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EuropeUnited KingdomEngland

Pontefract

England, United Kingdom · Europe

About Pontefract

Pontefract is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Knottingley, 44km from Stanage Edge.

Pontefract is a town located in England, United Kingdom. With a population of 44,710, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Pontefract sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Pontefract to your route.

About Pontefract

Pontefract is a historic market town in the City of Wakefield, a metropolitan district in West Yorkshire, England. It lies to the east of Wakefield and south of Castleford. Historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, it had a population of 30,881 at the 2011 Census. Pontefract's motto is Post mortem patris pro

Read more filio, Latin for "After the death of the father, support the son", a reference to the town's Royalist sympathies in the English Civil War. Small villages and settlements in the immediate area include Stapleton.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Pontefract

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Pontefract?

Pontefract offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Pontefract?

Plan your road trip to Pontefract with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Pontefract as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Pontefract located?

Pontefract is located in England, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 53.6911 latitude, -1.3127 longitude.

What is the population of Pontefract?

Pontefract has a population of approximately 44,710 people, making it a town in United Kingdom.

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Quick Information

Population
44,710
Continent
Europe
Country
United Kingdom
Region
England
Timezone
Europe/London
Coordinates
53.6911, -1.3127

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United Kingdom

Police
999
Ambulance
999
Fire
999
Non-emergency police
101
Driving side
left

112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.

Full driving guide for United Kingdom

Tags

EuropeUnited KingdomEnglandTown

Worth the detour from Pontefract

8 notable places within an hour's drive.

cafe

Squires Cafe Bar

One of Yorkshire's most famous biker cafes near Sherburn-in-Elmet, hosting regular bike nights and rallies.

12 km · about 20 min drive

racetrack

Harewood Speed Hillclimb

The longest hillclimb course in England at 1,598 yards, climbing Yorkshire moorland on the Harewood estate with sweeping open views over Wharfedale from the spectator banks.

26 km · about 30 min drive

cathedral

York Minster

One of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe, famous for its medieval stained glass.

34 km · about 40 min drive

photogenic

The Shambles

Medieval York street where overhanging timber-framed shops nearly touch across the lane, some dating to the 14th century. Once a row of butchers' shops; the meat-hooks and wide sill-boards survive.

34 km · about 40 min drive

cafe

Bettys Café Tea Rooms, Harrogate

Yorkshire tea-room institution founded by Swiss confectioner Frederick Belmont in 1919, still family-owned and famous for Fat Rascals and its art-deco interior inspired by the Queen Mary liner.

37 km · about 40 min drive

natural wonder

Stanage Edge

Dramatic gritstone escarpment stretching for nearly 4 miles across the Peak District, beloved by rock climbers and walkers alike.

44 km · about 50 min drive

cafe

Ladybower Inn

A traditional inn at the junction of Snake Pass and the A57 in the Peak District, a beloved meeting point for bikers and drivers tackling England's famous Snake Pass.

44 km · about 50 min drive

famous road

Snake Pass

A twisting road through the Peak District connecting Sheffield and Manchester, beloved by motorcyclists and driving enthusiasts.

46 km · about 55 min drive

Driving roads near Pontefract

  • 46 kmSnake PassA twisting road through the Peak District connecting Sheffield and Manchester, beloved by motorcyclists and driving enthusiasts.
  • 47 kmSnake Pass SummitThe highest point on the A57 crossing the Pennines, with moorland views stretching across the Dark Peak landscape.
  • 50 kmMam TorKnown as the 'Shivering Mountain' for its unstable layers, this Peak District summit offers spectacular views along the Great Ridge to Lose Hill.
  • 50 kmWinnats PassA steep, narrow limestone gorge with towering pinnacles on either side, creating one of the Peak District's most dramatic drives.
  • 57 kmHumber BridgeVast single-span suspension bridge over the Humber estuary near Hull: the world's longest of its kind for 16 years after opening in 1981, with a 2.2km crossing that still feels like flying over water.
  • 65 kmCat and Fiddle RoadA thrilling moorland road between Macclesfield and Buxton in the Peak District, one of the UK's most famous driving roads.

Driving in United Kingdom

Drives on
the left
Petrol
~€1.73/litre
Motorway tolls
None

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Pontefract.

Ferrybridge

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

3 km awayPop. 1,491

Featherstone

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

3 km awayPop. 11,060

Darrington

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

3 km awayPop. 1,182

Knottingley

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

4 km awayPop. 13,804

Low Ackworth

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

5 km awayPop. 1,500

Byram

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

5 km awayPop. 1,406

Castleford

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

5 km awayPop. 45,106

Normanton

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

7 km away

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence