Located just 14 miles outside York, Selby is a lovely market town in North Yorkshire on the banks of the River Ouse. It’s the perfect place to live if you’re a history buff since the town has an illustrious heritage dating back to the Vikings. At one time, Selby was a mining settlement, but today, it’s a busy suburb that’s popular with people moving out of neighbouring cities like Hull, Doncaster, Leeds and York looking for a quieter pace of life. Read our local area guide to Selby and the surrounding area to discover whether it’s right for you.
Selby’s origins date back to a Viking settlement which was established on the River Ouse’s banks. It is believed that the original settlement here was called Seletun (meaning a sallow tree settlement), but the name Selby first appeared in writing in around 1030 (spelled as Seleby).
The town of Selby is the traditional birthplace of King Henry I, fourth son of William the Conqueror.
Historians have a lot to discover in Selby. The town is steeped in heritage, with Cawood Castle, the site of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey’s arrest, on the doorstep, together with the village of Towton where the bloodiest battle of the Wars of the Roses took place in 1461.
Selby and its immediate surrounding areas boast a wealth of property types for buyers and renters to choose from.
The villages of Barlby and Osgodby join onto Selby itself, although they are actually two separate villages with their own identities. Barlby lies to the north on one side of the A19 and Osgodby on the other side. Brayton village merges with Selby to the south.
Whether you are looking for a traditional or modern, detached or semi –detached family house, a terraced property or an apartment you will be spoiled for choice in Selby and its beautiful surrounding villages.
Average Property Prices in Past 12 months £254k
Percentage Change in Past 12 months +9%
Average Price Change in Past 12 months +£20.2k
Average Rent £551 Per Calendar Month
Population 89,106 (Selby District)
Data from Zoopla, ONS & Plumplot
Selby, Barlby and Brayton have some excellent local primary and secondary schools. There is also a well-respected local private school with boarding facilities. Although there is currently no special school in Selby, the construction of one has been approved with a prospective opening date of 2022.
Barlby Bridge Community Primary School – Good
Barlby Community Primary School – Good
Barwic Parade Community Primary School – Good
Brayton Primary School Selby Abbey C of E Primary School – Good
Selby Community Primary School – Good
Brayton Academy - Outstanding Barlby High School – Good
Selby High School Specialist School For The Arts & Sciences – Good
Independent Schools Read School - Good
Selby Abbey is at the heart of this Yorkshire market town. The Grade I listed building is a parish church which has served its community for almost a millennium. Its history is diverse and rich, and is waiting to be explored by its visitors. Take an organised tour to get deeper insights into this building’s past.
Barlow Common Nature Reserve is the perfect place to get back to nature. Offering tranquillity and peace, this green space is close to the town but feels a world away. A host of wildlife can be seen here including kites, buzzards, cuckoos and rabbits. It’s also an ideal place for a picnic by the lake.
This scenic spot is popular with locals and visitors alike. The circular walk takes around one hour and is suitable for walkers, joggers and even those with mobility scooters. Those who are feeling more energetic can walk the hill to the reservoir.
This 5 acre park is a popular place for the town’s residents to kick back and relax. During the summer, there are often performances on the bandstand from brass bands. There is also a pavilion which is open during the summer season with a range of attractive blooms. Children will enjoy the mini golf and the play area.
This nature reserve is in a unique ecological setting. Here, visitors can see more than a hundred different wildlife species in their natural habitat. They can also learn about conservation and nature.
The power station at Drax offers free tours throughout the year. A visit here is free and covers the whole site. The visitor centre gives you all the information you need, and even children enjoy a visit to this sustainable plant.
Fans of puzzles are sure to enjoy a visit to the Escapologist in Selby. These escape rooms offer fun to all the family. There are several rooms to choose from, all with a different theme. Visitors can solve problems within a set period of time to try to escape the room.
Selby Cricket Club is a local village club with both a senior and junior section. Established in 1867, the club has been open for more than 150 years and are always looking for new members!
Indoor ten pin bowling is a weatherproof way to entertain the family! Alongside bowling there are pool tables, a darts board and arcade! There's also a Lazer Zone combat tagging arena and a Pro-Am Go Karting track on the same site.
