Pontefract

Welcome to Pontefract.

Located in the heart of West Yorkshire, this historic market town is home to the picturesque ruins of one of England’s most important castles (once known as “The Key To The North”) as well as a brace of beautiful parks, some outstanding examples of Georgian architecture, and a whole host of independent boutiques and coffee shops.

Pontefract’s got history galore – the site of the first secret ballot, this is a place where the country’s fate was decided more than once; uncover its story at Pontefract Museum.

Sports fans take note – the town is also home to Pontefract Racecourse, the longest continuous flat racing circuit in Europe.

Events in Pontefract

$Pontefract Liquorice Festival market$

Free event

Festival Food and Drink

Pontefract Liquorice Festival

AT Pontefract Precinct

ON Sat 09 Jul 2022 - Sun 10 Jul 2022

Pontefract Liquorice Festival is back – and what a bumper crop it is, this year! Stretching over a whole weekend, it’s two days of...

Music Performance

Proms at the Castle

AT Pontefract Castle

ON Sat 09 Jul 2022 - Sat 09 Jul 2022

Pontefract Castle’s biggest musical event returns for 2022! Enjoy an evening of beautiful music from the West Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra in ...

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$Pontefract International Festival of Ale$

Food and Drink Music

The Pontefract International Festival of Ale

AT The Robin Hood

ON Sun 22 May 2022 - Sun 29 May 2022

Have you heard the word about Pontefract International Festival of Ale? It’s a Sunday to Sunday series of sessions at

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Free event

Exhibition

We’re All in This Together: The Lockdown Art of Rachel List

AT Pontefract Museum

Now - Fri 23 Sep 2022

Two years on from the first Covid-19 lockdown, explore the lockdown artwork of Pontefract-based artist Rachel List. The Covid-19 lockdowns mea...

Craft Workshop

Have a Dabble: Embossed Copper Foil Bird Spinner

AT Pontefract Castle

ON Tue 14 Jun 2022 - Tue 14 Jun 2022

Be transported back to the era of our Arts and Crafts barn and the craftsmanship and value of handmade items. Using copper foil, embossing too...

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Craft Workshop

Have a Dabble: Mosaic Bird Bath

AT Pontefract Castle

ON Tue 05 Jul 2022 - Tue 05 Jul 2022

Be inspired by local pottery of the past and create a stunning bird bath for your outdoor space. We’ll be using re-cycled pottery and ti...

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Craft Workshop

Have a Dabble: Wood Veneer Trinket Box

AT Pontefract Castle

ON Tue 04 Oct 2022 - Tue 04 Oct 2022

Wood was an important material used in the Arts and Craft era especially in architecture, including our Arts and Crafts barn. Using wood venee...

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Craft Workshop

Have a Dabble: Holly & Ivy Plaster Plaques

AT Pontefract Castle

ON Tue 08 Nov 2022 - Tue 08 Nov 2022

Discover the history of plaster and fresco painting and cast and paint your own unique festive plaster plaque. Tickets £6.30 – Adults on...

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Where to stay

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Hotel

Rogerthorpe Manor Hotel

Rogerthorpe Manor Hotel is located in the idyllic village of Badsworth, near Pontefract West Yorkshire. Set in glorious countryside, yet only minut...

Hotel

Wentbridge House Hotel

With breath-taking scenery of West Yorkshire’s Went Valley, Wentbridge House Hotel is the perfect place to escape, relax and unwind. This country h...

Hotel Restaurant

The King’s Croft Hotel

Please note: Due to the rapidly changing circumstances surrounding Covid-19, we ask that visitors please check the opening times of all venues before you ...

Bed & Breakfast

Glencoe Villa Guesthouse

Glencoe Villa Guest House is situated close to the historic market town of Pontefract and Ackworth Village, West Yorkshire, overlooking the pleasant view ...

Bed & Breakfast

Tower House Executive Guest House

Tower House Guest House Pontefract is ideally situated in the medieval town of Pontefract famous for Pontefract Castle, liquorice and Pontefract Racecours...

Bar or Pub Hotel

Darrington Hotel

The Darrington Hotel in Pontefract is a much-booked properties. Expect a great deal, friendly staff, tasty reasonably priced food and drink, and a really ...

Bar or Pub Hotel

Featherstone Hotel

Conveniently located just a short drive from the M62, Featherstone Hotel makes a great base for you to explore the area. Enjoy a home from home sta...

Other Accommodation Tourist Attraction

30 East Drive

From the outside, number 30 East Drive looks just like any other 1950s built council house house on the street. However, a sinister side hides within the ...

Food & Drink

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Hotel Restaurant

The King’s Croft Hotel

Please note: Due to the rapidly changing circumstances surrounding Covid-19, we ask that visitors please check the opening times of all venues before you ...

Bar or Pub

Cross Keys

A lovely family run traditional pub, serving quality food and a great selection of drinks. Families and dogs welcome. Fantastic beer garden....

Bar or Pub Restaurant

The Blue Bell Inn

Make yourself at home in a cosy country pub, nestling in the picturesque village of Wentbridge. The Blue Bell Inn has a well earned reputation for excelle...

Cafe Farm Restaurant Shop

Farmer Copleys

Farmer Copleys is a family run farm shop, Moo Café, function space and events centre based between Pontefract and Featherstone. The Copley family h...

Cafe

Blondies Brewhouse & Bakes

Blondies Brewhouse & Bakes is a gorgeous new café in Pontefract town centre. Serving hot drinks, sweet treats and delicious artisan sandwiches ...

Bar or Pub Restaurant Cafe Bar

The Old Grocers

Welcome to The Old Grocers, a charming pub in the heart of Pontefract. A relaxing place to enjoy good conversation, excellent ales and live music.

Restaurant

Mamma Mia Pontefract

Mamma Mia is a family-run Italian restaurant that has been in Pontefract for over 30 years. A fabulous team of professional staff will endeavour to...

Bar or Pub Restaurant

The Angel, Ackworth

The Angel in Ackworth serves quality homemade traditional pub food.

Places to visit

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Sports Leisure Venue Stadium

Pontefract Racecourse

If it’s an equine experience you’re after then Pontefract Racecourse will not disappoint! The racing season which begins in April and ends in October is c...

Landmark or Historical Building Tourist Attraction

Pontefract Castle

Located in the historic market town of Pontefract, from its construction in 1070 to its demise following the Civil Wars, this once-fearsome fortress domin...

Sports Leisure Venue Stadium

Featherstone Rovers

Featherstone Rovers are a professional rugby league club in Featherstone, who play in the Championship. Featherstone is a former coal mining town with a p...

Landmark or Historical Building Museum

Pontefract Museum

Step inside the beautiful Art Nouveau building to discover a world where liquorice and voting collide, where we celebrate the captivating stories of Ponte...

Family Attraction Tourist Attraction

Rosse Observatory

Do you often find yourself gazing skywards, the team at the observatory are the proud owners of telescopes that will transport you through the galaxy to t...

Park

Pontefract Park

Pontefract Park has a large and enclosed playground full of exciting activities for the children, a lake for boating and fishing and wide open spaces to r...

Nature Reserve

Brockadale Nature Reserve

Brockadale is in the valley of the River Went as it flows through a craggy, steep-sided gorge formed after the last ice-age when glacial melt-water burst ...

Park

Friarwood Valley Gardens

Friarwood Valley Gardens were laid out as a public park in the mid-20th century in the town centre of Pontefract, on a site originally associated with the...