Welcome to Foston & Thornton-le-Clay

About our Parish

Foston and Thornton-le-Clay are villages in the Ryedale District of North Yorkshire, about 10 miles from York and 8 miles from Malton. These small villages lie about 1 mile apart on the northern edge of the Vale of York, alongside the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) where the hills begin to rise gently towards the North Yorkshire Moors to the north and the Yorkshire Wolds to the east. Although close to York and its extensive commuter villages, they are approached through quiet lanes bordered by agricultural land, trees and hedgerows.

The population of Foston is around 50 and of Thornton-le-Clay and outlying homesteads is around 170. The Parish Church for the villages is located in Foston, whilst there is a small village school, a pub, a village hall and a Methodist chapel in Thornton-le-Clay. Although the origin of the villages is agricultural, there is a wide range of occupations, and a number of small businesses including farms. There is a good number of retired people, and many others who commute to work in York or Malton or work at home.