pontefract castle dungeon tour

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Pontefract Castle

Free entry Family friendly

Family Attraction Landmark or Historical Building Tourist Attraction

Located in the historic market town of Pontefract , from its construction in 1070 to its demise following the Civil Wars, the once-fearsome fortress of Pontefract Castle dominated Yorkshire and beyond, bearing witness to some of England’s most momentous historical events earning itself the name of the Key to the North!

Today, the castle is a place of family-friendly adventure, with wide open spaces to explore and play, and fascinating ruins to investigate. Ignite your imagination as you explore the pathways and take in some of the imposing stonework. Climb to the top of the keep and see the surrounding Yorkshire countryside, and visit the castle gift shop for a colourful range of souvenirs, gifts, books and ice creams.

There’s masses of stuff to occupy families, younger visitors can get creative and test out their soldier skills while having a go at some civil war training activities on information boards around the grounds. You’ll find awesome displays along with some of the fascinating objects found at the castle from centuries gone by.

The children’s playground is the perfect place for young visitors to burn off some energy and create their own castle adventures.

Need refuelling? Stop off at the Castle Coffee Shop for hot and cold drinks and snacks.

Monday – Friday:  8:30am – 4.30pm

Saturday & Sunday:  9:30am – 4.30pm

Play area open 10am-4pm daily

Last entry 30 minutes before closing.

VISITOR CENTRE AND GIFT SHOP:

Monday – Tuesday:  Closed

Wednesday – Sunday:  10am – 4pm

CASTLE COFFEE SHOP:

Monday: Closed

Tuesday – Sunday: 11am – 3pm

Don’t miss the latest from Wakefield Museums and Castles. Sign up to receive their eNewsletter  here .

Venue opening hours

Monday : 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Tuesday : 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Wednesday : 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Thursday : 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Friday : 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Saturday : 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

Sunday : 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

Access facilities

• Accessible Car Parking
• Accessible Toilet
• Baby Changing Facilities
• Guide Dogs Welcome
• Hearing Aid Loop
• Wheelchair Accessible

Venue Details

Castle Garth, Pontefract, WF8 1QH

01977723440

[email protected]

Venue Facilities

• Cafe on Site
• Dog Friendly
• Free Parking
• Picnic Area

Also at Pontefract Castle

The Castle Coffee Shop at Pontefract Castle

Events at pontefract castle.

Festival Food and Drink Music

Yonder at the Castle

Families Heritage Tour

Pontefract Castle Explorer Tours

Families Heritage Our Year Tour

Pontefract Castle Dungeon Tour

Craft Heritage Our Year Workshop

Have a Dabble Masterclass: Leatherworking

Our Year Talk

Hannah French Talk

Activity Craft Heritage Our Year Workshop

Have a Dabble – Garden Jar Terrarium

Activity Craft Heritage Our Year

Seed Paper – Family Workshop

Activity Food and Drink Music Sports

Summer Solstice Yoga

Our Year Performance

Proms at the Castle

Musicals at the Castle

Heritage Our Year Talk

The Archaeology of Pontefract Castle 

Usurper and King: Henry IV and Pontefract Castle 

Comedy Our Year Performance Theatre

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Sunset Yoga at the Castle

Romeo and Juliet

Lives and Times of Eminent Prisoners at Pontefract Castle 

Robert Aske and the Pilgrimage of Grace

The Medieval Herb Garden   - Volunteer Talk

Relaxed Crafts: Plant Art

Activity Craft Families

The Big Family Picnic

Making a Medieval Herb Garden

Activity Heritage Our Year

Wandering Words Trail

Activity Craft Families Heritage Our Year

Big Green Castle Fun Day

Families Heritage Music

Pontefract Castle Presents…

Activity Craft Families Our Year

Ilbert’s Dragon Tales

Activity Adventure Families Heritage Our Year

Witches & Wizards

Pontefract Castle: Dungeon Tour - Sunday, 3rd April 2022, 10:45am

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Trip down the dungeons - Pontefract Castle

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• Pontefract Castle

Although the weather wasn't too good,it was a nice place to visit this ruined but well kept visitor... read more

Really stunning ruin, I have lived in the area all my life and I never appreciated just how... read more

Trip down the dungeons

I took my daughter for a tour of the dungeons recently as none of us have ever been down. They don't go as far as I thought they did, however some very interesting facts. They are worth a trip if you haven't been, £1.25 for kids and £2.50 for adults.

