Pontefract is a Town in the county of West Yorkshire.
Pontefract is a small town in West Yorkshire, England, located on the River Aire. It has a long and rich history that dates back to the Anglo-Saxon period and is steeped in cultural heritage. The town is most known for its sweet Yorkshire treat of liquorice, Pontefract Cakes, which have been produced here since 1614 and are popular with both locals and visitors.
The town centre of Pontefract is small but vibrant with a variety of shops and cafes. There are plenty of historic buildings to explore including the ancient castle ruins, Pontefract Priory and All Saints Church, which is one of the oldest churches in Yorkshire. The addition of modern shops like Marks & Spencer means shoppers can find something for everyone here
For those looking for outdoor activities, there are many parks to explore such as Pollington Park where visitors can take a leisurely walk or enjoy a picnic lunch by the river. The nearby city of Leeds also offers plenty of shopping opportunities as well as theatres, museums and galleries for cultural experiences
If you’re visiting during the summer months, don’t miss out on the annual Pontefract Liquorice Festival held every July where you can sample homemade treats from local bakers and get involved in traditional activities like archery or Morris dancing.
Not far from Pontefract are other towns worth exploring such as Knottingley, Ferrybridge and Featherstone offering more quaint British villages full of interesting character and traditional pubs to stop off in along your journey between these places
Whether you’re looking to visit some historical sites or just want a relaxing break away from it all with some charming views along your travels then look no further than Pontefract; there really is something for everyone here!
Pontefract postcode: WF8 1AX
There are great places to visit near Pontefract including some great cities, villages, woodlands, parks, historic buildings, museums, gardens, country parks, hiking areas, towns, lakes, historic monuments, hills, ancient sites, nature reserves, shopping centres, airports, bluebell woods, ruins, rivers and streams, castles, waterfalls and boroughs.
Bradford, Leeds, and Wakefield are great places to visit near Pontefract if you like cities.
Wyke, Haworth, Oxenhope, Thornton, Manningham, Saltaire, and Ripponden are some of Pontefract best villages to visit near Pontefract.
Judy Woods, Chevin Forest Park, Calverley Wood, Middleton Park, and Hardcastle Crags are great places to visit near Pontefract if you like woodlands.
There are a several good parks in the Pontefract area like Lister Park, Cartwright Hall Gardens, Peel Park, Shibden Park, Roundhay Park, Middleton Park, and Park Square.
Cartwright Hall, Ilkley Manor House, Hewenden Viaduct, Halifax Town Hall, North Bridge - Halifax, Halifax Minister, and Wainhouse Tower are great places to visit near Pontefract if you like historic buildings.
Cartwright Hall, and Yorkshire Sculpture Park are some of Pontefract best museums to visit near Pontefract.
The area around Pontefract's best gardens can be found at Cartwright Hall Gardens.
Pontefract has some unmissable country parks nearby like Penistone Hill Country Park, Ogden Water Country Park, Shibden Country Park, Chevin Forest Park, Golden Acre Park, Bretton Country Park, and Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
There are a several good hiking areas in the Pontefract area like Penistone Hill Country Park, Colden, The Chevin, Hardcastle Crags, and Withens Clough.
The area around Pontefract features a number of interesting towns including Ilkley, Sowerby Bridge, Halifax, Todmorden, Huddersfield, Bradley, and Otley.
There are a number of lakes near Pontefract including Chellow Dean Reservoirs, Boothwood Reservoir, Ogden Water Country Park, Ogden Water, Shibden Park, Light Hazzles Reservoir, and Warland Reservoir.
The area around Pontefract boasts some of the best historic monuments including Wainhouse Tower, and Centre Hill Beacon Site.
The area around Pontefract features a number of interesting hills including Centre Hill, Stoodley Pike, and The Chevin.
Stones Lane Standing Stones, and Centre Hill Beacon Site are some of Pontefract best ancient sites to visit near Pontefract.
There are a several good nature reserves in the Pontefract area like Rodley Nature Reserve, RSPB St Aidan's, RSPB St Aidan's, RSPB Fairburn Ings, and Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
Shopping Centres to visit near Pontefract include Trinity Leeds, White Rose Shopping Centre, The Merrion Centre, County Arcade, and Leeds Kirkgate Market.
Don't miss Leeds Bradford Airport's airports if visiting the area around Pontefract.
Places near Pontefract feature a number of interesting bluebell woods including Middleton Park.
Kirkstall Abbey, and Sandal Castle are great places to visit near Pontefract if you like ruins.
The area around Pontefract features a number of interesting rivers and streams including River Dearne at Bretton, Hebden Water, and Hebden Beck.
The area close to Pontefract boasts some of the best castles including Sandal Castle.
Pontefract's best nearby waterfalls can be found at Greenwood Lee Clough Waterfall, and Lumb Falls.
Kirklees is one of Pontefract's best, nearby boroughs to visit in Pontefract.
Pontefract History
There are some historic monuments around Pontefract:
Places to see near Pontefract
History of Pontefract
The modern town is situated on an old Roman road (now the A639), described as the “Roman Ridge”, which passes south towards Doncaster. The Roman Ridge is believed to form part of an alternative route from Doncaster to York via Castleford and Tadcaster, as a diversion of the major Roman road Ermine Street, which may have been used to avoid having to cross the River Humber near North Ferriby during rough weather conditions over the Humber.
Lakes near Pontefract
Canals near Pontefract
Rivers near Pontefract
Shopping in Pontefract
Pontefract Racecourse Pontefract, Wakefield
Pontefract Racecourse retail park
South Baileygate Retail Park Pontefract, Wakefield
South Baileygate Retail Park retail park
Racecourse Retail Park Pontefract, Wakefield
Racecourse Retail Park retail park
Asda Halfpenny Lane, Pontefract
Asda supermarket
ALDI South Baileygate, Pontefract
ALDI supermarket
Morrisons Stuart Road, Pontefract
Morrisons supermarket
M&S Foodhall 9, Beastfair
M&S Foodhall supermarket
Tesco 10, Cornmarket
Tesco supermarket