Known as the ‘Gateway to East Yorkshire’, Snaith is located 7 miles south of Selby, 6 miles west of Goole and less than 30 miles from the bright lights of Leeds. This growing market town has plenty to offer residents looking for a quiet community within easy reach of local countryside, with fast transport links making the commute to larger towns and cities a breeze.
The neighbouring villages of Barlow, Camblesforth, Carlton, Drax, Newland, Rawcliffe, East Cowick and West Cowick all provide a taste of country living while still being conveniently close to the many local facilities.
"The churchyard terrain in Snaith is particularly high – this is said to be caused by the vast quantity of bodies that are buried there!"
An ancient skeleton and some Roman coins hold the key to Snaith’s past, suggesting the town dates to Roman times. Known previously as Snaed and Esnelt, Snaith was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 and in around 1100, was given to the Archbishop of York by the King.
The town developed on the banks of the River Aire and by the 1600s large sections of Snaith and its properties were owned by the wealthy Nicholas Waller, who did a lot of good for the town by funding a school, a hospital and also a vicar!
Snaith was awarded a market Charter in 1223 and weekly markets were held for many centuries. Now the town proudly retains its market heritage, while offering the modern facilities demanded by today’s residents.
There’s a property for everyone in Snaith and its surroundings, and with prices below the English national average, at around £172,000, it’s no surprise it’s such a popular place to set up home. The majority of Snaith’s residents are working-age adults and families, who are enticed by its appealing selection of detached and semi-detached homes.
But other residents in the town are also well catered for, with Snaith offering properties ranging from bungalows and flats, to plots of land where you can build your own dream home.
Average Property Prices: £172,332
Average Rent: £700 Per Calendar Month
Population in Snaith and Cowick Parish: 3,579 approx
Data from Zoopla & Plumplot
Snaith and the villages to the south of Selby offer plenty of choice for schooling, with primary schools particularly well-represented. All schools in the area perform well, with most rated by Ofsted as good or outstanding. There is also a special school and a respected private school, increasing options for potential residents.
Pollington Balne Preschool - Outstanding
Turnbridge Day Nursery - Good
Carlton Playgroup - Good
Snaith Primary School - Outstanding
Pollington-Balne CofE Primary School - Outstanding
Cowick CofE Primary School - Good
Rawcliffe Primary School - Good
Barlow Primary School - Good
Carlton Primary School - Academy Conversion – Not Yet Rated
The Snaith School - Good
Holy Family Catholic High School - Academy Conversion - Not Yet Rated
Read School
Riverside Special School - Good
You can learn the fascinating process behind generating electricity on a visit to Drax Power Station. You’ll be transported around the station in a tour bus finding out about the industry and architecture of the plant. Drax also funds the onsite Skylark Centre and Nature Reserve, where you’re able to enjoy local wildlife.
Once a refuse tip, this site has changed beyond all recognition to become a haven for a wide range of wildlife. The 37 hectare site has both grasslands and woodland terrain, and while you’re exploring, if you’re lucky, you may see one of the resident green woodpeckers.
The imposing Snaith Priory Church, also known as St Laurence Church, is over 950 years old. It’s part of a network of 262 churches in Great Britain that are dedicated to St Laurence. It’s a beautiful Grade I listed building with guided tours available in the summer months.
For almost thirty years, the Old Mill Brewery has been creating all manner of real ales for local and national beer-lovers. A family-owned enterprise and led by chief-brewer Ryan Truswell, this brewery has strong credentials. You can take a tour of the brewery and see how it’s embracing traditional beer-production techniques. And of course, you will get to taste the beer before you leave!
West Cowick is home to the area’s best clay, game and air rifle shooting experience. The venue offers group experiences, and private lessons. There is also a well-appointed spa, where customers can relax and enjoy rejuvenating massages, treatments and therapies.
The stunning Carlton Towers Estate in Carlton is a hidden gem. Set in 250 acres, it is still home to Lord and Lady Gerald Fitzalan Howard, who welcome you to explore and enjoy their estate. This includes a vineyard, where you'll find the delightful 'Stables' tea room and a fantastic culinary school located in The Cooks Kitchen. You may even extend your enjoyment by staying overnight in one of the sumptuous bedrooms. Carlton Towers is also a major wedding venue offering truly unique, fairytale weddings in this elegant 17th century setting.