Pontefract Castle is very interesting historically, and I think anyone with children would find this as a good day out. While I was there however most of it was covered in scaffolding as they were doing preservation work. However it is a historical site so that wasn't particularly unexpected. Wear good walking shoes and try to only go on days when it's not raining as there is no sheltered areas.

I used to come here so many times as a child!! Obviously it hasn't changed and I'm so pleased. It's so beautiful and looking at how magnificent it used to look like. (Any Pontefract teenage that had to do their summer school holiday project will tell you). The tour is worth going on because you get to go down the dungeon and the restricted areas and obviously you learn all of its rich history! It will always hold a place in my heart.

I am not a negative reviewer and always try to see the positive in places we go. This was not a good visit. We could not find easy parking so chanced the local farm foods car park, not recommended. We then walked to the castle which is undergoing restoration. There really is not much to get excited about and it looks like the grounds have not been cared for for years. Although it is free, we will next time find something more stimulating to do when in the area. The signs were fine but no need to spend more than 15 minutes there.

A very important castle in history. Well worth the visit to explore the ruins. Shortly a new visitor centre.

A great place to visit. Plenty of information available. Pontefract Castle holds events in the grounds.

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Exploring Castles

Pontefract Castle: History of England’s Most Fearsome Fort

Pontefract Castle, in Yorkshire, England (or Pomfret Castle , as it was known at its time) used to be the most important, and most terrifying castle in the whole of Early Modern England.

However, visitors today would find this unbelievable to understand.

Nowadays, Pontefract is absolutely ruined, and it’s incredibly difficult to visualise this vast castle as it once was.

Nonetheless, this mighty stone castle was a real force to be reckoned with – and had such a feared reputation that it was even mentioned in the works of Shakespeare. It’s undoubtedly the most important castle in the whole of Yorkshire, England, and is well-worth your time for a visit.

Here are six highlights from Pontefract’s long and incredible history.

6. Pontefract Castle has a blood-stained history: of death, decay and dark dungeons

Pontefract Castle has attracted a phenomenal amount of death, decay and misery over the years. As an ominous precursor, the entire place was constructed on an old Anglo-Saxon burial ground.

In addition to this, the castle was the spot of Richard II’s infamous ‘murder’ (see our next point below), and hundreds of soldiers were killed or imprisoned here during the Wars of the Roses.

To add to the general feeling of despair, Pontefract has a huge and oppressive network of dungeons – hollowed out of the bedrock 35 feet below the castle. Prisoners were trapped in the winding, pitch-black pits for weeks at a time, and scratched their names into the walls during their miserable imprisonment.

You can see the prisoner’s names, scratched into the dungeon walls, when you visit the castle today. This is part of the tour to the ‘magazines’ and armour cellars – these cellars were originally the dungeons.

Pontefract was the site of some dark moments in history – in 1311, Edward II gained the upper hand on his own cousin, Thomas Earl of Lancaster, and had him executed in the castle- along with beheading 20 other rebels.

It was in Pontefract too that Richard III condemned Sir Richard Grey, Sir Thomas Vaughan and Earl Rivers to execution, as their faction-fighting endangered his rule. These three were killed in 1483 – the same year of the alleged ‘murder’ of the two young princes in the Tower of London.

Other unfortunate events occurred in the castle. It was the place where Henry VIII’s fifth wife, Catherine Howard, began her affair with Thomas Culpepper. Both were eventually beheaded for their ill-advised liaison.

5. And Pontefract Castle was the spot where King Richard II was murdered – which served as inspiration for Shakespeare

King Richard II was certainly held in Pontefract Castle in 1399. We don’t know exactly what happened to him, but most sources think that he was either intentionally neglected until he starved to death; or was cruelly murdered in the dungeons.

A couple of scholars have suggested the dungeon of the Keep to be the spot of his murder- a tiny, pitch-black space seeping with the cold and damp.

Writing in the late 1500s, Shakespeare used Pontefract Castle (at his time, Pomfret Castle) as a setting in two of his history plays, Richard II and Richard III. In Richard II, the King is dragged to Pomfret Castle, where he ruminates on his life when imprisoned in the dungeons – and is killed as the play ends.

In Shakespeare’s Richard III , Rivers is dragged to the castle, and describes it thus:

III.iii.9. O Pomfret, Pomfret! O thou bloody prison! Fatal and ominous to noble peers! Within the guilty closure of thy walls Richard the Second here was hack’d to death.

