
Artist Andy Singleton has brought it back to life with beautiful paper sculptures.
Info: bit.ly/NewAWOG
In the 1800s Charles Waterton created the world’s first nature park at his home near Wakefield.
Artist Andy Singleton has brought it back to life with beautiful paper sculptures.
Info: bit.ly/NewAWOG
October 22, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Wakefield Museum has increased in size by 10%... our new A World of Good gallery is now open! 🌍
In the 1800s Charles Waterton created the world’s first nature park at his home near Wakefield.
Artist Andy Singleton has brought it back to life with beautiful paper sculptures.
Info: bit.ly/NewAWOG
In the 1800s Charles Waterton created the world’s first nature park at his home near Wakefield.
Artist Andy Singleton has brought it back to life with beautiful paper sculptures.
Info: bit.ly/NewAWOG
Fizzy drinks are older than you might think! 🥤 They were invented in the 1700s.
John Lumb and Co in Castleford made this codd bottle for a local fizzy drinks manufacturer.
By 1900 Castleford was producing 20 million bottles a year. It became Britain's biggest centre of bottle manufacturing.
John Lumb and Co in Castleford made this codd bottle for a local fizzy drinks manufacturer.
By 1900 Castleford was producing 20 million bottles a year. It became Britain's biggest centre of bottle manufacturing.
October 20, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Fizzy drinks are older than you might think! 🥤 They were invented in the 1700s.
John Lumb and Co in Castleford made this codd bottle for a local fizzy drinks manufacturer.
By 1900 Castleford was producing 20 million bottles a year. It became Britain's biggest centre of bottle manufacturing.
John Lumb and Co in Castleford made this codd bottle for a local fizzy drinks manufacturer.
By 1900 Castleford was producing 20 million bottles a year. It became Britain's biggest centre of bottle manufacturing.
Today's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange is ghosts 👻
This ghostly hand puppet is from a set of Punch and Judy puppets from the 1960s.
The set belonged to Featherstone legend, Albert Massey. Albert was a surface worker with the coal board. In his spare time he performed puppet shows.
This ghostly hand puppet is from a set of Punch and Judy puppets from the 1960s.
The set belonged to Featherstone legend, Albert Massey. Albert was a surface worker with the coal board. In his spare time he performed puppet shows.
October 16, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Today's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange is ghosts 👻
This ghostly hand puppet is from a set of Punch and Judy puppets from the 1960s.
The set belonged to Featherstone legend, Albert Massey. Albert was a surface worker with the coal board. In his spare time he performed puppet shows.
This ghostly hand puppet is from a set of Punch and Judy puppets from the 1960s.
The set belonged to Featherstone legend, Albert Massey. Albert was a surface worker with the coal board. In his spare time he performed puppet shows.