Around Ackworth:
Ackworth has some lovely nooks and crannies and a wealth of places to
visit in the surrounding area. Here's just a few to get you started. Let us know
about your favourite walk or beauty spot and we'll include it. Photos welcome!
LOCAL LANDMARKS
ACKWORTH SCHOOL
Founded as a boarding school for Quaker children in
1779, Ackworth School is an important feature of the village. The Cupola, with
clock and weathervane, is a familiar landmark, but the view above lets you see
this beautiful Georgian building from a rarely seen perspective.
The school estate runs to 200 acres, including the beautiful
rolling meadows which oh so thankfully keep this corner of Ackworth a green and
pleasant one.
Whilst maintaining the traditional Quaker ethos of tranquillity, the school has
an excellent progressive
IT department
which is well worth checking out for their chronicles of local history. The
main school website
provides a virtual tour. Photo courtesy Ackworth School.
TOWNS and CITIES
Pontefract
Four miles away is the historic market town of Pontefract, perhaps best
known for it's Castle, Liquorice and Racecourse. With a covered market hall, and
a good selection of shops, outdoor markets are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Half day closing is officially Thursday but most shops stay open. Other
amenities include a large well stocked library, a museum, swimming baths and a
large hospital complex with maternity and A&E facilities. Numerous public
houses! Close to exit 32 of
the M62, Pontefract Racecourse is set in a large park complete with boating and
fishing lake. The nearby shopping outlet of Freeport with Cinema and sports
facilities at Xscape attract numerous visitors.
More
about Pontefract on the excellent local website
Pontefractus.
MAP
Pontefract Castle
 The
site of the murder of King Richard II, the castle is now in ruins. Aided by
locals, who were allegedly not too happy at the constant battles, Cromwell's
army ultimately destroyed this Royalist stronghold in 1644.
Pictured here in the 17th Century, few of the external features survive
but it still holds a magical air of timelessness. Well worth a visit.
Wakefield
The "Merrie City" of Wakefield lies 9 miles from Ackworth
in The Rhubarb Triangle and boasts a cathedral in the pedestrianised town
centre, with good shopping facilities in The Ridings Centre and around the town.
The city has produced some famous musicians - including the iconic Bill Nelson
of Be Bop Deluxe fame, more recently The Cribs. And, Loosely speaking....Jane McDonald.
A thriving night life centres around the pubs and clubs on the Westgate Run,
with live music alive and well in the more peripheral venues. Clarence Park Free
Music Festival, a mini Glastonbury, is staged in Thornes Park each summer.
MAP
COUNTRYSIDE
Nostell Priory
Between Ackworth and Wakefield
lies Nostell Priory, a Stately Home built on the site of a 12th Century Priory.
Situated in beautiful parkland, the estate is open to the public, with
lakeside walks and paid tours of the house, which is home to a large collection
of Chippendale furniture. Plenty of lovely walks around the parkland without
having to pay! Pictured: Lakeside view at Nostell. Photo by Scene
Online. MAP
The Heronry
Coming from Ackworth, if you take the road to the left opposite the
Priory, you will eventually come to THE HERONRY at Wintersett, a well run nature
reserve and bird sanctuary, with swans, herons, geese and an abundance of
wildlife. A walk round the large lake can take a good hour, but well worth the
effort. There is good parking and a cafe and toilets on site. Returning to
Ackworth, you could do worse than to call in at The Anglers Retreat, a real gem
of an olde worlde pub, totally uncommercialised. Dogs, goats and horses welcome!
MAP
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