Although we don’t know the exact facts about Richard II’s death, the most important point is that Pontefract Castle was notorious – and widely feared – for its bloody reputation.

4. Once a magnificent palace — although that’s hard to imagine today

It’s truly hard to imagine nowadays, but Pontefract Castle was once a magnificent and extravagant palace – the jewel of Yorkshire. Pontefract was a vast stone castle, and it’s thought that it enjoyed the protection of two-outer walled baileys. Effectively, it was a concentric castle design.

Pontefract was also crowned with around 10 internal towers. Some of these towers climbed to vast heights – the King’s Tower and Queen’s Tower were thought to be around 20m high.

Pontefract Castle was equipped for extravagant entertaining.

The kitchen had no less than four fireplaces, a bakery with two ovens, and the scale and an incomparable variety of accommodation in the numerous towers. It would truly have been a castle fit for royalty – it had the considerable distinction of hosting Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and Charles I during their time.

3. Pontefract Castle was the last remaining stronghold in the English Civil War – Holding Out for Charles I, even after his execution!

During the Civil War itself, Pontefract Castle was besieged on three different occasions – and fell from Royalist hands to the Parliamentarians, and back again to the Royalists. These battles and sieges were universally hard-fought. Oliver Cromwell described the castle in one of his letters:

“[Pontefract Castle is] well watered; situated on rock in every part of it; and therefore difficult to mine. The walls are very thick and high, with strong towers; and if battered, very difficult to access, by reason of the depth and steepness of the graft.” Oliver Cromwell, writing during the Civil War

One of the strangest moments in Pontefract’s history occurred during 1648. The castle had fallen to the Parliamentarians, but the Royalists, lead by Colonel John Morris, managed to dupe their way into the castle by pretending to be bed-collectors. Distraction complete, they then besieged and overcame the castle. Odd, huh?!

Pontefract Castle was, remarkably, the last castle to surrender to the victorious Parliamentarians at the end of the Civil War.

In fact, the castle remained staunchly Royalist until the war was unquestionably won by the Parliamentarians. Charles I was executed in January 1649, but the castle still held out until March that year, living in hope of some Royalist miracle.

Ever the optimists, the Royalists holding out in the castle declared dead Charles I’s son, Charles II, to be the true King of England – even whilst Oliver Cromwell held power.

2. A Castle Intentionally Destroyed by Parliament (and the will of the locals!)

Oliver Cromwell hated Pontefract Castle, due all the trouble it had caused him during the civil war. Resultantly, he wanted the place destroyed at the first opportunity.

In an odd twist, rather than the Parliamentarians just slighting (intentionally destroying) the castle’s defence, Cromwell placed pressure on the adjacent town of Pontefract.

He asked the townspeople to petition Parliament, begging for the castle to be demolished. That way, he could get the job done properly – and the thing entirely wiped off the face of the earth.

The neighbours were all too pleased to have the castle demolished, as Pontefract Castle had been long-time a magnet for trouble, death and despair. Armies pillaging the castle had generally pillaged the town en route – stealing provisions and assaulting local women – and so the townspeople were more than happy to see the castle destroyed.

Consequently, three days after the castle finally surrendered at the end of the civil war, Parliament set out to destroy the place. The price of destruction was about £800, and men set out systematically dismantling the entire castle over a couple of weeks. The only place to be left would be the Barbican.

1. A Store For Liquorice: Pontefract Castle at the Brink of Historical Extinction

After the destruction of Pontefract Castle in 1648, the ruins decayed over the centuries.

In Victorian times, the castle grounds were bizarrely used to grow liquorice – and parts of the old castle ruins were excavated to become liquorice stores! That’s why modern day Pontefract Cakes have a picture of a castle on them.

In recent history, unhappily, the castle has fallen into even worse repair.

Under a lack-of-care from the cash-strapped local town council, the ailing old castle was plagued by drug-dealers and graffiti artists, transforming one of England’s most important historical sites into a depressed-urban battle-field of assaults, attempted assaults, and even manslaughter on the site. Happily, however, things are looking up.

Pontefract has received grants from English Heritage, local bodies and also the British National Lottery. The aim is to repair, improve and renovate the castle and its visitor centres, making it fit for the 21st century. There’s extensive work now going on, and things are looking rosy for the castle’s continued survival.

