Discover 10 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Pontefract (United Kingdom). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Pontefract Castle, St Giles' Church, and Pontefract Market Hall. Also, be sure to include Pontefract Town Hall in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Pontefract (England).
Table of Contents
Pontefract Castle
11th-century fort with military store. Pontefract Castle is a castle ruin in the town of Pontefract, in West Yorkshire, England. King Richard II is thought to have died there. It was the site of a series of famous sieges during the 17th-century English Civil War.[1]
Address: Castle Chain, Pontefract
St Giles' Church
The Church of the St. Giles' in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England is an active Anglican parish church in the archdeaconry of Leeds and the Diocese of Leeds. The church is Grade II* listed. St Giles is one of two Anglican churches in the town centre; the other being All Saints' which united into one benefice in June 2019. The current Priest of Pontefract is Canon June Lawson.[2]
Address: Market Pl, WF8 1AT Pontefract
Pontefract Market Hall
Building. Pontefract Market Hall is a market hall in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England. It was completed in 1860. Pontefract market takes place both in the hall and on the Market Place on which the hall is situated. It was designated a Grade II listed building in 1950.[3]
Address: 53-54 Market Place, WF8 1AU, Pontefract
Pontefract Town Hall
Pontefract Town Hall is a town hall in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England. It was completed in 1882. It is now owned and used by Wakefield Council as a registry office. The building has been Grade II listed since 15 November 1988.[4]
Address: Bridge Street, Pontefract
Pontefract Museum
Museum in Pontefract, England. Pontefract Museum is a local museum in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England. The collections cover archaeology, archives, decorative and applied art, fine art, photographs and social history.[5]
Address: 5 Salter Row, WF8 1BA Pontefract
Micklegate Methodist Church
Micklegate Methodist Church is an active Methodist Church of Great Britain church in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England.[6]
Address: Micklegate, Pontefract
Pontefract Library
Pontefract Library is a public library in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England. The present day building is notable as one of the last examples of architecture by John Poulson[7]
Address: Salter Row, Pontefract
Pontefract Hospital
Pontefract Hermitage is a medieval hermitage situated below the old Southgate entrance to the General Infirmary in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England. It is a grade I listed structure.
The retreat consists of two chambers carved out of sandstone, side by side but on different levels. From the lower chamber a 63 step spiral staircase descends to a well. The later upper chamber, known as the Oratory, measures 14 feet (4.3 m) by 8 feet (2.4 m) with a domed ceiling up to 8 feet high. The Oratory contains an altar, a fireplace, a bench and low stool and a bed shelf. The entrance to the hermitage was protected by bolted doors.
Pontefract had hermits from the early 13th century, the earliest of whom, Peter of Pomfret, was executed by King John in 1213 for predicting his downfall. This was dramatised in the Shakespeare's play King John. The hermit tradition continued for about three centuries. The hermitage described here dates from 1386 after Robert de Laythorpe granted the then hermit, Brother Adam, the hermitage and accompanying land for life. It was discovered in October 1854 by workmen laying a new sewer.
The hermitage can be visited on scheduled open days.[8]
Address: Friarwood Lane, Pontefract
Pontefract Barracks
Pontefract Barracks is a former military installation in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England.[9]
New College
Sixth form college in Pontefract, England. New College is a coeducational, sixth form college in Pontefract in West Yorkshire, England. It acquired academy status in 2017, forming a trust to open colleges in other areas, called the New Collaborative Learning Trust. At its last Ofsted inspection in 2014, it was rated outstanding.[10]