History - Thornton le dale
The village's history dates back to at least the Neolithic period, as it is known tha the Romans were in this area sometime between 50BC and AD50. The not uncommon name of 'Thornton' is thought to have been given to the area by the Angels, who concquered this part of Yorkshire around AD500, and relates to thorn bushes.
The village was named the prettiest in Yorkshire in the 1920's and 1930's and was then renamed to the more classy 'Thornton Le Dale'. At the centre of the village is the green with the market cross. A market charter was granted in 1281 to John de Easton, lord of the manor of Thornton, by Edward I. Although a market is no longer held in Thornton Le Dale, the cross remains and concerts are played on the green regularly.
All Saints Church dates from the 14th century and Sir Richard Cholmley, known as 'The Black Knight of the North', is buried in the chancel. Outside in the churchyard is the grave of one Matthew Grims, a local lad whose claim to fame was that he guarded Napoleon Bonaparte whilst he was prisoner on the isle of St Helena.
It is believed that Richard Rolle of Hampole, the famous mystic, was born in Thornton Le Dale.
Thornton Le Dale's jewel-in-the-crown, Beck Isle Cottage is one of the most photographed homes in the UK, this lovely 17th century thatched cottage has appeared on countless jigsaws, chocolate boxes and calendars.