What a little delight. It's a very small but beautiful little museum with a good history of Pontefract. I particularly liked the liquorice factory exhibition as my grandparents both worked at Wilkinson's liquorice factory. The staff were really friendly & welcoming & obviously enjoyed their work there.

We visited the museum on a week day. We was quiet and no queues. Id day if you was planning you're day, you only need about 30 mins. Great to learn about the history of Pontefract

This small free museum is a couple of minutes walk from the marketplace and is housed in a beautifully small art nouveau building. It details the history of this once prosperous town and has many interesting exhibits for example the coin hoard from the Civil War period as well as glass objects produced locally. The artist Charles Pears and his works that were made into Art Deco posters are featured in one room Allow about 30 minutes for a visit.

This is a free museum it's only small but it was brilliant! Very interactive! They provide a checklist for the kids to do, there was arts and crafts, large building blocks, as we all a rocking house and a play greengrocers it was brilliant the kids had a very good time! The staff were also amazing!

Only a lil ole museum, but it packs a punch for its weight. Lovely, friendly and welcoming staff. Free to enter, but there is a donations box in the vestibule. The display rooms are all on one level, on the ground floor and there are loos too. A truly beautiful and attractive building inside and out. Worth going to see for its architecture alone. Lots of information and artefacts packed in to the rooms. Won't take you long to go round, but what they have on display is in great nick, is all interesting and is all well displayed and done with care. There is a glorious painting of Pontefract Castle from back in the day, commissioned by King Charles 1 and painted by the Flemish artist, Alexander Keirincx. Oh to be a time traveller! The photo of the liquorice dress is intriguing. Interesting to see the hoard, buried in all liklihood by a Royalist, which included a ring. Quite moving to look at this ring and imagine its owner. Engraved inside it are the words: "When this you see, remember me." Glad I went. Great little place. Bravo! Recommended.

Nice little place, frre entry, worth a visit

Small museum, admission is free. Gives a detailed history of pontefract connection to liquorice. What life was like to the inhabitants of the castle and surrounding villages. Interactive points for adults and children. Another room had many watercolour paintings from a local artist of how pontefract is now. Another room explained the history of glass and glass making and its connection to pontefract. The last room was a small library with history about the town itself. Staff were lovely and informative.

Don't forget to visit this little gem of a museum. Also art exhibition until Feb 2022. Free entry . In the centre of Pontefract next to the library.

Small but nice, learn about Liquorice pontefract cakes and more. Very friendly staff

Just fabulous. Staff very welcoming and informative. Fascinating artefacts and library where you can peruse the wonderful history of Pontefract. Will definitely visit again.

Array of small artefacts from around the Pontefract,and Knottingley area along with details of the history of said artefacts. Some exhibits also have an accompanying video e.g. The glass bottle manufacturing plant at Knottingley. Only a small building, but made good use of.

Lovely exhibition on about the posters of Charles Pears who was born in Pontefract, on until 25th Feb 2022

It's free and great for learning about local history in Pontefract.

Delightfully unpretentious and informative. A good hour spent learning the local history. Loads for kiddies to do...must bring my grandson next time.Very polite staff

Small local Museum.Nothing outstanding but worth a visit if you are visiting Pontefract

A great little museum full of history of the local area a rekindle of memories for me

Interesting place to visit to learn about a bit of Yorkshire I didn't know. The displays about liquorice and the Civil War were interesting- especially the civil war hoard that someone had found. They should have a shop though where you can buy books on the local area- I'd love one about the civil war!

Went with my daughter. The volunteers were fantastic and kept my daughter entertained with a sixties themed event ,then did some flower power colouring in all before looking round the museum

A very short museum but still incite full

Very knowledgeable staff

I really loved this little museum, what a treasure! The staff were lovely. The displays were so clear and beautifully presented. I spent at least an hour in the main hall, reading the information sheets and watching the short films - so well done. The Railway poster exhibition is lovely. The only slight criticism I have is that I couldn't find out anything about the actual process of making liquorice. The girls who worked in the factory were called something like thumpers I think but, apart from that, I am no wiser.

