Photography collection

The rustic bridge crossing the kitchen ovens in about 1930-40

Castle entrance around 1960

The keep from the sally port [behind the 'rustic' fence] c. 1900-20

The stonework at the base of the Royal Apartments, looking north towards the Victorian steps leading from the bailey to the upper level [photo 1950-1960]

Victorian rockery built up below the keep c. 1945-55

Aerial photograph looking north east

Aerial photograph looking east

Aerial photograph looking south

Aerial photograph looking north east

Ron Rocket working on one of the ovens in the kitchen during the conservation programme of 1984-5

The victorian entrance of the castle site taken in the 1960s after the railings were removed for the Second World War effort. [Replacement railings were put back in 1984-5]

The keep seen from the sally port looking south. The victorian feature outside the sally port is seen at its most substantial on this postcard. It is impossible to separate out the park feature from any surviving archaeology because the site has never been fully dug

Looking south-west from between the Constable Tower and the Vetrans Shelter. For generations custodians living at the castle were allowed to use the lower area just outside the port-cullis as their private garden. This photo was taken in 1984 to record the park and garden features which were removed by the consolidation scheme of 1984-5

$Pontefract Castle, the underground magazine, 1950-1960. The stone niches are highlighted by candles [Click here to open image in popup]$

Pontefract Castle, the underground magazine, 1950-1960. The stone niches are highlighted by candles

A winter view looking south along the base of the Royal Apartments. The rustic thatched shelter for visitors is still visible on the top. It was built to match the barn by using thin branches in a chevron design

Looking north-west on the terrace on the keep and the kitchen. The photo was taken in 1971 and shows the park features which were removed by the consolidation scheme of 1994-5

$Artist's reconstruction of the castle, All Saints and Saint Johns Priory by Alan Bracken [1989]. Most pictures of the castle show it from Baghill rocks looking north. The artist was persuaded that there was enough knowledge to attempt the only view of the 3 buildings lookind west. John Whitehead acted as historical advisor. This photo shows a nearly complete painting. The keep mound was going to be increased. The settlement was going to be given more houses and the proportion of tile to lead was going to be changed on the roof of Saint John's. Suddenly and tragically Alan Bracken died before these last touches could be changed. The painting remains an invaluable insight into the grandeur and importance of Pontefract seen from the east. Photograph courtesy of the Pontefract and Castleford Express. [Click here to open image in popup]$

Artist's reconstruction of the castle, All Saints and Saint Johns Priory by Alan Bracken [1989]. Most pictures of the castle show it from Baghill rocks looking north. The artist was persuaded that there was enough knowledge to attempt the only view of the 3 buildings lookind west. John Whitehead acted as historical advisor. This photo shows a nearly complete painting. The keep mound was going to be increased. The settlement was going to be given more houses and the proportion of tile to lead was going to be changed on the roof of Saint John's. Suddenly and tragically Alan Bracken died before these last touches could be changed. The painting remains an invaluable insight into the grandeur and importance of Pontefract seen from the east. Photograph courtesy of the Pontefract and Castleford Express.

Looking south east from the top of the keep, over the Curtain Wall and the thatched predecessor to the 'Veteran's Shelter'. The visitor [a Carter from the Knottingley brewery] is wearing a dress which places the photo in the 1890s. Is that a croquet set on the lawn?

Looking south on the terrace towards the keep which is completely masked by a mature tree and many shrubs. This view illustrates why the consolidation programme of 1984-5 also included the removal of most of the Victorian park features which were overgrown and prevented visitors from seeing much of the exposed archaeology. The photo was taken to record the change

Looking west along the inside of the kitchens towards the back of the ovens. This photo was taken to record the park features which were removed during the consolidation programme of 1984-5

Looking south along the base of the royal apartments. This photo was taken to record the trees and shrubberies which were removed during the consolidation programme of 1984-5

$The Occupational Therapy Unit at Pontefract General Infirmary. This press photograph shows Terry Brooks, an occupational therapy helper, and Fred Starks, a technical instructor, putting the finishing touches to a model village made by patients. Photograph courtesy of the Pontefract and Castleford Express. [Click here to open image in popup]$

The Occupational Therapy Unit at Pontefract General Infirmary. This press photograph shows Terry Brooks, an occupational therapy helper, and Fred Starks, a technical instructor, putting the finishing touches to a model village made by patients. Photograph courtesy of the Pontefract and Castleford Express.

Looking north towards the kitchens with the end of the terrace on the left. The Victorian steps have now been replaced by a grass slope

Looking north towards the kitchens with the end of the terrace on the left. The Victorian steps have now been replaced by a grass slope. The ornate stone by the top of the steps is probably the top of a tudor chimney stack which may or may not have come from the castle. [This stone is now in the museums' collections]