Pontefract, West Yorkshire | Town Centre Walk 2020

King Edward I once said that 'he who holds Pontefract, holds the key to the North'. That alone is evidence of how historic a town Pontefract is, and one of the most fascinating in all of England, with a history including the Vikings, the death of King Richard II, the English Civil War and the production of liquorice.
On our walk around town, we pass a number of interesting sights, including the Old Town Hall, Market Hall, Pontefract Museum, St. Giles' Church, the former Magistrates' Court, the Haribo Factory, Liquorice Way, Pontefract War Memorial, Beastfair, Pontefract Market Buttercross, Market Place, Pontefract Bus Station, the ruins of Pontefract Castle, Kirkebi Anglo-Saxon Church and All Saints' Church.
0:00 Pontefract Old Town Hall
0:33 Gillygate
0:41 Church Lane
1:22 Salter Row
2:08 Pontefract Museum
2:27 St. Giles' Church
3:24 Cornmarket
4:37 Former Magistrates' Court
4:59 Cornmarket
5:13 Haribo Factory
5:39 Liquorice Way
6:54 Belk's Court
7:25 Beastfair
8:47 Pontefract Market Buttercross
9:03 Market Place
10:06 Pontefract Market Hall
10:23 Market Place
10:44 Old Town Hall
10:58 Gillygate
11:26 Bridge Street
11:50 Horse Fair
12:31 Pontefract Bus Station
12:41 Horse Fair
15:09 Micklegate
15:40 Castle Garth
16:26 Site of The Barbican
16:47 Pontefract Castle
23:05 Castle Garth
24:40 The Booths
25:06 Kirkebi Anglo-Saxon Church
25:33 All Saints' Church
27:35 Thank you for watching!
Stats for nerds:
Distance walked: 1.4 miles/2.3km
Step count: 2800 steps (approx.)
Time taken: 27 mins 24 secs
Average speed: 3.1mph/4.9kmh
Please do not use any footage from this video without my permission.

[@volfire1]

I was an American exchange student here in Pontefract in 1973. I have been still visiting for over 40 years. Your video helped to bring back a lot of memories.

[@LetsWalkUK]

I'm really glad to hear it! I hope you had a lovely time in Pontefract all those years ago :) Thank you for watching!

[@noelmoore7574]

Thankyou for the video! I used to live in Knottingley not far from Pontefract, then I lived in Pontefract just across from the bus station behind Enterprise House in the flats. Back in the 90s. Brought back so many memories watching the video so thanks for the flashbacks!! 😊

[@SerBallister]

Speaking of "Ponte Carlo", the neighbouring town of Castleford was known as "Cas Vegas". Had some epic nights out in Pontefract when I lived there in the late 90s, a lot of pubs to visit for such a small place.

[@timnewman6529]

Dont forget Fetherly Hills and Vietnorm lol.

[@karenbarker1229]

I am originally from Pontefract. But moved to leeds when I was a child in in 1969 had to re locate due to a family members job . I’d move back to Pontefract tomorrow if I could

[@jackjohnhameld6401]

I had never seen a photograph of Pontefract so your film was as good as a visit, or nearly. The Castle ruins are indeed outstanding and so are the views and the open grassy setting. I like the quiet back streets and stonework.

[@LetsWalkUK]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed the video, and that it was almost like visiting Pontefract! It's a very atmospheric town and those castle ruins are hugely impressive - there are few places quite as captivating in Yorkshire, or even England, as this :) Thank you so much for watching and for your lovely comments!

[@webbiedebby7842]

Thank you for this! Brought back memories for me. I used to live in Pontefract in 91/92. Worked in town centre in Ritz video shop. I forget what the street was called but it was one way street. Rented house on Hardwick road, not originally from pontefract & left to return home to County Durham. Liked Ponte & had some happy memories there. Thank you again.

[@Pedro-vx8eu]

I was there in 2004, I went a few times to Bigfellas..Hugs from Brazil.

[@LetsWalkUK]

I hope you had a great time! Pontefract is a great town indeed :) Obrigado for watching!

[@susanmorris6746]

Loved this video I’m from Liverpool be was married in pontefract and past my driving test in pontefract. I lived in Yorkshire for 11 years, pontefract Is such a beautiful town very beautiful and interesting. So glad I watched this thank you 👏🏻

[@LetsWalkUK]

I'm so glad to hear it! Pontefract really is an impressive town with some incredible history and beautiful buildings - I do hope this video brought back some nice memories of when you were in the area :) Thank you so much for watching and for your very kind words!

[@zocco15az]

Yes this is my second time of watching this one and can understand your fondness for the place.👍

[@michellebruce5092]

Great walk. I enjoyed it all your walks are great and wonderful hope to see more soon greetings from Canada 😀

[@LetsWalkUK]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed the walk around Pontefract - it's a fascinating town and home to some of my favourite history in the country :)

[@LukeThegeek]

You’re teaching me about my own hometown and where I currently go to college. The only thing I knew was the Haribo thing and Beastfair Vaults because it’s my dad’s favourite pub lmao. You reckon you’ll do any more of the Wakefield area. (Seen your Castlefield and Knottingley ones). Great watch, you somehow made an almost half an hour walk interesting for a 17 year old 👍

[@LetsWalkUK]

Wow! Thank you so much for your very kind words! I'm really glad to hear you enjoyed the video and the facts about Pontefract - which really is one of my favourite towns in England :) I'll certainly be doing more videos in the Wakefield area in the future, from the big city itself to more towns around and about - so stay tuned for that! Thank you so much once again for watching and for your kind words - it means a lot!

