Pontefract Museum

Located in the town centre, Pontefract Museum offers a warm and friendly welcome. Built in 1904 as the town's first library, the building still contains many of its original art noveau fittings. There are intricate door handles and matching chairs, and beautiful tiles that decorate the entrance and staircase.

Step inside the beautiful art nouveau building to discover a world where liquorice and voting collide, where we celebrate the captivating stories of Pontefract, its people, and the history of its once mighty castle. Find lots of fun for families with regular craft activities, colourful costumes to try on and a vibrant play market to inspire the imagination.

Other highlights at the museum include:
The Ackworth Hoard – found recently in a garden in Ackworth and made up of 52 gold coins, 539 silver coins and a single gold ring dating from the Civil War. It is the only hoard known from the Wakefield District and has a distinct Royalist association.

Bagley's Glass Room – exploring the history of glass-making in the area from Roman times to the present day, with many items from the museum's large collection of Bagley's Glass on display.

The Pontefract Gallery – telling the story of Pontefract and its people, revealing the area's outstanding history and bringing to life an exciting and often surprising past. This exhibition boasts the world's first secret ballot box and a unique display of objects related to liquorice.

The Special Exhibition Gallery – showcasing a varied programme of displays inspired by the museum's collections along with loans from other people and places.

The Reference Room – visit to explore Pontefract's fascinating history. Our excellent collection of reference material includes books, articles, photographs and maps.