A fascinating mix of bustling market towns and beguiling villages, with medieval history, stunning architecture and beautiful countryside.
Selby punches above its weight when it comes to English market towns. Overflowing with heritage and culture, the jewel in the District’s crown is the stunning Selby Abbey, founded under William the Conqueror by Royal Charter. Surrounding historical streets and heritage trails reveal stories of bygone eras, complemented by independent shops and eateries, and a traditional weekly market, with history spanning over 700 years.
Renowned for its brewing history, nearby Tadcaster is a delightful market town surrounded by beautiful North Yorkshire countryside. Walk along the river or head to Towton Battlefield, site of the Battle of Towton, considered to be one of the bloodiest battles ever fought on English soil. With a fantastic array of cosy pubs and three historic breweries, including the oldest in Yorkshire, Tadcaster is ideal for a relaxing afternoon. You may even see the shire horses as they make their local beer deliveries around town!
The District is rich with woodland, wildlife and the great outdoors. Walkers and cyclists will love the scenery around Selby, with flat arable land and quiet country roads that pass though charming villages. The Trans Pennine Trail cycleway is popular, with its direct path into the heart of York. Skipwith Common, one of the last low-lying heathland areas in the north of England, is home to waymarked trails, rare sheep, ponies and longhorn cattle. Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens features flowers and scents of a quintessentially English garden, with its wildflower meadow and orchard, designed to be as wildlife friendly as possible.
