Tadcaster
United Kingdom · Europe
About Tadcaster
Tadcaster is a town in North Yorkshire, best known as a centre for brewing. It's about midway between Leeds and York, a commuter town for both, and in 2021 had a population of 5900.
Tadcaster travel guide
Getting there
Tadcaster is 15 miles northeast of Leeds and 10 miles southeast of York. From the south leave A1(M) onto A64 eastbound then take the first exit A659 to come into town. From the north, cars may shortcut on A659: it's supposed to be prohibited to heavy good vehicles but don't be surprised to meet a brewery truck hurtling the other way. Coastliner Bus 840 / 843 runs every 30 min from Leeds, taking 45 min to Tadcaster and continuing to York (another 20 min) and Malton. There the 840 turns north to Pickering and every two hours to Whitby, while the 843 continues east to Scarborough.
Getting around
Town is compact but its sights won’t take long, you need wheels to explore further. Taxi firms are Driven (+44 7717 170965), Taxis Tadcaster (+447795 086754) and Bridge (+44 1937 834126).
See
Town centre is undistinguished 19th / 20th century low-rise. 1 St Mary's Church, Kirkgate LS24 9BL. M-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su 10AM-noon. This medieval church was renovated in the late 19th century, but preserved its Gothic appearance. (updated Dec 2025) 2 Tadcaster Windmill is a hollow shell on Stutton Road near the bypass. 3 Towton Cross on B1217 commemorates the Battle of Towton on 29 March 1461, the bloodiest battle ever fought on British soil. At this stage of the Wars of the Roses the Lancastrians held York itself, and the reigning Yorkists marched up from London to oust them. It was fought in a snowstorm between Towton and Saxton two miles to the south. The likely death toll was 10,000 between the two sides, but crucially the Lancastrians lost most of their noble leaders, while their king Henry VI fled to Scotland with his cause and wits shattered.
Do
Tadcaster Leisure Hub has a gym and fitness classes. It’s on Station Rd. Tadcaster Community Swimming Pool is at 32 Westgate. Football: Tadcaster Albion play soccer in the amateur leagues. Their i2i Stadium is on Ings Lane on the west riverbank. Golf: Tadcaster GC is five miles south near Church Fenton. White tees 6631 yards, par 72. Pike Hills GC is in Copmanthorpe on the edge of York.
Buy
Sainsbury's on Mill Lane is open M-Sa 8AM-8PM, Su 10AM-4PM.
Eat
Everything Good Goes is a pizzeria at 2 Westgate, open M-Sa 5-10PM. Sapori di Napoli is at 16 Westgate, open Tu-Sa 5:30-9:30PM.
Drink & nightlife
Pubs include Howden Arms, 21 The High Street, Falcon Inn, Coach and Horses, Royal Oak and Broken Bridge. Breweries are John Smith's, Sam Smith's, Heineken and Coors. No taproom or tours for these.
Sleep
1 Hazlewood Castle, Paradise Lane LS24 9NJ, ☏ +44 1937 535302. Castle built in the 13th century but prettified into a mansion in the 18th. It was converted into a hotel in 1997 and earns high scores for comfort and service. B&B double £260. (updated Dec 2025) 2 Premier Inn York South West, 74 Bilbrough Top YO23 3PP, ☏ +44 333 321 9203. Chain budget hotel on A64 to York. B&B double £85. (updated Dec 2025) 3 Colton Haggs Farm, Hagg Lane LS24 8ET, ☏ +44 1904 744251. Comfy welcoming B&B on a working farm 4 miles south of York. B&B double £100. (updated Dec 2025) 4 Travelodge York Tadcaster, Bilbrough Top LS24 8EQ, ☏ +44 871 984 6186. Reliable budget hotel on A64 to York. B&B double from £75. (updated Dec 2025)
Go next
York is a must-see for its walled city, Minster and great collection of museums. For day trips use the bus or Park & Ride. Leeds for big-city entertainment. Scarborough is a genteel Victorian beach resort.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.