Pontefract remains as one of the most interesting of all the castles of England, and would have been one of the most impressive of all stone castles if it had survived intact to this day.

Visiting Pontefract Castle

• About 50,000 people visit Pontefract Castle every year
• The site is now secured at night, but access in the daytimes is free
• There’s a small charge for a quick tour of the dark ammunition cellars
• There is a visitors’ centre with exhibits, information, a gift shop and tea shop.

If you’ve enjoyed reading about Pontefract Castle, I think you’ll also enjoy reading more about Dover Castle , one of England’s most phenomenal fortresses. Or you might like to know more about the other castles in historic York , which is just a short drive from Pontefract.

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Pontefract Castle: History of England's Most Fearsome Fort

10 Captivating Castle Dungeons To Visit In the UK

Last Updated on June 16, 2023 by Louise

Are you looking for a real castle dungeon to visit in the UK? Look no further because we have listed ten must-visit castle dungeons.

Dungeons are a great way to get kids and teens enthralled in the UK’s history. Their storie make us realise how lucky we are never to endure the hardships of the poor souls who inhabited these spaces.

Every dungeon has a unique and often grim story. From the imposing Tower of London, steeped in centuries of royal intrigue, to the hauntingly beautiful Chillingham Castle with its reputation for ghostly encounters.

Learn about the prisoners who endured the hardships of Edinburgh Castle Vaults and descend into the depths of Warwick Castle’s Castle Dungeon for a theatrical experience like no other.

Read on for the best dungeons in the UK. 

Carlisle Castle Dungeons

Carlisle Castle is a well-preserved medieval fortresses in England, not far from the border with Scotland. It was founded in the 11th century during the reign of William II of England.

The castle has served as a military garrison and prison throughout its history. Some famous prisoners include Mary, Queen of Scots, and the Jacobite leader Lord Lovat.

Today, you can visit the castle ruins, walk the walls, see canons, go inside prison cells with prisoner graffiti carved into the walls and visit the dungeons.

After the Jacobites were defeated in 1746, many prisoners were sent to Carlisle Castle. 90 of the prisoners were kept in the underground dungeon whilst awaiting trial. The conditions were cramped and warm but as the dungeon was damp, moisture accumulated on the walls. With little water, prisoners licked the damp walls to keep alive which must have been a grim and desperate things to do. The imprints of where they licked can still be seen today .

The Castle is also home to a military museum.

Find out more at Carlisle Castle

Warwick Castle Dungeon

If you visit Warwick Castle, you can book the dungeon experience as an extra during your castle visit.

Live actors take you through the dungeon on a scary, humorous and entertaining tour. They depict gruesome tales, stories of torture and other dark events. Visitors are often encouraged to get involved in the action!

The castle dungeons are not recommended for children under 10 years old.

Pontefract Castle, Yorkshire

The ruins of Pontefract Castle include the inner bailey, the gatehouse, parts of the curtain wall and the dungeons.

A tour of the dungeons is bookable online most weekends and only costs a few pounds (the rest of the ruins are free to visit).

The dungeons are very big but the history is fascinating. On a tour, a guide tells you about the fascinating history castle from Norman times, through to Tudor times and the Civil War. Climb down the steep stone steps to an eerie underground space. See where Civil War prioners scratched their names upon the rocks.

Book your dungeon tour online

Edinburgh Castle Vaults

Edinburgh’s amazing castle is well worth a visit. Highlights include the Scottish Crown jewels, the Great Hall and the castle Vaults (aka the dungeons)

The Vaults are a series of underground chambers below Crown Square.  In the 1700s and 1800s hundreds of prisoners of war were held in these dark, cramped spaces. Pirates were also held in this space before they became a prison of war.

Today during a visit to Edinburgh Castle you can see how the vaults looked around 1800 and experience the wretched way of life for the men who lived here.

Find out  more at Edinburgh Castle

Chillingham Castle Dungeon and Torture Chamber, Northumberland

Located in Northumbria, Chillingham Castle has a reputation of being one of the most haunted castles in the UK. It has a torture chamber and a dungeon that visitors can explore.

The dungeon is small and lit only by a small arrow slit in the thick wall. Inside letters have been carved on the chamber wall by desperate prisoners. The conditions for prisoners was nothing short of dreadful.

The torture room is another chilling reminder of the Chillingham’s dark past. Filled with numerous medieval torture devices,it provides a glimpse into the gruesome methods used in the past.