Small but perfectly formed with some really interesting exhibits. Staff friendly too.

Lovely little museum, staff were very helpful recommend popping in if you're in Pontefract town centre

Worth a look to catch up on local history, good place to go with young families especially on a Saturday as there are activities provided.

Excellent little museum. Explained a lot.

Small museum,Have toilet,Friendly staff.

A small museum that covers the liquorice story of Pontefract. Ancillary exhibits cover the history of the town. Archives room is full of info and history. The building itself is of note. The ceramic tiled entrance hall and stairs are great example. The free entry is a bonus. Staff are knowledgeable and helpful.

Absolutely brilliant for toddlers. There’s a tiny soft play, some crafts, plenty of toys. My 1 year old loved running around and looking at everything. It’s so interesting and rich in history too so an incredibly interesting visit. Staff are so friendly. I’ll definitely be back again in the future.

Beautiful example of art nouveau architecture. Lovely features on the interior and some nice exhibits, reference, and historical finds. Staff very helpful and interested in their work.

Took my Stepson into Pontefract, I'd never been in the museum so we decided to give it a try. We really enjoyed our walk around, there's a lot in there for a small museum! Would recommend visiting.

Worth spending an hour, lovely art exhibition on at the moment

Pretty little museum. Display changes regularly.

A nice museum with a good collection but I needed more time to explore everything. The staff were helpful and friendly and there were activities (colouring, dress up etc) for the kids. There is also a room where you can read up on local history.

My two boys aged 10 & 7 really enjoyed their visit today.

Nice staff. For a place so steeped in history as Pontefract, the museum seems a bit sparse. That said, what exhibits there are, is interesting.

I went to see a display of Geoff Leathley paintings and I was not disappointed. I love Geoff's work. This exhibition is on until next year and well worth a visit. I will certainly go back again.

A local history gem in an impressive building in the centre of Pontefract. This was my first visit after the redisplay and I was impressed by the new layout and style. It was much more accessible for casual visitors. As avid museum goers, we would probably have liked more information on individual artefacts, though the case guides were useful in this regard. The staff were friendly and helpful too, which always makes a visit better.

Nice place with friendly staff

Great xx

Educational for all ages. Kids and adults alike will find something for them.

Not much there

Great day with lots of activities for the littlies xx

Excellent xxxx

Crafts .and drawing and history .

Lots to see all of which is very interesting. Instead of labelling items, they have laminated A4 sheets with the information. There was only the two of us in the museum but we had to wait to read the sheets and it was awkward trying to look at items, hold the sheet and juggle our belongings. There was an interesting video about the hermitage but you could only see it by standing directly over it. This was tiring for my 82 year old dad who preferred to sit down. I don't think wheel chair users woul be able to see it. We didn't watch the video in the glass room as dad's legs were tired by that stage and again there was no seat. The staff were super friendly and knowledgeable.

Nice little museum, free addmissons

Very interesting staff very helpful

Great architecture.

Good exhibition including loan from the British Museum

Very interesting, lots of information about the importance of our local area and how it has contributed to the way we live now.

Good museum packed with local history

Great museum .

Had an enjoyable visit helped by friendly staff - and it's free, what's not to like?

Brought back some memories of how things used to be

Visited the Liquorice Santa event. It was great, and the children had a good time. Santa was brilliant, the best one we've been to. Hope he is back next year. It's so good that this event is free, too. Much appreciated. The museum is well run and a pleasure to visit with our son. It offers a good insight into the past of Pontefract and the immediate area.

A super little museum.

Excellent synoptical history from the story of liquorice to the early days of the town really informative and meticulous attention to detail.

Good displays. Very interesting.

Fantastic well worth a visit or 3

Ruined castle which is having some remedial work done. No access to the building remains. Visitor centre had no hot water or heating do no cafe