The History of Thornton le Dale.
Governance.
The Parish is in the North Yorkshire Council Electoral Division of Thornton Dale and The Wolds which extends beyond the boundaries of the Parish with a total population of 7,396 (Mid-year Estimate ONS 2020).
The parish council is Thornton le Dale; the Council has seven members and meets monthly at the Hill Memorial Institute. Meetings start at 7.00 pm are open to the public.
Thornton le Dale.
In the Domesday Book of 1086, the settlement, with a population of 30, appears in three entries; it was then known as Torentune. Other nearby small settlements included Roxby, Farmanby, Thornton, Ellerburn and Leidtorp; four of these eventually joined to become the village.
All Saints’ Church, Grade II listed, is centuries old and was altered several times: entirely rebuilt in the 14th century, though some earlier aspects still remain, and modified in 1681 and 1865. The existing copy of the church register includes listings as far back as 1538. Comber House, the former rectory on Church Hill, designed c. 1840 by J. P. Prichett, is also Grade II listed.
Tourism
The tourist era in this area was underway by the early 1900s and in 1907, Thornton le Dale was named Yorkshire’s Prettiest Village in a newspaper poll; it remains popular with tourists. Such visitors fuel the economy, with many visiting the very quaint village with its ancient market cross, stocks on the small village green and small beck (stream). There are several cafes and pubs, as well as a seasonal tea room and many shops. Nearby, Dalby Forest offers paths for walking, cycling and nature-watching.
The Information Point can provide visitors with a pamphlet providing specifics as to other walks from the village, including one to the tiny hamlet of Ellerburn.
A traditional cottage by the stream, one of the few specific attractions of note in the immediate area.
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway in nearby Pickering offers rides on a steam or heritage diesel train on one of the historic lines in the area and the Beck Isle Museum features displays of historic sets and objects.
Other Parish Information.
Thornton le Dale is served by local commercial radio station, Yorkshire Coast Radio, which provides a daily local news service.
