JP Harll in association with
To the north west of Selby, and just half an hour east of Leeds, are a network of villages set in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside. All well located for the A1(M) and several railway stations that give access to Leeds, York, Sheffield and London, they offer a charming, picturesque and convenient place to live.
The largest area here is the town of Tadcaster with its history of brewing, but all the villages, which include Ulleskelf, Ryther, Cawood, Kelfield, Stillingfleet and Wistow, have a quaint charm and a welcoming atmosphere in abundance.
"Cawood Castle, of which only the gatehouse remains, is where Henry VIII had his chief advisor Cardinal Wosley arrested for High Treason."
There is much history to be found among the villages here with Tadcaster’s history being particularly rich. A Roman settlement called Calcaria important for its river crossing en-route to York and its supply of limestone, Tadcaster’s name is thought to mean ‘Tata’s Roman fort’. King Harold assembled his army nearby before the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, and in the 11th century, landowner William de Percy built a castle here, the remains of which can still be seen.
Locally, near the village of Towton, the Battle of Towton was fought on 29 March 1461 during the English Wars of the Roses. It was "probably the largest and bloodiest battle ever fought on English soil" with a death toll said to number 28,000. Then, in 1642, another battle, the Civil War’s Battle of Tadcaster, took place.
A market town mentioned in the Domesday Book, the limestone geology around the town became important for another reason - brewing. There are records of breweries here in 1341, the natural springs of the area being ideal as they’ve passed through limestone. There are still three breweries in the town today - Sam Smith’s, John Smith’s and The Tower Brewery (Coors).
A picturesque village just three miles north of Selby (and its train station) and 40 minutes from both Leeds and York, Wistow has a population of around 1,500. It is a popular place to live for young professionals and families, with an average house price of £398,860. Properties range from large, detached houses with land on the edge of the village to bungalows, character homes, cottages, and semi-detached modern homes closer to the centre.
As a small settlement, Wistow’s original name Wykestow was named by the Vikings who overran the area in 800-900 BCE. As time passed and the village began to grow, thanks to money invested in the area by the church in York, the name was shortened to Wistow. A lively community, Wistow has a popular pub, the Black Swan that serves food and drink, and a classic fish and chip shop takeaway. The village primary school is rated ‘good’ by Ofsted and the local secondary schools perform well too.
Once a market town, now a historic village, Cawood is just 10 miles south of York set on the River Ouse. In a beautiful country setting, Cawood is about 30 minutes by road from York and 45 minutes from Leeds, and has a population of around 1,549. It is a popular place to live for professionals and families, with an average house price of £310,059. Properties range from cosy two bed terraces up to five bed detached farmhouses, plus plenty of modern detached and semi-detached houses built throughout the 20th century.
Cawood has a rich history. At its heart are the remains of Cawood Castle, once a residence of the Archbishops of York. As the influence of the Church waned, Cawood thrived thanks to it being a crossing point on the River Wharfe and Ouse on the route to York (it’s said that famous scoundrel Dick Turpin forded the river here after he escaped from York) and it’s lively market. Today it is a peaceful place with a post office and general store, hairdressers, a lovely church and three pubs, serving food and excellent pints. The large primary school is rated ‘good’ by Ofsted.
A lovely little market town, Tadcaster is a well-connected and friendly place to live. It has a wide range of architectural and property styles that will appeal to commuters, growing families and retirees alike.
Close to the town centre are older properties on leafy streets, including lovely stone Victorian terraces, that are spacious and attractive, while developments of stylish modern homes can be found over the river.
Both areas have detached and semidetached properties with drives and gardens, while there are also bungalows and flats available throughout the town. Houses on the edge of town have views over the surrounding countryside where you can find large detached properties at slightly higher prices.
Average Property Prices: £335,438
Average Rent: £873 Per Calendar Month
Population of Tadcaster: 6,003 approx
Data from Zoopla & Plumplot
Parents in Tadcaster and the surrounding villages can rest assured that their children will receive an excellent education here. There are several Ofsted-rated ‘good’ primary schools in the area, as well as a range of secondary schools that perform well.
