Until 1974 the village lay in the historic county boundaries of the East Riding of Yorkshire and from 1974 to 2023 it was part of the Borough of Scarborough.

Evidence of Mesolithic settlers exist at nearby Star Carr, and the post-glacial watercourse of Lake Flixton, which was north of the village.

[1] Archaeological excavations in the area have discovered ceremonial mace-heads made from pebble, flints, and ochre crayons believed to be 10,000 years old.

[8] Originally in the East Riding wapentake of Dickering, it was later transferred into North Yorkshire during the county boundary changes of 1974.

[13] There is one Guest House, Orchard Lodge, which has won national and local awards,[14] and the Foxhound Inn, which also serves as a fish and chip shop.