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Pontefract Castle

Pontefract Castle

Castle Garth , Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8 1QH, Yorkshire and The Humber

Best time to visit

Pontefract Castle is a private location and is only accessible out of normal hours for stargazing by prior arrangement or when public events are scheduled.

Weather forecast

  • 09/06/26

    15° 61%

  • 09/06/26

    15° 40%

  • 09/06/26

    14° 45%

  • 10/06/26

    11° 8%

Weather forecast for Pontefract (0.3 miles away) updated 09/06/26 at 12:01. Powered by Met Office data.

Local light pollution

Pontefract Castle is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to a suburban location based on the latest data from the VIIRS satellite. For more advanced light pollution data, view this location on DarkSkySites.

The above demonstrates the estimated effect of light pollution - graphics created using Stellarium.

Light pollution map of Pontefract Castle

Best time to visit

The Moon has a big impact on the visibility of celestial bodies in the night sky. Try to plan your stargazing when there is no bright Moon at night as this is when the skies will be at their darkest.

The below chart shows when the skies will be at their darkest at this location and therefore the best time to visit. Moonlight is shown in light yellow and the Sun's twilight in light blue. Midnight on the date shown is shown as a white line with sunset to the left and sunrise the next morning to the right. A black background with stars shows the best times for stargazing. See our dark sky calendar for more details.

Moon phase on Tue 9th Jun

Tue 9th Jun

Third Quarter
44 % illuminated
Dark from 22:57 to 00:46
Dark for 1h 48m
Moon phase on Wed 10th Jun

Wed 10th Jun

Third Quarter
33 % illuminated
Dark from 22:59 to 00:58
Dark for 1h 58m
Moon phase on Thu 11th Jun

Thu 11th Jun

Waning Crescent
23 % illuminated
Dark from 23:01 to 01:06
Dark for 2h 4m
Moon phase on Fri 12th Jun

Fri 12th Jun

Waning Crescent
14 % illuminated
Dark from 23:03 to 01:05
Dark for 2h 1m
Moon phase on Sat 13th Jun

Sat 13th Jun

Waning Crescent
7 % illuminated
Dark from 23:05 to 01:03
Dark for 1h 57m
Moon phase on Sun 14th Jun

Sun 14th Jun

New Moon
2 % illuminated
Dark from 23:07 to 01:02
Dark for 1h 54m
Moon phase on Mon 15th Jun

Mon 15th Jun

New Moon
0 % illuminated
Dark from 23:08 to 01:02
Dark for 1h 53m

Find more dates

If you are planning to visit this location check our dark sky calendar to find out when is best!

Calendar

Events nearby

Display nearby events on a calendar

  • Garden of Stars Astronomy Club Night

    Tuesday 9th June 2026 from 19:00pm to 21:30pm

    Stirley Nature Reserve - Garden of Stars, Huddersfield, HD4 6FA (20.2 miles away)

    More info

  • Sheffield Astronomical Society Meeting

    Tuesday 9th June 2026 from 19:45pm to 22:00pm

    The Ranmoor Parish Centre, Sheffield, S10 3GX (24.0 miles away)

    More info

  • Leeds Astronomical Society meeting

    Wednesday 10th June 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Quaker Meeting House - Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9DX (13.0 miles away)

    More info

  • Mexborough & Swinton Astronomical Society Meeting

    Thursday 11th June 2026 from 19:45pm to 22:00pm

    St John's Church Hall - Mexborough, Mexborough, S64 0ER (14.0 miles away)

    More info

  • Rosse Observatory public open evening

    Friday 12th June 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Rosse Observatory, Pontefract, WF8 3RJ (1.3 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • The Grand, York

    Station Rise, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 6GD (20.2 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

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  • The Nook Brewhouse

    3A Victoria Square, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, HD9 2DN (21.6 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

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