Wharfe Bridge Day Nursery, Tadcaster - good
Maisy Moo’s Day Nursery, Wistow - good
Riverside Nursery, Tadcaster - good
Appleton Roebuck Preschool - good
Smart Start Wistow Community PreSchool - good
Rainbow Nursery - good
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School - good
Tadcaster Primary Academy - good
Cawood Church of England Primary School - good
Wistow Parochial Church of England Primary School - good
Appleton Roebuck Primary School - outstanding
Tadcaster Grammar School - good
Sherburn High School - good
Brayton Academy - outstanding
Selby High School - good
Barlby High School - good
This lovely, small wildlife park is nestled in the tranquil woodlands of Askham Bryan College’s arboretum. Home to an eclectic range of wildlife, from monkeys to meerkats and fish to frogs, the beautiful setting also has gardens to explore and a play area for children. There is also the option to do an animal experience, working with a range of animals that are residents at the park.
A family garden planted over 40 years ago, Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens is an oasis of calm. With a pond, wildflower meadow and herbaceous border, it is a delightful place to explore and it is all managed organically and in a way that encourages wildlife. There are even wildlife experts that can give you tips on how to encourage wildlife in your own garden. There is also a tearoom serving tea and cake and a plant nursery with over 600 varieties of plants for sale.
One of England’s great monastic churches, Selby Abbey was founded in 1069 as the first monastery in the north of England to be built after the Norman conquest. A mix of Norman, Gothic and Victorian styles, the abbey’s nave and chancel are considered some of England’s finest examples of 12th and 14th century architecture. Still serving as a parish church today, it is also one of the few surviving medieval churches in the country and one of the largest. There is a coffee shop and gift shop on site and guided tours are also offered.
One of the UK’s most beautiful cities, full of history and culture, York is a wonderful place to have on your doorstep. The old city’s 13th century walls enclose a maze of atmospheric streets full of little shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants, while the breathtaking Gothic Minster watches over it all. York is also home to the National Railway Museum, the Jorvik Viking Centre, York Castle and a wealth of other historical buildings of interest.
The ultimate day out, packed full of all sorts of activities, there’s never a spare minute at Xscape! With a 14-screen Cineworld cinema, plenty of popular places to eat and outlet shopping, Xscape also features urban climbing, laser-tag, adventure golf, trampoline parks, bowling, an aerial adventure course and Snozone, an indoor skiing and boarding slope on real snow.
A country estate on the edge of Leeds, Temple Newsam is an impressive historic house set in 1500 acres of parkland. While the Tudor-Jacobean house is packed with treasures, the grounds are full of lakes and landscaped gardens to explore. There is also a rare breed conservation farm where you can meet pigs, guinea pigs, chickens and geese. Visit the tea rooms for refreshments or enjoy the 18-hole golf course.
An action-packed day for kids, Diggerland is full of diggers, dumpers and any other sort of exciting vehicle you can think of! Visitors of all ages can have a go at driving, riding and even operating real diggers and dumpers, and there are fun rides inspired by the machinery, including the Spindizzy, Dig-a-round and Mini Landrovers. There’s also an indoor soft play area, go-karts and so much more.
An Edwardian country estate, Lotherton is on the outskirts of Leeds. The hall itself is a museum full of interesting artefacts, the grounds are huge and ready to be explored complete with walled gardens, herbaceous borders and an exciting adventure playground. Also on the estate is Wildlife World which is home to an eclectic mix of animals, including Humboldt penguins, flamingos, a capybara and a tapir.
While many pubs in the area also serve food, there are also some lovely dining options in the area. Tadcaster has some great cafes plus an Italian restaurant and takeaways, while Ryther has a well-rated pub and steak house called The Rythre Arms. Cawood has three pubs serving food, and the nearby village of Riccall has an Italian and Indian of note. For big name restaurants and wider variety, the bigger towns such as Selby and Wetherby, and cities, Leeds and York, can cater to any taste.
