[1] He attended the private Kimbolton School in Cambridgeshire (1972–82), before leaving to study for a BA degree in History at Bedford College (1982–85).
Whilst working on his doctoral research, he took up a post as Inspector of Ancient Monuments for English Heritage (1988–90), later becoming Curator of Historic Royal Palaces (1989–97) and director of the Museum of London (1997 to March 2002).
[2] He also appeared as an expert in a number of episodes of the long-running Channel 4 archaeological programme Time Team.
In 2002, at the age of 39, Thurley was appointed Chief Executive of English Heritage; his relative youth at taking this post led him to be dubbed a "boy wonder".
[6][7] He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2011 Birthday Honours for services to conservation.