The minster and market town of Howden is just outside Selby in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
With its notable historic buildings, it’s an attractive place to make your home, and within easy reach of surrounding towns and cities.
For those who are looking for a quieter, more rural pace of life, the smaller villages to the south of Selby are a perfect choice.
Wressle, Breighton, Newsholme, Cliffe and Hemingbrough all have something unique to offer, from welcoming communities to history and heritage.
"Howden was known in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries as a centre for market gardening and grapes and later tomatoes s were produced in large quantities."
Howden’s history dates back to the time of King Edgar, who gave the local Howden Manor to his wife in 959AD.
Work on Howden Minster began in the 13th century. Remains of this impressive building still stand today and form a focal part of the town.
During the 1800s, Howden became famous across Europe for its huge horse fair which attracted horse dealers from far and wide. When the railway arrived in 1840, the town grew, however when a port was built at Goole, it became a quieter location. Today, it offers a peaceful way of life.
“In 2005, Howden was named in The Times newspaper’s top twenty places to live in the UK.”
Whether you’re looking for a large family home or a small apartment for young professionals, Howden and the small villages to the south of Selby are sure to offer the perfect place for you to make your home.
From new-builds to period properties, and from handsome detached homes to terraces and semi’s this part of East Yorkshire offers something for everyone.
Average Property Prices in Past 12 Months: £256,190
Percentage Change in Past 12 Months: +7.04%
Average Price Change in Past 12 Months: +£16,838
Average Rent: £538 Per Calendar Month Population: 4,142 approx
Data from Zoopla & Plumplot
Howden and the villages to the South of Selby are within the catchment area of some very popular primary and secondary schools which have been rated as good or outstanding by Ofsted. There is also a popular independent school nearby.
Barmby on the Marsh Primary School – Good
Cliffe Voluntary Controlled Primary School – Good
Howden C of E Infant School – Good
Eastrington Primary School – Good
Howden School – Good
Special Schools Riverside Special School - Good
Independent Schools Read School - Good
Howden Minster is one of the biggest churches in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The more modern church is attached to the ruins of the original building which dates to the 13th century. Visitors can admire the arched canopies and the traceries windows, ruined chancel and chapter house.
A ruined palace fortress which was built for Thomas Percy in the 1390s, Wressle Castle is privately owned and is open to the public only on designated days. The castle originally consisted of four ranges built around a central courtyard with a tower at each corner and has an incredible history.
This family owned and run attraction provides a unique experience that can be enjoyed by all. Choose a shooting experience or tuition or visit the popular coffee shop and bistro, browse the country wear shop and enjoy a beautiful spa in wonderful surroundings.
A perfect day out for the keen gardener and situated close to the village of Howden, this garden centre offers a huge plant area, beautiful gift department and the popular Oak Tree Restaurant.
Goole is the most inland port town in the UK and it has a fascinating history. This museum is the perfect place to discover its heritage. The displays here reveal insights into the industrial heritage of the town and its people. Here you can see models of boats, paintings of ships and see artefacts from the past.
If you’re an aviation fan, you’re sure to love visiting the Real Aeroplane Museum at Breighton Airfield. Here, there are collections spanning the history of the British aviation industry. See 40 fascinating old aircraft and collections of information that tell the story of past people working in this industry.
Home to more than sixty historic trolleybuses, many remain in full working order and visitors may ride them on open days. It's the perfect place to learn about the social history of Britain between the 1940s and 1960s. There are also other historic vehicles displayed here.
If you’re looking for a quiet place to take a stroll, Howden Marsh is ideal. Located on the outskirts of the town, this green space is peaceful and tranquil. It features small islands and a lake which is a habitat for wildlife and birds.
Visitors can discover a trail of 24 pavement plaques commemorating the area’s connection with the R100 airship and those who built it. The trail follows the length of Howden’s Market Place and into the Ashes Park to finish beyond the Bishop’s Manor. Along the way, visitors can learn about the airship’s key features, its history and dimensions.
A small market takes place each Friday at Howden Shire Hall. Here you can browse the stalls and purchase plants, bakery produce, crafts, furniture, artisan products, crafts and fresh fish.
Howden is home to its own market which regularly features bakery produce, plants, furniture, crafts, fish and artisan products. In the town itself, there are many independent shops selling a wide variety of items from clothing to groceries in beautiful Georgian buildings. Nearby Hemingbrough also offers some lovely organic food outlets where you can buy fresh produce.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing family meal, a romantic night out for two or a quick snack during the day while shopping, there’s no shortage of places around Howden to eat and drink. There are lots of excellent pubs in this area offering everything from bar meals to fine dining, while cuisines from many nationalities are represented.
Although the nearest multiplex cinema for the latest blockbusters is in York, Howden does offer the opportunity to see films at a pop up cinema in its Shire Hall.
Howden’s Shire Hall acts as a theatre venue for live music, tribute acts and touring theatrical performances.
There is currently no gym in Howden itself, but there are options within a short travelling distance, with gyms in Goole, and Selby.
The Boothferry Golf Club is located just three miles outside Howden and is one of Yorkshire’s most enjoyable meadowland courses.
The nearby leisure centre in Selby offers many leisure facilities to keep the whole family entertained, including ten pin bowling and a climbing wall. Howden’s Shire Hall is also sometimes home to a roller rink which hosts an 80’s style roller disco!
“Renovations of Howden Minster were completed in 1932 and its bells were set to chime every 15 minutes. This custom still continues today.”
Howden and the villages to the South of Selby have seen a lot of interest from housing developers. This has resulted in a host of newbuild projects springing up around the area. Some of the most exciting include the Imperial Gardens development which consists of 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom properties in a range of styles to suit the needs of families.
Another popular new development in the area with families requiring a larger house in which to live is the Kensington Vale development. This project also includes a number of stylish 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom houses.
“The population of the East Riding of Yorkshire has increased year on year, and by 2041 it is expected to increase to around 348,000.”
Howden is especially well-connected by road and rail to the rest of Yorkshire, with its own train station and regular bus services to the surrounding villages such as Wressle, Breighton, Newsholme, Cliffe and Hemingbrough.
Wressle has a train station with occasional services. Doncaster Sheffield Airport is also within easy reach.
Howden lies close to the M62 and the M18 motorways, near to Goole which lies at the opposite side of the River Ouse.
The journey to York from Howden train station takes just 41 minutes. Take the train to Leeds and the journey time is 38 minutes and Howden to Huddersfield is 54 minutes.
From Howden, it’s easy to access the M62 motorway which links easily to the rest of the UK. The M18 is also accessible running from Rotherham to Goole.
The nearest airport is Doncaster Sheffield Airport which can be reached in around 30 minutes by road. Leeds Bradford Airport is around 55 minutes by road.
There are many bus services connecting Howden and the villages to the south of Selby with the wider local area including the X5 and 55 services to Hull and Goole.
JP Harll in association with