Find out more at Chillingham Castle

Berkeley Castle Dungeon, Gloucestershire

Berkeley Castle is based in Gloucestershire and is well worth a visit, having recently being voted one of the UK’s hidden gems in 2023. (Source: Stroud News )

It is home to a deep dungeon, a 28 foot pit, in the old keep. The carcesses of rotting animals were once thrown in here, along with the odd unfortunate peasant.

Famously King Edward II was imprisoned at Berkeley Castle. For five months he was confined to a windowless room above the dungeon. The stentch must have been awful.

Rumour has it that Edward was brutally murdered by having a hot poker thrust up his anus. However, many historians now discount this account of Edward’s death.

Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland

This wonderful castle in beautiful surroundings is located right next to a gorgeous beach.

There is a lot to do and see here including a small dungeon. The gruesome dungeon includes figures of people being tortured which brings the horror to life.

Other highlights include the state rooms, the armoury and the aviation museum which is located in the castle.

Bamburgh Castle is also famous for being the backdrop on many scenes in the Netflix series “The Last Kingdom”. Known as Bebbanburg in the TV series, some of the battles from season 3 were filmed on Bamburgh beach with the castle in the background. Visitors can now embark on a Last Kingdom tour at the castle and see some of the props and costumes from the TV series.

Find out more at Bamburgh Castle

Lancaster Castle Dungeons

Lancaster Castle has a fascinating and varied history. It was originally built as a Roman fortress but over the years has also served as a residence for Royal visitors, a courtroom and a prison. Prisoners have been kept at the castle as early as 12th century until 2011 (it served as a category C prison for male offenders until March 2011).

The Well Tower at the Castle holds three stone-flagged underground dungeons which were used to incarcerate prisoners during medieval times. The Well Tower was built in about 1325 and as it’s name suggests contains two wells. It is also known as the Witches Tower. This is because in 1692 the Pendle Witch Trials took place at Lancaster Castle. The trial was of several individuals accused of witchcraft in the nearby Pendle Hill area. It is thought the accused were held in dungeons at Lancaster Castle before and during their trials. Ten of them were ultimately found guilty and sentenced to death.

Entry to the castle interiors which are open to the public is by guided tour only. On a tour, visitors can see the prison cells, the courtyard, castle interiors, and the Drop Room where the condemned prisoners were led to the gallows.

Please note, at the moment there is work taking place to update the fire alarm in part of the building so the guided tours are limited to 30 minute where you can see external courtyards and one of the prison buildings.

Find out more at Lancaster Castle

Tower of London

The infamous Tower of London is an amazing combination of  medieval castle, armor museum and prison complete with dungeons and torture exhibits.  The Tower of London has 21 towers and many prisoners were kept in there as well as in underground spaces which were often referred to as a dungeon.

On a visit, you can see these undeground spaces as well as where prisoners were held in the tower. At the top of the White Tower, you can find the items used for the beheadings, including actual wooden block , axe and  executioners. The Tower is steeped in history and you can see the site where the beheading of Anne Bolyn took place. Be sure to chat to a Beefeater or go on a Yeoman tour where you can hear more about the gruesome events that took place here. 

Find out more at the Tower of London

Skipton Castle

Skipton Castle is a beautiful, well preserved medieval castle with banqueting room, drawing room, bedrooms, towers, etc and nooks & crannies to explore.

It’s also home to a dungeon which is located beneath the castle’s twin-towered gatehouse. Prisoners were held captive here in complete darkness in damp conditions. Sometimes they were held in leg irons.

Other highlights include a medieval toilet and courtyard with a tree growing in the middle.

Find out more at Skipton Castle

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Mystery of 'forgotten' dungeon beneath Pontefract Castle in Yorkshire continues as survey finds no evidence of chamber

A survey of the ground beneath Pontefract Castle has found no evidence of a forgotten chamber that past visitors claim they remember going inside.

Landowners the Duchy of Lancaster agreed to commission an underground survey of the bailey after John Atkinson contacted their estates office with information about an ‘oubliette’ he recalled entering during a guided tour when he was a teenager in the 1960s.

Mr Atkinson said the small chamber was hewn from rock, accessed via a trapdoor and wooden steps and not connected to other dungeons or underground rooms that are already open to the public at the castle near Wakefield.