While Tadcaster has a Sainsbury’s in the town centre, and Ulleskelf and Cawood have post office/general stores, for shopping a range of supermarkets can be found in the surrounding areas of Selby, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Wetherby, York and Leeds. For big brand stores and independent shops, Leeds and York have a fantastic range. Selby also has a shopping centre. For discounts, visit Junction 32 Yorkshire Outlet Shopping, 20 minutes south of Tadcaster and York Designer Outlet.
From quaint country establishments to gastro, there are plenty of pubs in the area! Tadcaster, as a brewing town, has options including the Fox and Hounds and The Royal Oak. There’s the friendly and cosy Ulleskelf Arms in Ulleskelf, the Rythre Arms, a country pub in Ryther, the traditional Grey Horse in Kelfield, and the Black Swan at the heart of Wistow. Cawood has The Jolly Sailor and the Castle Inn to choose from.
"Sam Smith’s brewery in Tadcaster still makes deliveries of beer by horse and cart."
There are several cinemas within easy reach of Tadcaster and the surrounding villages. The closest is 16 minutes by car, the 10-screen Odeon Luxe at Leeds Thorpe Park, while Wetherby has a small independent cinema, which is also 16 minutes away. York has an Everyman cinema in the city centre, and a Vue and Cineworld in its northern suburbs.
Along with all the glorious Yorkshire countryside in which to exercise, there are a number of options for those looking to work up a sweat around Tadcaster and the surrounding villages. Tadcaster itself has a centrally located leisure centre with a gym, multi-use sports hall and exercise classes and there is also a community swimming pool. There are several gym options in nearby towns Wetherby and Boston Spa, while big name gyms are further afield in Leeds and York.
Welcoming visitors and members alike, Selby Golf Club offers 18 holes on sandy soil that is playable year round. There is also a driving range and putting green. An 18-hole course that provides a fair test for golfers of all abilities, Scarthingwell Golf Course is set in scenic countryside that makes for a tranquil game. Pike Hills Golf Club, just outside of York, is a full 18-holes and considered one of the finest parkland courses in the North. Pike Hill welcomes members and visitors.
Tadcaster and the surrounding villages are wellplaced to make good use of the transport connections close by. Drivers are minutes from junction 44 of the A1(M), while the closest train stations, Ulleskelf and Church Fenton, offer services to York, Leeds, Hull, Sheffield and Blackpool. From Selby travel by train to London and Manchester is available. Buses offer services between the villages and within the local area, such as Selby and Wetherby, and further afield to Leeds and York.
"The oldest building in active use in the town is 'The Ark', built in the late15th century. Two carved heads on its front represent the heads of Noah and his wife."
Journey time from Tadcaster to Ulleskelf station is nine minutes by car, while from Ryther it is seven minutes to Ulleskelf and nine minutes to Church Fenton. From Cawood there is a choice of all three stations - Ulleskelf, Church Fenton and Selby, (although the Ulleskelf and Church Fenton stations are small and serve the local lines only) all about 12 minutes away; Wistow village is closest to Selby station, just eight minutes away. Trains from Ulleskelf to York take 12 minutes, Church Fenton to Leeds takes 16 minutes. From Selby, the train takes 20 minutes to York, around 20 minutes to Leeds, 1 hour 24 minutes to Manchester and 2 hours to London King’s Cross.
Tadcaster sits next to the A64 which connects York and Leeds, and connects the town with junction 44 of the A1(M), giving easy access to the M1 and M62. The other villages have easy access to the A64, or in the case of Wistow, Cawood, Kelfield and Stillingfleet, the A19, which connects York and Selby.
The closest airports to Tadcaster and villages are Leeds Bradford, which takes 40 minutes by car and Robin Hood (Doncaster), which is 46 minutes away. Manchester Airport is 1 hour 16 minutes via the M62, Birmingham Airport is 2 hours via the A1(M), M1, M42 and M6, while Heathrow is 3 hours via the A1(M) or M1 and the M25.
There are numerous bus routes connecting Tadcaster and villages to the surrounding towns and cities, including the 42 between Stillingfleet, Kelfield, Cawood, Wistow and Selby, the 492 between Ulleskelf, Tadcaster and Wetherby and the 843 Coastliner that connects Leeds and Scarborough