The Ultimate Area Guide for Anlaby, Willerby, and Kirk Ella
Anlaby, Willerby, and Kirk Ella
The three villages of Anlaby, Willerby, and Kirk Ella, which make up the western suburbs of Hull, are flourishing in their own right. At Kirk Ella, you’ll find Hull Golf Club, and next door, the Wheatsheaf Pub has an anthology of crafted ales. Willerby Shopping Park features gorgeous homes dating from the 1700s alongside major supermarkets. Visitors flock to Willerby's traditional pub, the Star Inn, and the Tea and Bisque-it pottery shop is popular with locals for afternoon tea and pottery painting.
Anlaby Retail Park hosts major retail outlets, and the Haltemprice Leisure Centre offers modern courts and a swimming pool. The area has excellent transport links, such as the A164 connecting Cottingham and Beverley. Despite the convenient proximity to Hull city centre, each village retains its quaint country living while offering vibrant activities.
The History of Anlaby, Willerby and Kirk Ella
Kirk Ella’s name is Old English, meaning ‘Woodland Clearing with a Church,’ with evidence of human occupancy since the Bronze Age. Anlaby shared habitation within the manor of North Ferriby, recorded in the Domesday Book with 19 persons, including a priest. The name Anlaby originates from Old Norse as ‘Anlaf’s village.’ During the English Civil War, Anlaby was used as a base for Royalist forces during the siege of Hull in 1642.
Until the 20th century, Willerby was a small village, but the population grew with the opening of the Willerby and Kirk Ella Railway Station in 1885. Post-war, significant development included housing and road expansion in Anlaby, Willerby, and Kirk Ella, along with industrial growth on Springfield Way.
Is Anlaby, Willerby, and Kirk Ella The Perfect Place to Live?
Are Anlaby, Willerby, and Kirk Ella nice places to live?
Yes, Anlaby, Willerby, and Kirk Ella are considered great places to live. Willerby is one of the safest small towns in the East Riding of Yorkshire, with a low crime rate, making it a secure choice for families and individuals alike. Kirk Ella is a prosperous residential village close to Hull, known for its prestigious properties and convenient amenities, offering a blend of rural charm and city accessibility. Anlaby, particularly Anlaby Park, is highly desirable, with property prices reflecting its popularity. The suburb boasts excellent housing, a retail park, and strong transport connections, making it one of the best places to live in Hull.
What are the local amenities like in Anlaby, Willerby and Kirk Ella?
Anlaby, Willerby, and Kirk Ella offer a variety of local amenities that cater to the needs of their residents: Anlaby: Home to Anlaby Retail Park with major retail outlets and essential services. Features Haltemprice Leisure Centre with modern courts and a swimming pool. Willerby: Boasts Willerby Shopping Park with supermarkets like Waitrose and Lidl. Offers independent shops such as WISHES gift shop and Ella Bellini for designer fashion. Diverse dining options including Da Lucia Mediterranean Restaurant and The Star Inn. Kirk Ella: Quaint village with charming pubs like The Wheatsheaf. Includes a selection of beauty salons and newsagents for local convenience. These amenities contribute to making Anlaby, Willerby, and Kirk Ella highly desirable places to live.
Things to do in Anlaby, Willerby and Kirk Ella
Anlaby, Willerby and kirk Ella are very family friendly villages with lots of activities to get up to for all ages. Here are just a few: Wyke Archers (Anlaby): A family-friendly archery club catering to all ages and abilities. Offers facilities for Longbow, Recurve, and Compound archery. Far Ings National Nature Reserve (Near Anlaby): Located just over the Humber Bridge, a key spot for birdwatching and wildlife enthusiasts. Home to over 250 species of moths, 230 wildflowers, and a haven for migrating birds. Skidby Mill (Near Cottingham): The last working mill north of the Humber, producing wholemeal flour from locally grown wheat. Visitors can explore the mill, which offers stunning views over Yorkshire. Anlaby Woods (Anlaby): A national forest filled with ancient trees, perfect for nature walks. A habitat for wildlife including owls, deer, woodpeckers, and hedgehogs. MKM Stadium (Hull): A short drive from these villages, hosting rugby and football matches, family events, and concerts. A great venue for sports fans and event-goers. Well Lane Play Park (Willerby): A well-maintained play park for children under eight, featuring soft grounding, swings, slides, and climbing apparatus. Plenty of benches for adults to sit and watch. Haltemprice Skatepark (Willerby): Ideal for skaters of all levels, offering half-pipes and ramps. A popular spot for older and younger children to practice and socialise. The Secret Village (Anlaby): A creative role-play centre for children with 10 themed play areas. A café on-site provides refreshments for adults while children explore. Bridlington South Beach (Accessible from Hessle Train Station): A pristine sandy beach with plenty of space, even during peak times. A lovely promenade and beach huts available for hire. Cayton Bay Beach (Accessible from Cottingham Train Station): A popular beach for fossil hunters, formed during the Jurassic period. A favorite spot for surfers and windsurfers.
What are the transport links like from Anlaby, Willerby and Kirk Ella?
Train Connections: Hessle Train Station: The nearest station for Anlaby, Willerby, and Kirk Ella residents.Provides regular services to York, Doncaster, and Hull Central, making it convenient for commuting and day trips. Cottingham Train Station: Located within an 11-minute drive, offering connections to Beverley, Sheffield, Scarborough, and Bridlington. Road Access: A164 and A1079 Roads: The A164 connects these villages to Cottingham and Beverley, providing easy access to surrounding areas. The A1079 links directly to York, ensuring a straightforward drive for those heading further afield. A63 and M62 Motorways: The A63 offers a direct route to Leeds, connecting with the M62 motorway, which provides links to major motorways like the M1 and A1. These roads make it easy to reach larger cities and other key destinations by car. Air Travel: Humberside Airport: Located just under 30 minutes away, offering flights to various UK and European destinations. Doncaster Sheffield Airport: Accessible in under an hour via the M62, providing a range of domestic and international flights. Leeds Bradford Airport: Also reachable via the M62, making it convenient for travelers looking for more flight options. Ferry Services: P&O Ferries (Hull): Less than a 30-minute drive, offering ferry services to Rotterdam, perfect for those traveling to Europe by sea. You can even take your furry friend with you! Bus Services in the area: The 151, 152, and 153 bus routes cover Hull and the surrounding villages, providing reliable public transport options. The 25 bus connects to Beverley, while the 154 route serves Cottingham. Regional Buses: Additional routes provide connections to local destinations, ensuring comprehensive coverage for residents. These transport links make Anlaby, Willerby, and Kirk Ella well-connected areas, offering residents easy access to both local amenities and further destinations, whether by train, car, or bus.
Does this area sound perfect for your next move?
You’ll find a variety of housing options, including semi-detached houses in Anlaby and detached houses on Beverley Road, as well as terraced properties near Springfield Way. For those interested in new developments, Tranby Park offers an elegant selection of 2, 3, 4, and 5-bedroom homes nestled in woodland surroundings. West Ella is home to detached houses with spacious landscaped gardens that attract those seeking premium living spaces. Further east, Kirk Ella provides options for those looking to downsize, with bungalows in Kirk Ella that offer a quieter, more manageable lifestyle. Near Willerby Village Centre, Ella Court Retirement Complex offers 56 flats with beautifully maintained communal gardens, ideal for retirees. In Willerby, you’ll discover well-proportioned family homes south of Kingston Road and spacious bungalows to the north. The area also boasts large 4-bedroom properties, with historic dwellings dating back to the 1700s and 1800s, conveniently located just a short drive from Willerby Shopping Park.
