Thornley

Thornley is a small village between Wolsingham and Tow Law. The earliest buildings in the village date to about 1700, but there were references to an earlier settlement. The original school was built in 1824 but used as a school master’s house after 1845 when the large school (now the village hall) was built.

An early coal mine was recorded in 1569 and later mining led to the rise of the village with a church, school and a range of craftsmen plus a publican.

St Bartholomew’s church was built in 1838 and subsequently enlarged. The congregation donated an altar rail of the local Frosterley marble. The font is also of Frosterley marble and was found broken in a Wolsingham garden before being repaired.