Pontefract is a vibrant market town with a rich history. A wonderful place to visit in the warm heart of friendly Yorkshire!

The name "Pontefract" originates from the Latin for "broken bridge", formed of the words pons ('bridge') and fractus ('broken'). Pontefract is known for its historic market place and medieval castle which was built around 1076 by Ilbert de Lacy.

King Richard II was supposedly murdered within the castle walls in 1400. William Shakespeare's play Richard III mentions this incident.

Pontefract has been a market town since, at least, the Middle Ages; the main market days are Wednesday and Saturday, with a smaller market on Fridays. There is also a covered market, which is open all week, except Thursday afternoons and Sundays. Thursday afternoon is half-day closing in Pontefract.

Pontefract's deep, sandy soil makes it one of the few British places in which liquorice can be successfully grown. The town has a liquorice-sweet industry; and the famous Pontefract Cakes are still produced, though the liquorice plant itself is no longer grown there.

The town's two liquorice factories are owned by Haribo (formerly known as Dunhills) and Monkhill Confectionery (part of the Cadbury's Group - formerly known as Wilkinson's), respectively. A Liquorice Festival is held each year. Poet laureate Sir John Betjeman wrote a poem entitled "The Licorice Fields at Pontefract".

Pontefract is locally renowned for its numerous pubs. One of the oldest buildings, dating from the 16th century and previously used as a shop, was turned into a pub in the 1990s, called the Counting House.
Pontefract has the largest circular flat racecource in Europe.