Our Thoughts on Pontefract – Our Local Yorkshire Town
Our Thoughts on Pontefract – Our Local Yorkshire Town
Pontefract is more than just another Yorkshire town to us. We live in nearby Ackworth, so it's our local town, somewhere we've visited countless times over the years for shopping, a drink, a wander around or simply an afternoon out.
We've got some lovely memories of Pontefract, and it's a place that has played an important part in our lives.
This isn't intended to be a complete visitor guide. It's our personal take on Pontefract: the places we enjoy, the things we remember and the reasons we keep going back.
For all the practical information, places to visit, walks, shops and businesses, you can explore our Pontefract Town Hub.
A Special Connection to Pontefract
One of our happiest memories is getting married at The Kings Croft Hotel in 2004.
That alone gives Pontefract a special place in our hearts. More than twenty years later, we still have that connection with the town.
Living in Ackworth means Pontefract has always been close enough for a quick visit, whether we've needed to do some shopping, pick something up or just fancied getting out for a few hours.
And sometimes, there's nothing better than leaving the car at home, catching the bus into town on a Saturday afternoon and visiting a few of our favourite pubs.
A Saturday Afternoon in Pontefract
We do enjoy a good Saturday afternoon in Pontefract.
There's something about the atmosphere of the town's traditional pubs that appeals to us. They're places where you can have a conversation, enjoy a drink and spend a relaxed afternoon without feeling you're paying a fortune for the privilege.
And, being Yorkshire folk, we certainly appreciate the prices!
Over the years, we've built up a list of favourite places.
The Green Dragon is one of them. We also enjoy The Maltshovel, the Beastfair Vaults and the Ancient Borough Arms, which we've always called the A B.
Then there's The Windmill and The Broken Bridge, which have also featured in our Saturday afternoons over the years.
These aren't recommendations based on somebody else's online reviews. They're places we know and have enjoyed ourselves.
Of course, Pontefract has plenty of other pubs to choose from. In more recent years, the Ropergate area in particular has seen a growing selection of places to go for a drink, adding another dimension to the town's social scene.
We don't feel the need to visit everywhere in one afternoon. Sometimes it's nice to stick with the old favourites, and sometimes it's good to try somewhere different.
That's part of the enjoyment.
Shopping in Pontefract
Pontefract is also a practical town for everyday shopping.
There's a reasonable selection of shops, several supermarkets and plenty of parking options, so whether you're doing a proper shop or just calling in for a few things, it's a useful place to visit.
We particularly like that Pontefract still has its traditional market.
The Pontefract Market Hall and surrounding market area are part of the town's character. We think independent traders and traditional markets are important, and we'd much rather see them thriving than disappearing from our town centres.
One of our regular stops is Gary's the butcher on Market Place, where we like to buy our meat.
It's these everyday businesses that help make a town feel like a proper community rather than somewhere filled entirely with the same national chains.
We enjoy supporting local traders where we can, and we're always pleased to come across another independent business worth visiting.
There's More to Pontefract Than the Shops and Pubs
Although we tend to associate Pontefract with everyday life, shopping and Saturday afternoons, there's a remarkable amount of history here.
The most obvious landmark is Pontefract Castle, which has been at the centre of some extraordinary chapters of English history.
The castle's connections with royalty, sieges and the English Civil Wars make it far more than just a collection of old ruins.
If you're visiting Pontefract for the first time, it's certainly worth finding out more about the castle and its past.
There's also Pontefract Museum, where you can discover more about the town's history, including its famous connection with liquorice.
Pontefract's liquorice heritage is something that makes the town distinctive. It's celebrated through events such as the Pontefract Liquorice Festival.
And if you fancy some fresh air, there's Pontefract Park, with its open spaces, lake and walking routes.
All these places offer different reasons to spend time in the town.
What We Like About Pontefract
For us, Pontefract has the advantage of being familiar.
We know our way around, we have places we enjoy returning to, and we've made memories here over many years.
We like the traditional pubs, the atmosphere on a Saturday afternoon, the independent traders and the fact that we can still enjoy a relatively inexpensive afternoon out.
We also like that Pontefract has a character of its own. It has an interesting history, longstanding businesses and places that are part of the everyday life of the local community.
It's not always about finding something spectacular to see or do.
Sometimes a good afternoon is simply catching the bus into town, having a wander, visiting a couple of familiar places and heading home having enjoyed ourselves.
And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Our Thoughts Will Keep Growing
This article is the beginning of our personal account of Pontefract, rather than something we'll write once and forget about.
As we revisit the town, discover new businesses, try different pubs or come across something interesting, we'll add to it.
We'll also update anything that changes, because towns don't stand still and neither should the information we share about them.
It's part of what we want to do with The White Shire: combine useful local guides with our own experiences of Yorkshire.
If you're planning a visit, have a look at our Pontefract Town Hub, where you'll find places to eat and drink, shopping, attractions, walks and other practical information to help you explore.
And if you live locally, we'd love to know what you particularly enjoy about Pontefract.
Michael and Lyn – The White Shire
We live in Ackworth, just outside Pontefract, and enjoy discovering and sharing the places, people and stories that make Yorkshire special.
Our Thoughts on Pontefract – Our Local Yorkshire Town
DON'T MISS YORKSHIRE
Get new walks, places to visit, What's On picks and Yorkshire discoveries from Mick & Lyn at The White Shire.
Comments