Fun Facts about Goole!
Tuesday 10th Feb, 2026
Did you know that the port town of Goole is celebrating its 200th Anniversary in 2026? Our busy branch serves people living or working in and around the town, so we thought we'd share some fascinating facts with you!
- Goole was part of the historic West Riding of Yorkshire until local government reorganisation in 1974, when it switched sides and became part of the East Riding!
- The name Goole comes from the Middle English word ‘goule’ meaning a channel by a stream, gully or land drain, of which there were many in the area because of the flat terrain.
- The port of Goole, which handles nearly 2 million tonnes of cargo each year, is the UK’s furthest inland port as it is about 50 miles from the North Sea.
- The canal company, Aire and Calder Navigation, built a canal to transport coal from Knottingley in 1826 and laid out 8 transhipment docks and a new town where it joined the River Ouse.
- Banks Arms Hotel on Aire Street (now Lowther Hotel), named after Sir Edward Banks, a contractor for the canal company, was the first building opened in New Goole in 1824.
- Coal came to Goole in ‘Tom Pudding’ tubs, which resembled a string of pudding tins pulled along the canal by a tug, which were discharged into seagoing ships by huge hydraulic dockside hoists.
- Goole’s most prominent landmarks – the twin water towers – are nicknamed the Salt and Pepper pots. The white water tower was the largest in Europe when built.
- The town gets a mention in J. B. Priestley’s play An Inspector Calls, where the main character is named Inspector Goole.
- Sir Roy Clarke, writer of the much loved comedy sitcoms Last of the Summer Wine, Open All Hours and Keeping Up Appearances, has been a local resident for many years.
- Goole’s new railway rolling stock factory, operated by Siemens Mobility, opened in 2024, is building tube trains for London’s Piccadilly Line.
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Written by JES - January 2026
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