History of Selby

By Steve Willimott

Selby is a busy and growing market town, 12 miles south of the City of York, in North Yorkshire, England. Although historically part of Yorkshire's West Riding, Selby is now the southern most district in the non-metropolitan county of North Yorkshire.
The town's population, known as Selebians, was 13,012 as of the last national Census (2001).
Built around Selby Abbey as it's magnificent centrepiece, much of the town's wealth historically came from the banks river on which it sits, The River Ouse.
Shipbuilding took place here, and the historic swing bridge opens to allow the passage of vessels. The port of Selby was hugely important to the town's growth as was its canal, linking the town with Leeds.
Due to it's proximity to the nearby cities of York and Leeds, Selby is currently experiencing a period of rapid growth, with new development being focused on the town and it's satellites, Tadcaster and Sherburn in Elmet.