Pontefract, in West Yorkshire, had a population of around 30,900 at the 2021 census — and it's one of the rare towns on this list with a genuine, direct connection to the sweets trade.
A castle town that invented its own sweet
Pontefract Castle was one of the most formidable fortresses in medieval England, and it was here that the deposed King Richard II is traditionally held to have died in 1400. But the town's most distinctive legacy isn't the castle itself — it's what grew in its shadow. Liquorice root was cultivated in the soil around Pontefract from at least the 16th or 17th century, first used medicinally by local apothecaries before confectioners began pressing it into small, round sweets stamped with an image of the castle. Those sweets became known as Pontefract cakes, or Pomfret cakes, and the town's name has been tied to liquorice ever since, with local liquorice festivals still marking the connection today.
What that history doesn't leave behind
Even with liquorice in its history, Pontefract's traditional confectioners have long since consolidated or closed, and the town doesn't have a shop set up to offer the full modern range — bulk bags, vegan lines or halal-friendly sweets — that shoppers now expect.
Why Pontefract shoppers order online anyway
For anything beyond a bag of liquorice from a market stall, ordering online is simply the more complete option — no trip into Wakefield or Leeds required.
25,000+ customers, and counting
We've served over 25,000 customers UK-wide, Pontefract included, with most orders dispatched within 1-2 business days. The range covers pick 'n' mix by the bag and tub, bulk bags from 1kg to 3kg, trade cases for events and businesses, vegan and halal-friendly sweets, retro favourites, and full chocolate ranges from the major brands.
Frequently asked questions
Do you deliver sweets to Pontefract?
Yes — UK-wide, including Pontefract, West Yorkshire, with most orders dispatched in 1-2 business days.
What are Pontefract cakes?
Small round liquorice sweets originally stamped with the castle's image, made from liquorice grown locally since at least the 1600s.
Can I buy bulk or wholesale sweets in Pontefract?
Yes — we deliver bulk bags, multipacks and trade cases, including liquorice sweets, direct to Pontefract addresses.
Browse Pick 'n' Mix and Bulk Bags.