A traditional cottage, known as Beck Isle Cottage
|Population||1,759 (2011 Census)|
|OS grid reference|
|Sovereign state||United Kingdom|
Thornton-le-Dale (also called Thornton Dale) is a village and civil parish in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire, England, about 3 miles (5 km) east of Pickering on the edge of the North York Moors National Park. The area of the village encompasses 39.2 square kilometres.
A thatched building, called Beck Isle or Thatched Cottage and Grade II listed, was built in the 17th century and modified/extended in the 20th. The building has appeared on countless calendars and chocolate boxes over the years. A new thatched roof was installed in 2014 so it remains picturesque. A stream, the Thornton Beck, meanders along the streets and is crossed by several bridges. Much of the village was designated as a Conservation Area by the North York Moors Park Authority in 1977. Thornton-le-Dale is often regarded as one of the prettiest villages in Yorkshire.
The village lies on the A170 road from Thirsk to Scarborough within the National Park. The route of The White Rose Way, a long-distance walk from Leeds to Scarborough, also passes through.
The area has been inhabited since at least the Neolithic era. A burial cart discovered nearby, at Pexton Moor, is estimated to have been made in 300 BC. The name of the village is thought to have been given by a group known as the Angles who settled here circa AD 500–540, after conquering the locals. An etymology report suggests that the name Thornton is from the ancient word thun, "where thorn bushes grew".
Prior to the Norman Conquest, the area was under the rule of Saxon lords. century, "probably with earlier origins".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. In 1066, the Lord was Earl Morcar and by 1086, the Crown (King William) owned this area; it was later transferred to Count Odo and his wife. By 1281, a Manor was built here, owned by John De Easton. In 1661, the owner was the Hill family; they built a new manor on the site of the old one. A 1921 report indicated the owner as Captain Richard Hill. Known as The Hall, and Grade II listed, the manor is now a residential care home for the elderly. The building's origins are stated as 17th
There was a mill on Thornton Beck from at least 1200; the current mill was built in the 18th century and enlarged in 1919, when it was renamed Victory Mill. For nearly a century, the Burgess animal feed company has owned the mill, initially using it for manufacturing its products, and later as offices. By 2003, the building had been restored. As early as 1277, there was also a mill at Ellerburn. Weaving was a common industry from the 14th to the 18th century. The beck was diverted in the 19th century when a large mill complex with sluice gates was built.
In the Middle Ages, Roxby, just west of the village, was a separate manor, which fell into the hands of the Cholmeley family in 1499.Sir Hugh Cholmeley, 1st Baronet, was born at Roxby Castle, then known as Thorton-on-the-Hill. The remains on Roxby Hill are a Scheduled Ancient Monument although none of the buildings remain. The area is also Grade II listed as "ridge and furrow earthworks [and] cultivation strips".
Richard Rolle, the English hermit mystic, was probably born in Thornton-le-Dale in the 1300s. He authored many books on religious topics.
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.
St Hilda's Church, Grade II listed, is in the tiny village of Ellerburn which is part of Thornton-le-Dale. The original building dates to the early Norman period, and according to some sources, to the Saxon era, as early as 850 or 1050. It was restored and modified in 1904–1905 and in 1911.Today, there are a few other churches in or near Thornton-le-Dale.
In 1657,builders were given orders to erect 12 almshouses and a school, thanks to an endowment left by Elizabeth, Viscountess Lumley who had died earlier that year; her family had owned much of the land in the area. The buildings, between the village green and the bridge, completed in 1670, are supported by the Lady Lumley's Almshouse Trust. The 12 bungalows were restored in the 19th century, and in 2014, a major renovation was completed by the Trust on the Grade II listed buildings. They have been inhabited for some time as age-specific housing. Beck Isle (Thatched) Cottage was also built in the 1600s but was "raised, renovated and extended" in the 20th century. A book published in 2012 included photos of the Thatched Cottage circa 1920's, and stated that in that era, the building was covered in plaster and had significantly fewer windows. As of 2021, the cottage was identified as a freehold private residence.
