$Pontefract Castle$ Pontefract Castle

The sundial at Pontefract Castle

Have you spotted our special sundial at Pontefract Castle? It both tells you the time and transports you through history.

Each of the points represent a different part of Pontefract’s diverse heritage. It was designed by the Friends of Pontefract Castle. It was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

It was installed on a (very cold!) day in December 2011.

$An adult stood on the 'months' stone with their shadow being cast towards one of the points on the sundial at Pontefract Castle$

How to use the sundial

Stand with your heels or wheels on the current month. The sun will cast your shadow forwards towards the numbered markers. This will then tell you the time!

(The sundial is calibrated to GMT. During British Summer Time you need to add on an hour. BST is the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October.)

You will also need some sun, which we can never guarantee here in West Yorkshire…

A tall rectangular stone with the months of the year going down it

Meanings of the sundial points

A square shaped stone with the Roman numeral for one and an icon of a running horse

I – Horse racing

The first recorded horse race in Pontefract was way back in 1648, though racing here was probably much older. The course at Pontefract is the longest continuous flat racing circuit in Europe. Regular races are still held today.

On display in Pontefract Museum is ‘Screwdriver’ by David Dalby (1826). It shows the Badsworth Cup at Pontefract Racecourse in 1824. One of the main races at Pontefract today is named ‘Screwdriver’ after the winning horse.

A square shaped stone with the Roman numeral for 2 and an icon of a windmill

II – Windmill

Pontefract was once home to several windmills. Today, only Dandy Mill and Darrington windmill survive (but without their blades).

A square shaped stone with the Roman numeral for 3 and the crossed fingers national lottery icon

III – Horse racing

The National Lottery Heritage Fund funded the creation of the sundial at Pontefract in 2011.

A square shaped stone with the Roman numeral for 4 and the letters F O P C

IV – The Friends of Pontefract Castle logo

The Friends of Pontefract Castle designed the sundial. They chose the icons on each of the points.

A square shaped stone with the Roman numeral for 5 and an icon of Bertie Bassett

V – Bertie Bassett

Bertie Bassett is the iconic mascot of Liquorice Allsorts. Liquorice in sweetie form originated in Pontefract with the Pontefract Cake. There were many liquorice factories in Pontefract in the 1800s and 1900s. Today only two remain.

Bassett’s are historically based in Sheffield, not Pontefract. He was chosen as an instantly recognisable indicator of the region’s liquorice heritage.

A square shaped stone with the Roman numeral for 6 and an icon of a siege coin

VI – Siege coin

Pontefract Castle endured three sieges during the English Civil Wars. The third siege was in 1648. During this, the commanders had to come up with a way to still pay their soldiers while the castle was under siege.

Many typically diamond-shaped siege coins were minted here at Pontefract Castle as a result. They were made out of flattened silver tableware that was cut into shape. A diamond shape was much easier to cut than a traditional circular coin.

A square shaped stone with the Roman numeral for 7 and an icon of a ballot box

VII – First secret ballot

Pontefract made national political history in 1872. The first parliamentary election by secret ballot was held here on 15 August 1872.

It was part of a series of election changes that led to the system we have today.

VIII – Prince of Wales colliery

The Prince of Wales colliery was the main colliery in Pontefract. The Wakefield district has a strong and proud coal mining heritage.

The Prince of Wales colliery was known as the ‘Ponty Prince’. The mine was open from 1872 to 2002.

A square shaped stone with the Roman numeral for 9 and an icon of a telescope

IX - Rosse Observatory

The Rosse Observatory is based in Pontefract. It opened in 1969 and is still ran today by the West Yorkshire Astronomical Society.

According to famous astrologer Sir Patrick Moore WYAS was the first amateur astrological society in the world.

A square shaped stone with the Roman numeral for 10 and an icon of a crucifix

X - Historic religious sites

The crucifix symbol represents the many historic religious sites in and around Pontefract. These include St John’s Priory, St Richard’s Friary, All Saints Church, St Giles and St Thomas’ Chapel.

They also represent the chapels that used to be within Pontefract Castle, including the Saxon Chapel and St Clement’s Chapel.

XI - Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

The King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI) was formed in 1881. It has historic roots going back to 1755.

The regiment was originally based in Pontefract. They moved to Strensall, near York, in 1938.

A square shaped stone with the Roman numeral for 12 and the Tudor Rose symbol

XII - The Tudor Rose

The Tudor Rose symbolises the unification of the Houses of York and Lancaster. It ended decades of bitter and brutal fighting in the Wars of the Roses.

As part of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pontefract Castle belongs to the sovereign. It was visited by several monarchs, including Henry VIII and Catherine Howard. Catherine’s ‘affair’ with Thomas Culpepper was discovered on a visit to Pontefract Castle. It led to her execution.

140 years earlier in 1400, Richard II died at Pontefract Castle while being held prisoner here.