He claimed that the guide at the time told him it was the cell where King Richard II was kept during his imprisonment at Pontefract, where he died in 1400, but when he visited in more recent years, saw no sign of the trapdoor and thought that it had been grassed over or even infilled. In the 1980s, he believes the trapdoor was still visible, but padlocked and inaccessible.

Mr Atkinson approached the Duchy after Wakefield Council, which manages the historic site, denied knowledge of the ‘oubliette’ and suggested that it was more likely to be part of the extensive network of cellars or the Civil War-era dungeon.

He even speculated that staff could have ‘forgotten about’ the separate chamber and lost the key.

His theory was supported by Christine Steels, who saw his appeal for memories of the chamber via a local history society.

She remembered visiting the castle at around the same time the oubliette was open to tour groups, and descended into it herself. She also recalled seeing the padlocked trapdoor in later years and her guide mentioning the King Richard II connection. She believed the trapdoor had been close to the footpath around the bailey.

In late March, Mr Atkinson received a response from the Duchy’s rural restorations manager Vicki Mathews confirming the results of a ground survey completed by experts.

She said: “The survey was carried out and on review of the report we struggled to find anything in the area that would show evidence of the oubliette. Wakefield Council under their lease are responsible for any investigation work on site and I believe that they are not planning to open up the area at the moment.”

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Moscow: City Sightseeing by Car/Bus

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Visiting a new city is akin to going on a first date, it is something you will never forget. Many people imagine Moscow as just a bunch of sporadic landmarks: Red Square, the Kremlin, Lenin’s Mausoleum and GUM. There is so much more to this wonderful city than that and even though we only have a few hours, we will do all we can to show you everything we know and love about our capital in one fell swoop. We will take you on a journey through the ages, from centuries ago, right up to the modern day, soaking in the sights of this vast and bustling metropolis. Bright, luxurious and both ancient and modern at the same time, Moscow invites you on a date you’ll never forget!

On our sightseeing bus tour of the city, you will see:

• The wonderfully historic city centre and its unique museums, magnificent cathedrals, the exquisite Chambers of the Romanov Boyars and of course, the famous towering red brick walls of the Kremlin, The charming beauty of the Alexander Garden awaits the capital's guests - a lush green oasis in the midst of the glass and concrete clad metropolis, basking in the etherial aura emanating from the whitewashed stone walls of the restored Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the world- renowned fairytale onion domes of St. Basil's Cathedral and other impressive monumental buildings such as the library built in Lenin's honour - the Russian State Library - and the State Duma.
• The Lubyanka KGB headquarters is notorious to members of older generations and although nowadays, the face of the secret police has changed dramatically, the looming enigmatic building on the waterfront maintains its aura of mystery, shrouded in a variety of murky rumours and dark myths. Then, there’s another of Moscow's main attractions - the marvellous Bolshoi Theatre, yew simply cant leave Moscow without taking in its breathtaking architecture. Engrained in the fabric of Russia's cultural heritage, virtuoso performers such as prima ballerina Galina Ulanova, opera singer Feodor Chaliapin and pianist, composer and conductor Sergei Rachmaninoff once stood centre stage of this vaunted institution.
• The memorial complex on Poklonnaya Hill was constructed in the glory and honour of our heroes who defended our nation in the many crucial battles of the Great Patriotic War (WWII). This is a place that embodies a particularly acute and inextricable link between older ancf younger generations. Moving on to the Moscow International Business Centre, not dubbed ‘Moscow City' for nothing, a true glimpse of the future in the present. This incredible, rather jaw-dropping project in the capital has shown that Moscow has come to accept the age of the skyscraper. Finally, the stunning views from the observation deck at Sparrow Hills will leave professional and amateur photographers alike itching to capture them. How could one resist?

The most beautiful of all the world's cities - lady Moscow invites you out on a date!

The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person

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St. Basil's Cathedral

House on the Embankment

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Vorobyovy Hills

Poklonnaya Hill Poklonnaya Gora

Moscow-City

Alexander garden

Russian State Library

Bolshoi Theatre

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A Moscow Free Walking Tour of the Iconic Red Square

Updated March 10th, 2020

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No visit to Moscow, Russia is complete unless you take a walk around the famous Red Square and see the iconic sights of the city. One of the best ways to see all the famous landmarks in Moscow and learn a little something about them too is on a free Moscow walking tour through the Red Square.

Continue reading for a sneak peek at what you will see on your free tour in Moscow and for tips on both the tour and visiting the sights. Make sure to save some time during your trip to go inside of the magnificent buildings because you will not be going in the buildings during the tour.