The Old Grammar School had space for 200 students but had only 16 as of 1980; century; it is now used for other purposes. Another school, the Lady Lumley's School in nearby Pickering, is still in use, as a coeducational secondary school and sixth form. The only current school in Thornton Dale is the CE School school, with 133 students in 2018, operated by the Church of England.the building remained in use as a school until the 20th
In 1801, the population was 1,041. By 1831, it had increased to 1,368.
The village used to have a railway station on the Forge Valley Line between Seamer and Pickering. The trains first arrived in 1839 but the Pickering-Scarborough branch was not completed here until 1882. Some agricultural workers left the area on the train, seeking paid jobs elsewhere.The Thornton Dale railway station opened in 1882 and closed to passengers in 1950, with a freight train from a quarry in the village continuing to use the tracks until 1964. After being used for several purposes, including offices and a caravan park, the station was converted into three holiday rental cottages.
It was in 1907 that the village was first deemed as the "prettiest" in Yorkshire; voters in this poll were the readers of a newspaper.By that time, the village was considered to be a tourist hotspot.
The parish is in the Ryedale District electoral ward of Thornton Dale, which extends beyond the boundaries of the Parish with a total population of 3,256 at the 2011 census.
For county council purposes the parish is in the Thornton Dale and the Wolds electoral division of North Yorkshire County Council.The area is also covered by the Thornton Dale Ward of Ryedale District Council.
The parish council is Thornton le Dale; the council has 7 members and meets monthly at the Hill Memorial Institute. Meetings are open to the public.
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.
The village has a large car park area and is also served by buses such as the Coastliner's route 840 (Leeds to Whitby) and Route 128 on the East Yorkshire service.
One of the few specific attractions of note in the immediate area, is the Motor Museum, owned by D. T. Mathewson, which exhibits a collection of classic and vintage cars from 1918 to 1976. The Mathewson's car auction has also been regularly shown in a series made for the Yesterday TV channel called Bangers & Cash, with a spin-off series featuring Derek, Paul and Dave Mathewson in production under the name Restoring Classics. Even earlier, in 1906, there was a display of "vintage vehicles" at a garage in the village.
Another attraction, Go Ape Dalby, provides zip lining opportunities in the Dalby Forest.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 is known to television viewers as the heritage line featured in Channel 5's The Yorkshire Steam Railway: All Aboard. The Beck Isle Museum features displays of historic sets and objects.
Stage Three of the 2018 Tour de Yorkshire started in Richmond and finished in Scarborough. The cyclists travelled through Thornton-le-Dale.
On the first Saturday in December, the Village Lights Committee (all volunteers) stage the annual Christmas lights 'Switch On'.This is the culmination of a whole year's work of raising money and putting up the lights around the village.
Events scheduled for 2018 included the Spring Gala in May, the traditional rural Thornton Show and the Flower, Scarecrow Festival and Produce Show in August as well as the Harvest Festivals in September.
In August, most years, the Thornton Show and the Scarecrow Festival are held.The Thornton le Dale players, formed in the 1940s, puts on plays in spring and summer, with a major production usually held in November at the village hall.
North Yorkshire is the largest non-metropolitan county and lieutenancy area in England, covering an area of 8,654 square kilometres (3,341 sq mi). Around 40% of the county is covered by national parks, including most of the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors. It is one of four counties in England to hold the name Yorkshire; the three other counties are the East Riding of Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.
Ryedale is a non-metropolitan district of the shire county of North Yorkshire in England. It is in the Vale of Pickering, a low-lying flat area of land drained by the River Derwent. The Vale's landscape is rural with scattered villages and small market towns. It has been inhabited continuously from the Mesolithic period. The economy is largely agricultural with light industry and tourism playing an increasing role.
Pickering is an ancient market town and civil parish in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire, England, on the border of the North York Moors National Park. Historically part of the North Riding of Yorkshire, it sits at the foot of the moors, overlooking the Vale of Pickering to the south.
Helmsley is a market town and civil parish in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire, England. Historically part of the North Riding of Yorkshire, the town is located at the point where Ryedale leaves the moorland and joins the flat Vale of Pickering.
Staithes is a seaside village in the borough of Scarborough in North Yorkshire, England. Easington and Roxby Becks, two brooks that run into Staithes Beck, form the border between the Borough of Scarborough and Redcar and Cleveland. The area located on the Redcar and Cleveland side is called Cowbar. Formerly one of the many fishing centres in England, Staithes is now largely a tourist destination within the North York Moors National Park.
