skip to main content
The Association of British Counties

Gazetteer of
British Place Names

The definitive reference source to the United Kingdom. Explore over 300,000 places.

 Menu  Menu

Pontefract, Yorkshire

Pontefract is a historic market town in Yorkshire, in the West Riding. Pontefract is on an old Roman road (now the A639), described as the "Roman Ridge". Pontefract Castle began as a wooden motte-and-bailey castle, built before 1086 by Ilbert de Lacy, later rebuilt in stone. Pontefract has been a market town since the Middle Ages. Pontefract cakes originate from the town, a result of its liquorice-sweet industry. The town is within the council area of Wakefield.

Place Type: Town
Historic County: Yorkshire
Division of County: West Riding
Lat, Long: 53.691526,-1.311524
Grid Reference: SE 4556 2189
Council Area: Wakefield CA
Strategic Authority Area: West Yorkshire SA
Police Area: West Yorkshire PA

GBPN ID: 36314
Entry Type: Main listing (P)
URL: https://gazetteer.org.uk/place/Pontefract,_Yorkshire_36314

 Explore Pontefract on Wikishire
 Peruse Yorkshire on Wikishire