Horsley is a village and civil parish about one and a half miles south-west of the small Cotswold market town of Nailsworth.

The origins of the name Horsley are much debated, although it is thought to be derived from the pre-7th-century Old English phrase, "horse-lega", meaning "place of horses".

Horsley has a C of E Primary School and church, a community shop,[4] a playground and sports field, a village hall, Ruskin Mill College (part of Ruskin Mill Trust), and a pub, The Hog (formerly the Bell & Castle).

St Martin's Church also serves as the Primary School hall and a performance space for the community and surrounding area.

Horsley's monthly newsletter, 'The Horse's Mouth' provides local news and serves as the church's parish magazine.