Castleford Forum Library & Museum

The Forum sits bang in the middle of Castleford's town centre, a modern building that houses both the library and museum under one roof. It's the sort of place that sneaks up on you - from the outside it doesn't look like much, but step inside and there's proper substance to it.

The museum bit focuses on Castleford's Roman heritage, which is genuinely interesting if you've got even a passing interest in that period. You'll see artefacts from when the Romans occupied the area, pottery shards, coins, that sort of thing. The displays are well done without being over-the-top, and staff usually know their stuff if you ask questions.

It's free to get in, which is brilliant, and you can easily spend an hour here without feeling rushed. Families with kids who aren't bored silly by Roman history will get something out of it, though younger children might find it a bit static after twenty minutes or so. History enthusiasts will enjoy the local context - Castleford's got serious archaeological credentials that don't always make the bigger guidebooks.

Wakefield's just a few miles south if you're based there, and if you're staying at Nostell Priory Holiday Park nearby, this is worth tacking on to a day trip into town. The library side is functional rather than exciting, but the museum justifies the visit on its own. Worth a look if you're in the area, though not worth detouring miles for unless Roman Britain is your thing.