The State Historical Museum

The Moscow free walking tour begins at the Marshal Zhukov monument in front of the State Historical Museum . You can’t miss this massive red building. The museum’s interior is almost as spectacular as the artifacts you can see within. Read my post dedicated to the museum here to find out more on what you can see and tips for visiting. Admission is free with the Moscow City Pass .

The Kremlin

Behind the walls of the Kremlin lie the working offices of Russian’s government and president. When visiting the Kremlin you can see the Armory Chamber, Cathedral Square, the Patriach’s Palace and many more cathedrals. You definitely want to buy tickets ahead of time so you avoid the long-lines. You can get free admission with the Moscow City Pass . It’s also worth it to take a guided tour if you don’t speak Russian so you have more of an understanding of what you are seeing.

St. Basil’s Cathedral

If asked to conquer up an image of Moscow, St. Basil’s Cathedral might just be the most likely image you picture. The cathedral has a museum that you can visit at a later time. You can buy tickets at the ticket kiosk outside the cathedral or receive free admission with the Moscow City Pass .

Moskva River

Next up on the tour is the Moskva River which runs through the center of Moscow. A cruise on the Moskva River is a great way to see the city from a different perspective.

GUM Shopping Mall

Who would think a mall would be one of Moscow’s most well-known attractions? GUM shopping mall across from the Kremlin makes up one of the four sides of the Red Square. The stores might be a bit too pricey for shopping, but the gorgeous interior is worth a visit. If that doesn’t convince you, the mall has some of the best ice cream! GUM is the only building you go inside during the free walking tour. There are pay bathrooms you can use while you have a few minutes of free time.

Kazan Cathedral

Located on the northeast corner of the Red Square, the Kazan Cathedral is another impressive dome-shaped building in Moscow that is also an active place of worship. Entering the cathedral is allowed, but remember to be respectful if people are worshipping.

Bolshoi Theater

Contrary to the previous buildings, the Bolshoi Theater isn’t along one of the four sides of the Red Square. Located a few minutes away, the theater is one of the best theaters in the world. Make sure to come back for a guided tour of the inside or make reservations far ahead of time to attend a ballet or opera.

Alexander Gardens

The tour ends near the Alexander Gardens , a free public park located along the western Kremlin walls. The garden’s green lawns, sculptures and water fountains offer a nice place to take a stroll or relax a bit after some busy sightseeing.

You can visit all these sites on your own, but the best part of doing the Moscow free tour is that you learn more information and have the potential to meet new people!

During my tour I started to talk to a woman from Malaysia and she invited me to join her and her friends for a Russian meal afterwards. It’s these little impromptu meetings and opportunities that I love most about traveling and add more to the sightseeing experience. While I was a little hesitant about going to the tour myself I told myself it would be a great opportunity to possibly meet new people. I love when things work out like that!

If you have already seen the iconic sights of the Red Square and are looking for other things to do in Moscow check out my What to Do in Moscow post that gives more off-the beaten track things to do in Moscow!

Moscow Free Walking Tour Visiting Information

Moscow Free Walking Tours

How to Get There

The Moscow Free Walking Tour begins at the Marshal Zhukov monument in front of the State Historical Museum (a large red building). The website shows a map with the exact meeting point.

To get to the red square area you can take the blue 3 metro line to the Ploshchad Revolyutsii stop, or the green 2 line to the Teatralnaya station or the red 1 line to the Okhotny Ryad station. For more on how to use the metro read my Moscow Metro Guide .

Tours every day at 10:30am – 1pm in English

If you need a toilet before the start of the tour the Okhotny Ryad and GUM shopping malls are both close to the start of the tour. You will need to pay to use the toilets. There is a quick break mid-way through the tour at the GUM shopping mall where you can use the toilet if needed.

During the mid-way break in the tour you can buy some ice cream at the GUM shopping mall. There aren’t many other options or time for anything else. After the tour there are a lot of restaurants in the area. There are a couple of Varenichnaya №1 locations nearby if you would like some authentic Russian food. Their speciality is Russian dumplings. Another classic choice nearby is Grand Cafe Dr. Jhivago. While you can try traditional Russian foods like borscht and Olivier Salad, you may need a reservation. GUM has several restaurants, including a couple of buffets upstairs.

