Location Image

Thornton Steward Reservoir

Thornton Steward Reservoir is a reservoir north of the village of Thornton Steward in North Yorkshire, England. It is owned by Yorkshire Water, and supplies drinking water to Swaledale, Wensleydale, Northallerton, and Thirsk. Thornton Steward Water Treatment Works (WTW) opened in 1977, and was refurbished in the 1990s. It was upgraded in 2003, and its mains connections improved in 2007, allowing Yorkshire Water to close older works in Langthwaite and at Cod Beck Reservoir above Osmotherley. The removal of the Langthwaite WTW, which was fed with groundwater from an adit, means that Thornton Steward now meets the needs of the Swaledale settlements formerly provided by Langthwaite. The majority of the water from Thornton Steward is piped to a pumping station north of Ainderby Steeple and from there to Bullamoor Reservoir (a system of four covered concrete cisterns on the hillside east of Northallerton). That in turn supplies Northallerton and Thirsk. The reservoir is fed from water pumped from the River Ure, which is extracted at Kilgram Bridge 1 mile (2 km) to the south. It is also supplied with water from Leighton Reservoir. The reservoir is host to the Thornton Steward Sailing Club and is used for fly fishing.

Nearby Places View Menu
Location Image
878 m

Thornton Steward

Thornton Steward is a small village and civil parish in North Yorkshire, England, near Wensleydale, with a population of 100–200, measured at 199 in the 2011 Census. The name derives from Old English relating to a hawthorn tree on a farm (or settlement) and Steward. The village was formerly owned by Wymar, who was the steward of the Earls of Richmond. The village is very similar to the others that dot Wensleydale, but Thornton Steward has a reservoir owned by Yorkshire Water. From 1974 to 2023 it was part of the district of Richmondshire, it is now administered by the unitary North Yorkshire Council. The village includes the ancient St Oswald's Church, which is reputedly the oldest church in Wensleydale with some parts being dated back to the year 680. The church was subject to Channel 4's show Time Team, where they found remains of a communion of monks. The village was also featured in the British television series All Creatures Great and Small, in the episode "If Wishes Were Horses". The hill, East Witton fell, is visible from Thornton Steward and on the western side Jervaulx Abbey is visible. The school house was founded in 1815 by George Horn, with a budget of '£10 per annum', but was closed during the 20th century. It is situated in between the towns of Leyburn and Bedale, and is near to several tourist attractions such as Thorp Perrow Arboretum and the Green Howards regimental exhibition.
Location Image
1.4 km

Hutton Hang

Hutton Hang is a hamlet and civil parish in the county of North Yorkshire, England. The population taken at the 2011 census was less than 100. Information is included within the parish of Spennithorne. About 4 miles east of Leyburn. Nearby villages include Finghall, Akebar, Thornton Steward and Constable Burton. From 1974 to 2023 it was part of the district of Richmondshire, it is now administered by the unitary North Yorkshire Council.
Location Image
1.5 km

Finghall

Finghall, historically spelt Fingall, is a village and civil parish in North Yorkshire, England. It is in lower Wensleydale south of the A684 road, about 6.2 miles (10 km) west of Bedale and about 5 miles (8 km) east of Leyburn. The population of the parish was estimated at 140 in 2016.
Location Image
1.6 km

Church of St Oswald, Thornton Steward

The Church of St Oswald, Thornton Steward is an Anglican church to the west of the village of Thornton Steward in North Yorkshire, England. St Oswald's is thought to be one of the oldest churches in Wensleydale. It was mentioned in the Domesday Book, and has Norman origins. The building is located in a burial plot dating back as far as the 7th century, and is now a grade II* listed structure.