Pontefract Museum — Attraction in Wakefield

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!...

What a lovely, friendly place. It is completely free so no need to book tickets. The ladies on the desk we're so helpful and kind. The museum itself is very informative about the local area and interactive. There are activity sheets, dress up clothes and craft areas. It is only small but I was there with my 8 and 5 year old grandchildren for nearly 2 hours and they really enjoyed it and want to go back when they're with me next time. The building itself is a beautiful art nouveau design. An era I love. The only reason I gave it 4 and not 5 stars is because you can't spend longer there. I would say if you're in the area it's well worth a visit. If you combine it with a visit to Pontefract castle, and maybe Pontefract race course and park, you can easily make a day of it. Check out youtubes Yorkshire to Portugal visit to Pontefract and see...

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...