Kirkbymoorside is a small market town and civil parish in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire, England, about 25 miles (40.2 km) north of York, midway between Pickering and Helmsley, on the edge of the North York Moors National Park. It has a population of about 3,000, measured in the 2011 Census as 3,040.
Hutton-le-Hole is a small village and civil parish in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire, England, about 7 miles (11 km) north-west of Pickering. It is a popular scenic village within the North York Moors National Park. Sheep roam the streets at will.
Hawnby is a small crossroads village and civil parish in Rye Dale in the North York Moors National Park, North Yorkshire, England. The village is about 7 miles (11 km) north-west of Helmsley.
Bransdale is a valley running south through North Yorkshire, England, and part of the North York Moors National Park. Sandwiched between Bilsdale to the west and Farndale to the east, it is formed from the dales of Bransdale itself at the top of the valley, Sleightholmedale and Kirkdale. It carries a river called Hodge Beck en route from Cockayne to the River Dove from Farndale three miles (4.8 km) of Kirkbymoorside, which runs on into the Vale of Pickering and the River Rye.
Cropton is a village and civil parish in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire, England. It is on the border of the North York Moors National Park, 3 miles (5 km) north-west of Pickering.
Thornton Dale railway station was situated on the North Eastern Railway's Pickering to Seamer branch line. It served the village of Thornton-le-Dale in North Yorkshire, England. The station opened to passenger traffic on 1 May 1882, and closed on 3 June 1950.
Foston is a small village and civil parish in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire, England. The population of the civil parish as of the 2011 census was 263. Details are included in the civil parish of Whitwell-on-the-Hill. It is situated close to the A64 road and is approximately 9 miles (14 km) north-east from York.
Farndale is a valley and community in Ryedale district, North Yorkshire, England, which is known for the daffodils which flower each spring along a 7-mile (11 km) stretch of the River Dove. The valley is in the North York Moors National Park, some 11 miles (18 km) north of Kirkbymoorside, the nearest town. Pickering is some 17 miles (27 km) to the south-east and Helmsley 17 miles (27 km) to the south-west.
Ellerburn is a village in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire, England, situated near Thornton-le-Dale, about 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Pickering. It is located in the North York Moors National Park.
Ebberston is a village and former civil parish, now in the parish of Ebberston and Yedingham in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire, England, and is 34 miles (55 km) east from the county town of Northallerton. In 1961 the parish had a population of 466.
A witch post is a local superstition where the cross of Saint Andrew is used as a hex sign on the fireplaces in Northern England, Yorkshire, and Lancashire, in order to prevent witches from flying down the chimney and entering the house to do mischief. By placing the St Andrew's cross on one of the fireplace posts or lintels, witches are thought to be prevented from entering through this opening. In this case, it is similar to the use of a witch ball, although the cross is supposed to actively prevent witches from entering, and the witch ball is supposed to passively delay or entice the witch, and perhaps entrap it.
The A169 is an A road in North Yorkshire, England. It runs from the A64 at Malton on the edge of the Yorkshire Wolds through the Vale of Pickering and across the North York Moors to join the A171 just west of Whitby. It is a single carriageway for all of its 25-mile (40 km) route. Whilst it is not considered a Primary Route nationally, the Ryedale Local Transport Plan lists it as part of its Major Road Network alongside the A64, A166 and A171.
Newton Dale is a narrow dale within the North York Moors National Park in North Yorkshire, England. It was created by meltwater from a glacier carving the narrow valley. Water still flows through the dale and is known as Pickering Beck.
Scawton is a village and former civil parish in Ryedale, North Yorkshire, England. The hamlet lies just east of Sutton Bank, north of the A170 road, and 5 miles (8 km) west of Helmsley, in the Hambleton Hills. The wider parish was the setting for the Battle of Old Byland, on Scawton Moor to the south. The road through the village used to link the two abbeys at Byland and Rievaulx, with the church, and possibly the village pub, being instigated by the monks for the use of travellers. In 1961 the parish had a population of 84.
Media related to Thornton-le-Dale at Wikimedia Commons