[@mandymichaels6131]

I have known Wakefield more than 28 years now. I live in Lupset now and that's near thornes. I have knowledge of some places and none of others. I didn't know anything about what Thornes park had to offer. your video walk just blew me away taking a look around the secret garden I didn't know existed. it's stunning and feels closely bonding with nature.🚴🐗🎃♥♥♥♥

[@LetsWalkUK]

Ha ha thank you very much! I'm really glad you enjoyed the video - there's always some fascinating and hidden history to uncover in your local area :)

[@debraanchante3661]

My 9th great grandpa, William Todd was born in Pontefract in 1569 and died there and is supposedly buried at the old church there.. I’ve traced a direct line of the Todd family to him and can’t find out who his father was. We are Scottish.. my DNA still says so after all this time. Maybe his father was from Scotland.. anyway I found your video about Pontefract very interesting. Thank you for the tour. I really enjoyed it.

[@pontecarlo4354]

Pontefract was my home town until I left for University in 1983. What I find interesting is how much its changed, especially the pub names. I remember the Ponty Tavern used to be called The Blackamoor and I'm pretty sure Black Sabbath played there in the 70s, and sad to see The Windmill is boarded up as I spent my underage drinking years there. Anyhow thanks for the video as it brings back great memories. ories

[@dlittlester]

Another great walk. Thanks! I met a man who lives there. Must give him an email one of these days.

[@LetsWalkUK]

Thank you so much! I'm really glad you enjoyed the walk, Pontefract is a great place indeed :)

[@TheMoonchester]

WHAT CAN I SAY ANOTHER GREAT VIDEO KEEP IT UP AND STAY SAFE

[@LetsWalkUK]

Thank you! I'm really glad you're enjoying the videos - hope you're keeping well too :)

[@elainebezuidenhout162]

Your videos are really good and very informative as well😀

[@LetsWalkUK]

Thank you so much! That really means a lot to hear - there's so much fascinating history up and down the UK, and in places like Pontefract there's certainly a whole lot to discover :) I'm really glad that you're enjoying the videos and that you're finding them interesting and informative!

[@gegunbie3701]

really made me smile from Bill and qwen gunbie happy memories in the 50s and 60s here now live in poulton le fylde lancashire

[@terryansell6641]

I used to live in Pontefract for a while and forgotten how interesting the place is

[@itspart]

Great video but you walked past the counting House one of the oldest buildings in pontefract please go back research it and give is a video 😊 😊😊

[@katewebber1131]

Thankyou. Was a student nurse for just over 3 1/2 years. Loved living in. We got box of sweets for the nurses home each year.Is the black horse still there?? .

[@ellag1249]

I love here and have been to town so many times but it looks so different on camera

[@LetsWalkUK]

Thanks! I really like Pontefract too - though I must agree it is interesting how it looks different through a camera, I'm not entirely sure why... Thank you so much for watching :)

[@ellag1249]

@@LetsWalkUK yeah . I actually live in ponty and have grown up there . Next time you do a video on ponty though I would recommend you look up at the buildings as there’s some very beautiful designs you will find

[@LetsWalkUK]

@@ellag1249 Thanks! I'll bear those comments in mind for next time I return to Pontefract, I agree there's some beautiful architecture about :)

[@Anees_bfd]

In the gilly gate area if u went down instead of up a take away called ‘mayas’ is rlly good

[@LetsWalkUK]

Nice! I'll check it out next time I'm in Pontefract - thanks for the tip and thanks for watching :)

[@andywright3450]

Nice walk mate any chance you could do Leeds centre thanku

[@LetsWalkUK]

I'll absolutely be doing a video in central Leeds! They're digging up a bit of The Headrow at the minute but I think (or hope) they'll be done soon - then I'll get right to making a video :) Thank you so much for watching - I'm glad you liked the video!

[@fumps]

I was Bourne in Pontefract, lived there till I was in my early 20's. Although the history is amazing its a shame what it has become, maybe one day it will become aware of how to regenerate itself. Its a good place to grow up but like most people I know I moved away for a better life which really is a shame.

[@leeanngraham5035]

Just curious...is that a pentagram on the outside of the church?

[@gerardjachymiak3799]

0:25 why didn't you show the beautiful apartments just 50 meters away

[@denisjones7836]

You cover so many aspects in your walks, but if you happen to pass a Wetherspoons could say a word or dwell your camera for a couple of seconds please. They are often interesting buildings in their own right. Thank you.

[@LetsWalkUK]

Absolutely! Thank you for the feedback, lots of Wetherspoons and pubs are very interesting indeed, I'll make sure to give them a bit more attention in future! Thank you so much for watching :)

[@charliemellor3133]

i live down the road it may look gloomy but go on licorice day you will not regret it

[@LetsWalkUK]

Absolutely! Pontefract is a wonderful town full of life and heritage, and the liquorice is probably the icing on the cake of it all, particularly if the celebrations are held under the sun :) Thank you so much for watching - I really hope you enjoyed this video!

[@paulinerodgerson2476]

Jean Gaunt!

[@ufoscriptorium]

🖖👽👍 ... 👻

[@Plantagenetic]

Shakespeare and Hathaway brought me here.

[@MrChrisBarker]

We're a junction town. A through road to other places.

[@lozzinj16]

I’m going to the haunted house in east drive :) someone to,d me it’s not really haunted but I paid now so lol

[@LetsWalkUK]

Best of luck! Hope it's not too scary - and make sure to check out the rest of Pontefract if you get the chance :) Thank you so much for watching!

[@johnmorgan4124]

Ghost town now. It's dead. Killed by the tories. ☹️😡

[@manoomunicnent1773]

Good grief the KFC is still there. It was the disgusting smell of that place that's put me off ever going to a KFC anywhere.

[@LukeThegeek]

Right now the sign for it has gone. No idea what happened to it but every time I walk past it’s just a brown board instead of the KFC logo