Formed in 1976, the club is open to all archers, with Junior and Disabled sections and 24 hour access to dedicated outdoor 100 yard and indoor 20 yard ranges. New members are very welcome with a beginners course available.
A local tennis club with players of various abilities. Everyone is welcome. Club evenings are every Monday and Friday at 5pm.
Formed in 1919, Selby Town Football Club is located in the heart of the town. Now managed by former York City player, Christian Fox, Selby Town FC provide quality, affordable football that is inclusive to everyone leaving no-one behind.
The history of Selby Rugby Club goes back to 1933 and the 2nd World War the Club ran a successful side, providing games for many servicemen. Selby RUFC has four senior teams with colts, junior, mini and micros at all ages and girls under 13s, 15s and 18s teams and a developing women's team.
Shopping Once a month, the local farmer’s market is another popular attraction. Selby is home to the Market Cross Shopping Centre which is the location for many big name brands including Home Bargains, Holland & Barrett and the Works.
The High Street also has many familiar stores while the market which is held on a Monday is a traditional place to buy the essentials.
Once a month, the local farmer’s market is another popular attraction.
There is no shortage of places to eat and drink in Selby. There are lots of cafes and coffee shops, while there are also a number of independent restaurants including Sapori, Capri and The Olive Branch, serving up a range of cuisines from around the world. If you’re keen to enjoy a tipple, there are plenty of attractive local pubs in and around Selby.
The Globe cinema operates from the town hall. It’s a popular choice among the town’s residents, although for the most up-to-date blockbusters, heading to York is the best bet.
An award winning arts centre, Selby Town Hall hosts world class performances including music, comedy and theatre. Located at the end of Selby's main street, the intimate venue has a seating capacity of up to 150.
Selby offers several gyms to satisfy the needs of fitness fanatics. As well as the local leisure centre, there is Serendipity Fitness & Health, a ladies only gym, Everlast Fitness and DW Fitness First to choose from.
Selby Golf Club was founded back in 1907. This par 71 course is build on well-drained, sand-based land and this ensures playability all through the year. Members and visitors alike are welcomed to enjoy the facilities including the driving range and putting green.
Selby’s bowling club which is located in Baffam Lane, Brayton offers a host of options including indoor and outdoor bowls, three full sized snooker tables, live entertainment, and food including daily specials and a Sunday Carvery.
“At one time, Selby had a large shipbuilding industry. It was a key port bringing trade from Leeds on the Selby Canal.”
The area around Selby has a number of exciting new construction projects under development to provide new build homes to meet local demand.
The Manor Court development in Barlby is ideal for growing families with its beautiful 3 and 4 bedroom detached houses with all modern facilities, as is the brand new Staynor Link development with its excellent public transport links and convenient location.
Meanwhile, the Sherwood Croft development in Selby offers perfect homes for first time buyers with 2, 3, 4 or 5 bedrooms, some of which are available under the Help to Buy scheme.
“News was recently released of the Heronby masterplan – a plan to develop a brand new community of 4000 new homes on a 200 hectare site near Selby.”
Selby is a local transport hub with a railway and bus station both of which runs services around the area and further afield to Manchester and London.
There are also excellent road links to the A19 and A63 for drivers, and the nearest airport is just 29 miles away.
Selby lies close to the A19 and the A63 providing good road links for onward travel north and southbound.
The journey to York from Selby train station takes just 30 minutes. Take the train to Leeds and the journey time is also on average 30 minutes and Selby to Huddersfield is 45 minutes.
The journey to York from Selby train station takes just 30 minutes. Take the train to Leeds and the journey time is also on average 30 minutes and Selby to Huddersfield is 45 minutes.
From Selby, it’s easy to access the A19 and the A63 road links which provide good onward travel both north and southbound.
The nearest airport is Leeds Bradford Airport which can be reached in around 60 minutes by road.
There are many bus services connecting Selby to nearby towns, villages and cities. These include the 164 service to Leeds, the 405 to Doncaster, the 415 to York and the 476 to Pontefract.
JP Harll in association with
