MARKET TOWN OF PONTEFRACT

A selection of images from Andrew Johnson

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.

For further information about the town of Pontefract, please visit the Pontefract website

The photographs featured below are the copyright of Andrew Johnson