Discover Selby: Abbey, Canal and Culture

Selby combines impressive architectural history with waterways, culture and opportunities for walks. The town is suitable for travellers who do not want to limit their stay to a single attraction: a free visit to Selby Abbey, a route along the Selby Canal, a historic market square and a varied programme of live performances offer different perspectives on the town. When choosing your holiday apartment in Selby, you can therefore consider whether culture, activity or a combination of both should be the focus of your trip.

Selby Abbey and the History of the Town

One important attraction is Selby Abbey. Admission is free for everyone. Abbey Church features an outstanding Norman nave with a decorated chancel. This means that the church offers not only a tangible insight into architectural history, but also a cultural focal point for a stay in which historic places play a special role. Those travelling with children can discover the distinctive architectural features and the church’s different forms in their own way, without tying the visit to a paid attraction.

The historical perspective continues beyond the Abbey. The Market Place in Selby has existed since the early 14th century, while the New Inn is an inn dating from the early to mid-18th century. Selby also hosts a traditional weekly market. These elements form part of a town history that cannot be read from a single building alone. During your stay, it can be appealing to begin a day with a visit to the Abbey and then consciously take in the public townscape, the market and other historical traces.

Canal, River and Walking Routes

Selby Lock Basin connects the Selby Canal with the River Ouse. The connection between canal and river also makes the area interesting for travellers who would like to experience a waterside landscape alongside culture. Another option is the Selby Horseshoe Walk. The route begins and ends at Selby Abbey and partly follows the towpath of the Selby Canal past Selby Dam. This allows you to include a walk in your day’s plans without losing sight of the town’s cultural focus.

The Selby Horseshoe Walk and themed heritage walks appeal to different interests. If your travel group enjoys being active, the canal route can provide a suitable contrast to a tour of the town. Those with a stronger interest in history will find the heritage walks on offer another way to explore Selby. David Mayne’s sculpture also depicts the history of the Selby Canal and adds to the view of the waterway’s importance.

Cultural Programme for Your Itinerary

Selby Town Hall is a centre for the performing arts in a 150-year-old former chapel of the Primitive Methodists. It offers a varied programme of professional performances in two event seasons each year. These include bluegrass, stand-up comedy, contemporary dance and world music, among others. If you would like to combine your stay with a cultural evening, it is worth taking the relevant season’s programme into account when preparing for your trip. The programme provides a different emphasis from the historic buildings and broadens the options for travellers who want to combine the town’s history during the day with live performances in the evening.

Getting There and Choosing a Suitable Location

Selby is an important stop on train services operated by TransPennine, Northern Rail and Hull Trains. This is relevant to your personal travel planning if you also want to choose your accommodation based on your arrival and the desired mix of town visits, walks and cultural events. A holiday apartment in Selby can serve as a base for a stay whose focus you can flexibly divide between the Abbey, market square, canal history and performances.

For more travel ideas, you can also explore Monk Fryston, Richmond, Aldwark, Crosby, Sherburn In Elmet, Hovingham, Darley and Easingwold.

For the overarching travel overview: North Yorkshire.