Pontefract is one of the ' five towns ' in the district of Wakefield with a population of approximately 29,000 people. Its name originates from the Latin Ponte Fractus, which translated means "Broken Bridge". The name Pontefract does not appear in the Domesday Book but an area of the town known as Tanshelf does. Pontefract Castle, built around 1070 by Ilbert de Lacy, suffered terribly throughout the English Civil War years. Oliver Cromwell once stated that he believed Pontefract Castle was "one of the strongest inland garrisons in the kingdom".

Pontefract has been a market town since the Middle Ages and its location on deep sandy soil made it one of the few places throughout Britain where liquorice could be grown. While liquorice growing disappeared some time ago, other long standing traditions such as its large number of pubs and its racecourse continue to provide entertainment for its inhabitants and visitors alike.

The photographs featured below are the copyright of Andrew Johnson
To see further examples of Andrew's work visit his website at www.atjphotography.co.uk

$All Saints Church Pontefract by Andrew Johnson$

$Tomb in All Saints Church Pontefract by Andrew Johnson$

$Blacksmith sign Pontefract Castle by Andrew Johnson$

$Evangelical Church Pontefract by Andrew Johnson$

$St Giles Church Pontefract by Andrew Johnson$

$Pontefract Market Hall by Andrew Johnson$

$Street scene in Pontefract by Andrew Johnson$

$Pontefract War Memorial by Andrew Johnson$

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