Location: Pontefract
Top Things to do in Pontefract
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The 10 Best Things to do in Pontefract, England
Pontefract is a historic market town in West Yorkshire, England, near the A1 (or Great North Road) and the M62 motorway. Historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, it is one of the five towns in the metropolitan borough of the City of Wakefield and has a population of 28,250, increasing to 30,881 at the 2011 Census. Pontefract's motto is Post mortem patris pro filio, Latin for "After the death of the father, support the son", a reference to English Civil War Royalist sympathies.
Restaurants in Pontefract
1. KL Falconry
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
KL falconry is a mobile falconry business, currently providing experience days and education for all age groups
2. The Robin Hood, Pontefract
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By dwalton871 - Pontefract, United Kingdom
Great pub with excellent range of beers (including some brewed on site). Improving on a weekly basis with upgraded beer garden, new outside coffee shop and soon to be opened upstairs music venue. Landlord also runs excellent foreign bottled beer shop in the centre of town
3. Fired Art Designs
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 42 reviews
The studio is set in half an acre of garden and can seat 32 people. Open 7 days a week 10.00am - 5.00pm, booking is advisable. There's plenty to choose from at the studio, from pottery painting, with over 80 pottery shapes to choose from, to creating a pot from scratch on the potter's wheel. Full tuition is given to ensure you get great results from your pottery. Tea and coffee are part of your studio fee and there is free parking available to the rear of the pottery. We also have a craft supplies and gift shop. Private events including birthday parties, hen parties, baby showers, team building events, workshops and ladies nights can all be arranged and tailored to your requirements.
Reviewed By lozb381
I booked a day on the wheel after doing a course in Leeds a few years ago. It was wonderful, Rachel is a great teacher and helped me make some pieces I will definitely be keeping for myself unlike everything else I've ever made! I am going back once lockdown allows! Thank you Rachel!
4. Pontefract's Valley Gardens
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By paulrI723NK - Santa Clara, United States
Lovely Gardens not as good as it was back in the day , all but abandoned by Wakefield council . Fortunately a group called Friends Of Friarwood Valley Gardens, Pontefract are doing a great job of keeping it tidy and well groomed .
5. Mill Pond Meadow
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By cookiesmum2019 - East Riding of Yorkshire, United Kingdom
An amazing larger than life metal sculptured horse standing proudly looking over 353 trees planted in memory of the 353 souls who gave their lives from Featherstone in WW1. Well worth a visit. Thought provoking and a wonderful tribute to those folk who paid the ultimate price to preserve the life that we knew. Free car parking at local rugby club next to site. Pathway to site can be bit muddy, but you can walk along footpath beside road and access via pedestrian gate set into hedgerow.
6. Frickley Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By explorerjQ3705WY
Plenty of walks and a car park. The park run is one for people to challenge and attend! Very large area with lots to do and see so a must visit for any dog walker.
7. Brockadale Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By Dazz2401 - Yorkshire, United Kingdom
I live about 5 miles away from this but had no idea it was there. A true hidden gem. Car park off Leys Lane near Little Smeaton. Plenty of doggy doo bins and signs around the beautiful site to help identity the abundance of its wildlife. River is shallow and clear and the dog loved having a cool down. From the car park follow the path to the great view of the valley. Turn left towards Little Smeaton and see numerous fairy doors!
8. Pontefract Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Sometimes when you walk through Pontefract town centre you can smell the delicious aroma of sweets being made. Yum! The museum also tells the story of Pontefract and the people who have lived, worked and played there. Discover the history of Pontefract Castle from the construction of a wooden fort after the Battle of Hastings to its demolition by public request after the last siege of the Civil War. You can also find out how the town of Pontefract grew, thanks to the barracks, coal mine and liquorice manufacture. Discover the world’s first secret ballot box, a golden lion and a Victorian range. Pontefract Museum was built in 1904 as a Carnegie public library in the art nouveau style; this building still has many of the original fittings. Beautiful tiles decorate the entrance and staircase, with intricate door handles and matching chairs. If you like the art nouveau style then this building is unmissable. Want to know more about Pontefract’s fascinating history? The reference room has the books, articles, maps and photographs you need. This much loved and well used resource is a must for all things Pontefract. Explore your family history or just browse fascinating facts, there’s information here you won’t find anywhere else. Knottingley became a centre of glass-making in Victorian Times and the area continues to produce glass today. Pontefract Museum is home to an incredible collection of Bagley’s glass
Reviewed By Millie024 - Llantwit Major, United Kingdom
Last week I telephoned the Pontefract museum to make an enquiry. First class telephone help, and the items I had asked to see available when I arrived. Thank you, David, and your very helpful colleagues. The archive library is a treasure chest of books and box files about this interesting town. On the track of my three times great grandfather, I found my visit to the museum very helpful. After my research, I enjoyed looking at the displays about the town history, a video about a hermitage , and a special exhibition about a local printing firm. The museum used to be the town library and was financed by Andrew Carnegie, the philanthropist. It is a building of great character, with some lovely glazed tiles . Open on a Bank Holiday Monday, we were absolutely thrilled with our visit.
9. Tap & Barrel Pontefract
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 104 reviews
Reviewed By Yorkshirepub75 - Castleford, United Kingdom
Excellent pub with a friendly and welcoming feel to it. Coal fire and welcoming locals would recommend going for a drink.
10. St. Giles Church of England
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