Discover 9 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Thirsk (United Kingdom). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Thirsk Racecourse, Byland Abbey, and The World of James Herriot. Also, be sure to include St Mary's Church in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Thirsk (England).
Table of Contents
Thirsk Racecourse
Racecourse in Thirsk, England. Thirsk Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, England. The course is a left handed oval of about 1 mile 2 furlongs with a 3 furlong finishing straight and a 6 furlong chute. The present course opened in 1923, but racing had taken place on the old course over 200 years earlier.
The main road from Ripon to Thirsk runs past the course, and it is very popular with northern trainers.
In 1940 it staged the war-time substitute St. Leger.[1]
Address: Station Road, YO7 1QL Thirsk
Byland Abbey
Remains of an English landmark monastery. Byland Abbey is a ruined abbey and a small village in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire, England, in the North York Moors National Park.[2]
Address: Byland Abbey, YO61 4BD Coxwold
The World of James Herriot
Museum in Thirsk, England. World of James Herriot is the writer's home, now a visitor attraction in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, England. The attraction covers the life and books of the 20th century veterinary surgeon and author James Herriot within the Yorkshire Dales.
The museum is located in a 1940s period house with veterinary science exhibits. It was the original practice of Wight and his partners at 23 Kirkgate, known as "Skeldale House" in the books.
The museum was set up in 1999 by Hambleton District Council; the business was sold to private investors in 2011 and was re-generated in 2017. Council leases the building to the operators but retains ownership of the structure. As of February 2021, the World of James Herriot Ltd board included the daughter and son of Alf Wight: Rosie Page and retired vet John Wight, in addition to a group of "local businessmen and women".[3]
Address: 23 Kirkgate, YO7 1PL Thirsk
St Mary's Church
Building. St Mary's Church, Thirsk is a Church of England parish church in Thirsk, North Yorkshire. The church is a grade I listed building.[4]
Zillah Bell Gallery
Art gallery in Thirsk, England. The Zillah Bell Art Gallery is an independent contemporary art gallery housed in a Grade II Listed Building in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, England. Opened in 1988, the gallery exhibits local and national artists including Norman Ackroyd, Deirdre Borlase, Colin Britton, Mike Clay, Robin Hazlewood, Jason Hicklin, Roger Kohn, Janet Moodie and Jonathan Trowell.[5]
Address: 13-15 Kirkgate, YO7 1PQ Thirsk
Ritz Cinema
Movie theater in Thirsk, England. The Ritz Cinema on Westgate, Sowerby, North Yorkshire, England is a small cinema run by volunteers. The building was originally the Mechanics' Institute for Thirsk and Sowerby, but was converted into a cinema in 1912. Today, it is probably one of Britain's oldest operating cinemas.[6]
Address: 16 Westgate, YO7 1QS Thirsk
St Oswald's Church
Church in Sowerby, England. St Oswald's Church is a Church of England parish church in Sowerby, North Yorkshire, England. It is named after Oswald of Northumbria.[7]
Address: Front St, YO7 1JG Thirsk
Holy Trinity Church
Episcopal church in Boltby, England. Holy Trinity Church, Boltby is a parish church in the Church of England in Boltby.[8]
Thirsk & Sowerby Institute
City hall
Address: The Flatts, Thirsk