Local history: Pontefract resources - Wakefield Museums and Castles

A pile of silver and gold coins from the 1600s found in the Ackworth Hoard

Local history: Pontefract resources

Discover the incredible history of Pontefract and its people through our teaching resources.

From being under siege to making political history, Pontefract has seen it all!

Bring history to life in your classroom. Explore museum objects, photographs and historical documents.

Find out more

A pile of silver and gold coins from the 1600s found in the Ackworth Hoard

Sharing the stories of the Ackworth Hoard

Find out what a pot of coins can tell us about the English Civil Wars. For KS3.

$View of Pontefract Market Place from the top of the Assembly Rooms, looking down towards Georgian buildings$

Pontefract's past: image bank

Explore how Pontefract has changed over time through photographs. For KS2 upwards.

$Pontefract Workhouse, a large imposing brick Victorian building with many windows, chimneys and a grand entrance$

Pontefract Workhouse

Explore what life was like in the Pontefract Workhouse through a range of museum objects, photographs and documents. For KS2 upwards.

Close-up of the Coat of Arms of John de Lacy, a yellow shield background with a purple dragon

Creating coats of arms

Discover the meaning behind different symbols and colours on coats of arms. Design your own! For KS2.

$The remains of the keep and curtain wall at Pontefract Castle$

Exploring Pontefract Castle using maths

Discover Pontefract Castle in a new way and practice your maths skills. For KS2.

Ilbert the Dragon, a friendly yellow and purple dragon mascot

Exploring Pontefract Castle with Ilbert the Dragon

Learn about the different parts of Pontefract Castle with Ilbert the Dragon. For EYFS and KS1.

$Graffiti scratched into the wall in the Pontefract Castle dungeon$

Literacy learning inspired by Pontefract Castle

Practise your literacy skills and be inspired by Pontefract Castle. For KS2.

$The remains of a Norman chapel at Pontefract Castle$

Pontefract Castle and its Norman roots

Explore the earliest beginnings of Pontefract Castle as a Norman castle. For KS2.