Reached in under half an hour from Snaith, the Yorkshire Wildlife Park is a great day out for adults and kids alike. The site is home to over 450 animals of 70 different species, many of which are endangered. This is a thrilling walk-through experience with areas dedicated to the animals of Africa, South America, the Himalayas and more.
This heart-warming spot in Cridling Stubbs is a not-for-profit sanctuary, where ill or badly treated donkeys can rest and recuperate. The sanctuary has rescued over 30 donkeys since opening in 2015, as well as 5 goats and 4 Dartmoor ponies. Visitors can enjoy fully guided tours and can support the work of the centre by ‘adopting’ a donkey.
Between them, Snaith and the villages south of Selby have plenty to offer when it comes to shopping. Snaith itself has Spar and Co-op convenience stores covering everyday grocery essentials. You’ll also find a pharmacy, a butcher, florist and a post office. Larger supermarkets can be found in Selby and Goole.
You’ll find an assortment of eateries in Snaith, including restaurants, cafes and takeaways. There’s an Indian restaurant, hybrid fish and chip shop and bistro, and a tearoom in the centre of the town. There’s also an Italian and a Chinese takeaway and most of the local pubs offer dining options.
As you may expect of Yorkshire, there are a pleasing number of pubs serving the residents of Snaith. All highly rated, you’ll find The Bell and Crown Inn, The Black Lion, The Plough Inn, Brewers Arms, Yorkshire Ales, and the town’s own brewery at Old Mill. They add a great sense of community to this welcoming town.
Nearby Goole has a cinema and theatre within its arts venue, The Junction. Here, you’ll discover regular am-dram productions, as well as cinema screenings and a programme of arts-based workshops. There’s also Open Air Film and Chill in Drax, an outdoor cinema playing a programme of films each summer. And in Selby you’ll find the Globe Community Cinema as well as a Theatre and Dance Academy.
Snaith has its own multi-purpose sports facility, at the Snaith and District Community Sports Hall, where you can play football, basketball and badminton, amongst others. There’s also The Training Field in Carlton where you can take part in outdoor bootcamp sessions.
Snaith has no golf club of its own, but the lovely woodland setting of Drax Golf Club and Clubhouse is only a couple of miles away. Open to members and visitors, this challenging course has 12 holes and supports 18-hole rounds.
When it comes to entertainment, there are plenty of indoor pursuits close to Snaith that will keep you busy. Selby is home to Selby Superbowl, a ten-pin bowling venue with pool, darts and an arcade.
There are several new developments being considered, or already underway, in and around Snaith. Plans have been submitted for developments at two Snaith sites, which would build 300 and 545 new homes respectively. A development of 43 homes in Snaith was recently given the go-ahead, which will increase the stock of 2, 3 and 4- bedroom homes.
In nearby Carlton, a 133 home development has recently been completed comprising 3 and 4 bedroom luxury properties. Rawcliffe Meadows is an exclusive development with only nine 2-3 bedroom properties set in the semirural village of Rawcliffe. Camblesforth also has a desirable development underway at its Willow Drive site.
"The Old Mill Brewery sits on the site of an old clog mill, which was once a big-hitter in the world of clog manufacturing."
Snaith is well-located for major roads, being only a couple of miles from the M62 which links Hull and Liverpool. There’s also a limited train service from Snaith’s railway station and several bus routes serve the town, linking it with larger towns and cities in the area. You can be at Leeds Bradford airport in less than an hour, or Manchester in around an hour and a half.
"The name Snaith originates from the Scandinavian word sneith, which translates to ‘piece of land cut off’."
The journey to Leeds takes 56 minutes but the service is limited. London Kings Cross can be reached in 2 hours from the nearest major connecting station at Doncaster.
Snaith is conveniently close to the M62, meaning you can get to Leeds in under 40 minutes. The A1041 links Snaith to Selby in under 15 mins. The M18 (which becomes the M1) is also close by, taking you straight to the centre of London in 3.5 hours.
Leeds/Bradford Airport is the closest - a distance of 37 miles or an hour by road. Manchester is 78 miles and 1 hour 20 minutes while London Luton is 157 miles and 2 hours 38 minutes.
There are bus services connecting Snaith and the villages with the wider local area including services to Goole and Selby.
JP Harll in association with
