Cawood, Kelfield & Riccall
Three lovely, rural, villages that have been witness to monumental moments of history, including the Vikings landing in 1066, association with royalty and archbishops and the arrest of Cardinal Wolsey by Henry VIII’s men in 1530.
Today the villages, between them, are home to award winning accommodation, interesting churches, walks, an abundance of nature and wildlife, welcoming pubs with locally brewed ale, popular Italian restaurant, tearooms and so much more.
Cawood
This lovely, historical, village is located about five miles north of Selby, eight miles east of Tadcaster and eleven miles south of York. British writer Arthur Mee referred to Cawood as “the Windsor of the North”, as it was Cawood where the Archbishops of York used to live and a place often visited by royalty.
Today it is an attractive village with many historic associations that you can see, as you enjoy the circular Wolsey Walk that takes you around the village. Providing an impressive backdrop is Cawood Castle. It was the arrest of Cardinal Wolsey by Henry VIII’s men at the Castle that is believed to be the source of the Humpty Dumpty nursery rhyme. The late medieval rooms in the gatehouse are all that survive of Cawood Castle, once a residence of the Archbishops of York and today, you can enjoy a unique stay in the Landmark Trust property, complete with access to your own roof terrace and views across the Vale of York.
Enjoy country and riverside walks and take in the historic sites of Cawood village, before stopping for a spot of lunch at one of the village pubs or cafés.
The village is home to three pubs serving food and drink. The Jolly Sailor Inn has been brewing their own beer since 2012, which follows a tradition of brewer/landlords based at the pub. They serve 6 real ales brewed by the Jolly Sailor Brewery. The Castle Inn serves delicious homemade and locally sourced food, and has a small caravan park attached, and the Ferry Inn is a cosy pub on the bank of the river, with views of the impressive swing bridge.
The Village Tearooms is a family friendly tea room & garden centre in the centre of the village, serving wonderful breakfasts, sandwiches and sweet treats to tempt you! Wash it all down with their selection of hot and cold drinks.
If you’re looking for somewhere to stock up on picnic goodies, you’re in for a treat with the Pickled Postie. They’re a Deli, a Cafe and a Post Office all in one, serving delicious sandwiches, locally baked breads, pastries – and delicious Afternoon Tea.
In Cawood, you’ll find a selection of accommodation options, from homely guest houses, to the medieval rooms at Cawood Castle and a of pick caravan sites and holiday lodges, including The Castle Inn, Cawood Park and York South Ltd.
Just a five minute drive away from Cawood, is the Rythre Arms, a cosy traditional pub renowned for locally sourced steaks, with its own on-site butchery. Their steaks are matured and butchered on the premises and range in size from the modest 6 ounce Fillet to the Rythre Monster that comes in at an awe-inspiring 78 ounces!
Kelfield
Nestled in between Cawood and Riccall, on the family farm, you’ll find the multi – award winning The Dovecote Barns, offering a stylish no compromise sustainable stay. The converted 18th century holiday barns reflect in name what purpose they served at that time. Today, they offer luxury accommodation and a guaranteed warm Yorkshire welcome. Using only renewable energy, these self contained holiday cottages offer total comfort without compromise to you or the environment. Country kitchens, log stoves, under-floor heating and ensuite bedrooms – all with their own private garden area and barbecue for dining al fresco.
Riccall
Riccall is a picturesque village, which is a 10 minute drive north of Selby and a 20 minute drive south of York. It is a village of character and history, which lies to the east of the River Ouse. Settlement was well-established when it saw the landing of Vikings in 1066, prior to their battles at Gate Fulford and Stamford Bridge.
The sense of history in Riccall is marked by many buildings in the village. The ancient parish church of St. Mary’s is closely bound to village history. With evidence of an older Saxon Church being replaced by a Norman building. St Mary’s built of local Tadcaster magnesium limestone, and Welsh slate roof, is mentioned in the Domesday Book. All of this, and more, can be seen from one of the two circular Round Riccall Walks that take in the historic countryside in and around the village.
Riccall is also along the Cycle the Solar System route, which follows the Selby−York cycle track, finishing in York. Close to the start of the route, you can stock up on goodies and picnic items from The Pickled at Riccall, or enjoy a pitstop and a sport of lunch in the cafe. Also, in the heart of the village, you’ll find The Dairymans B&B and Tearoom, a traditional village cafe, with an Italian twist.
Between the tearooms, the two village pubs and popular Italian restaurant, Burro, foodies will be spoilt for choice! Found in the old Riccall windmill, a truly unique building full of rustic character and atmosphere, Burro is a contemporary Italian restaurant offering both classic Italian food and dishes with a twist.
