Pontefract Cakes History
The History of Pontefract Cakes
From Dominican monks and Pontefract's sandy soil to the iconic stamped liquorice disc adored across Britain.
Origins in 16th-century Yorkshire
The story of Pontefract Cakes begins in the 16th century with Dominican monks at the Priory of St Oswald in Pontefract, Yorkshire. They are believed to be the first to cultivate liquorice root commercially in England, planting Glycyrrhiza glabra in the rich, sandy soil around the town.
The monks used the root to make medicinal syrups and lozenges, but they also discovered that the extracted liquorice paste could be rolled flat, cut into small discs and dried — creating what we now recognise as the first Pontefract Cakes. These early discs were far denser and more medicinal than the soft sweets we enjoy today, but the shape and the place were already set.
Why Pontefract? The unique soil
Pontefract sits on a band of deep, sandy loam that drains exceptionally well. This was perfect for liquorice, a plant with a long taproot that hates sitting in water. The soil allowed the roots to grow deep and thick, producing a high yield of the sweet, aromatic extract used to make the original Pontefract Cakes.
By the 18th century, fields of liquorice surrounded the town. Local farmers and apothecaries began to refine the process, and Pontefract became the unofficial capital of British liquorice. The town was so closely associated with the crop that the phrase "as common as Pontefract cakes" entered popular use.
The castle stamp and the Pontefract name
The most recognisable feature of a traditional Pontefract Cake is the stamp on its top: a small castle and a horseshoe. The castle represents Pontefract Castle, once one of the strongest fortresses in northern England. The horseshoe is a local good-luck symbol, reputedly linked to a tradition that finding a horseshoe in Pontefract brought fortune.
Originally, these motifs were pressed into the liquorice paste by hand using carved wooden or brass stamps. Each maker had their own design, and the stamp was both a mark of authenticity and a sign of pride. Today, the castle and horseshoe remain the defining mark of the original Pontefract Cake.
The Victorian boom
By the 1800s, Pontefract Cakes were being produced on an industrial scale. Families like Wilkinson's, Dunhill's and Bassett's built factories in the town, turning liquorice into one of Yorkshire's most important industries. The sweets were packed into tins, shipped across the British Empire and sold in pharmacies and sweet shops as both a treat and a digestive aid.
The last commercial liquorice crop in Pontefract was harvested in 1968, but the town's confectioners continued making the famous cakes using imported liquorice root. The name and the tradition survived, even as the fields disappeared.
Pontefract Cakes today
Modern Pontefract Cakes are still small, round, black liquorice discs — usually about 25mm across — with a deep, slightly bitter-sweet flavour and that characteristic chewy texture. They are made by pressing a cooked liquorice paste into moulds or cutting it from sheets, then stamping the surface with the traditional castle design.
At Black Liquorice Company, we sell classic Pontefract Cakes, a vintage 180g bag and a heritage box that celebrates the history of the sweet. Every order is hand-packed in the UK, and we offer free UK delivery on orders over £25.
Frequently asked questions
What is the history of Pontefract Cakes?
Pontefract Cakes date back to the 16th century, when Dominican monks in Pontefract, Yorkshire, began cultivating liquorice root and pressing it into small, round discs. The town's sandy soil was perfect for growing Glycyrrhiza glabra, and by the 1700s Pontefract had become the centre of British liquorice production.
Why are they called Pontefract Cakes?
They are named after Pontefract in Yorkshire, the town where they were first produced. The word 'cake' refers to the small, flat disc shape, not to cake as a baked good. Some people also call them Pomfret cakes after the old pronunciation of Pontefract.
What is the stamp on a Pontefract Cake?
Traditional Pontefract Cakes are stamped with a castle and horseshoe motif. The castle represents Pontefract Castle, while the horseshoe is a nod to local folklore and the town's long history. Originally the stamps were carved from wood and pressed into the liquorice paste by hand.
Where can I buy original Pontefract Cakes?
Original Pontefract Cakes are widely available from specialist liquorice shops and British confectioners. Black Liquorice Company sells traditional Pontefract Cakes, vintage-style 180g bags and heritage gift boxes, all hand-packed in the UK with free delivery over £25.
Want to explore more British liquorice? Browse our full collection of classics, Nordic imports and gift boxes — Buy 5, Get 6 free.
Shop All Liquorice