Recommendations

While I would start off your visit to Moscow with a tour of the Red Square, make sure to come back to each place to tour the inside. If you are visiting several sights consider buying the Moscow City Pass  to save money on admissions.

Other Tour Options

Another company  Moscow Free Tour  does a similar free walking tour in the Red Square. Check the site for the details on the starting point and times. If you prefer a private paid tour with a hotel pick-up and a visit to St. Basil’s Cathedral included check out this tour . For a private paid tour with a hotel pick-up and a visit to the Kremlin included you may want to take this tour or this one . Even if you don’t typically take tours, I would recommend taking tours as much as possible in Moscow. Many people do not speak English and most information is not in English either.

Where to Stay in Moscow

Find somewhere to stay in Moscow near the Red Square so you are convenient to all the sights!

More About Russia

• Moscow Things to Do:  Unique Things to Do ,   Spartak Stadium
• Moscow Markets:  Izmailovsky Market ,   Danilovsky Market
• Moscow Museums:  Moscow City Museum ,  Victory Museum ,  Museum of the Patriotic War in 1812 ,  State Historical Museum ,
• Moscow Life:  Malls ,  Christmas in Moscow ,  Metro ,  Learning Spanish ,  My Russian Apartment ,   What is Life Really Like in Russia ,  FiFa World Cup ,  Russian Winters , and more posts about  life abroad in Russia .
• St Petersburg:  City Guide ,  The Hermitage Museum ,  Kayaking the Rivers & Canals ,   Peterhof Palace

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22 comments.

The Kremlin looks rather imposing. It would be great to explore the history in Moscow.

There is a lot of history in Moscow to explore!

What a handy guide to get the most of Moscow’s red square! I’ve always wanted to try a walking tour and this looks like the perfect place to start!

I really enjoy walking tours, I think they are a great way to get to know a new place!

You have highlighted all the main sights around and in the Red Square indeed! I have visited Moscow in winter and the atmosphere was magical…even though it was cold 🙂 I’m looking forward to visiting in summer too!

Yes, there is a magical feel during the winter. I have to say I prefer the warmer, brighter summers though 🙂

Follow My Anchor

I am planning to go to Moscow and St. Petersburg this year so reading this was very helpful. I would love to do the walking tour! What time of year did you do it? I am planning to go in August as I really can’t stand the cold 😀 Do you think August might be a good time to visit Moscow? Thank you so much for your information!

I did the walking tour in September. July and August are the best times to visit Moscow in my opinion, so you are going at a great time! I lived in Moscow for a year so I have a lot of posts about Moscow and a couple for St. Petersburg too. Please check out my other posts as you are planning your trip and feel free to send any questions my way!

I’m a huge fan of taking free walking tours whenever my husband and I travel. We learn more about the history from the local’s perspective. Your walking tour in Moscow looks fun. The St. Basil’s Cathedral is beautiful and would love to see it. Thanks for sharing the must-see places in Moscow!

I’m a big fan of free walking tours too! I completely agree that you get a good perspective and introduction to the history of the city.

I would love to take the walking tour to get a good coverage of the area! The tip about paying for the bathrooms is great. That’s something I didn’t realize when I went to Europe for the first time from the US.

I always find it annoying paying for bathrooms in Europe!

I visited Moscow in June this year for the World Cup and I loved it. St. Basil’s Cathedral was the highlight for me, it’s such an impressive piece of architecture. I would’ve liked to visit more of Russia but maybe next time!

I really enjoyed Moscow during the World Cup too. The city was much livelier than usual!

I have been to St. Petersburg but never to Moscow. I think that these kind of tours are very useful to gather many information but I second your suggestion to visit the palaces inside as they have stunning interior decor and art treasures.

Yes, I think both going on tours and getting an overview and touring the inside of places are good to do.

Shreya Saha

St. Basil’s cathedral is definitely a beautiful place to visit. I would also love to stroll by the Alexander gardens and maybe spend some time in the shopping mall call mom maybe visit the theater, also I would love to visit Kremlin and the State Historical Museum. That’s a great list you have managed to provide here.

Never been to Russia, but the country’s history and culture has always fascinated me. Great list of things to do in Moscow’s Red Square. Kremlin is definitely on top of my list!

Russia does have a fascinating history and culture!

The architecture here always looks so beautiful. I would love to go to Russia. Some helpful tips here that would really help me navigate a future trip. I love the Russian ballet so a trip to the theater would be a must for me.

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