The two villages, both mentioned in Magna Carta, are a mile or two apart in an area of mostly arable farming and cattle grazing on the water meadows through which the River Dove flows.

Originally built in the 14th century to replace a 12th-century church, with a Decorated chancel and Perpendicular additions and a green man carved above the porch entrance, it was extensively remodelled in the 1850s in Victorian Gothic style.

The stained glass includes work by William Miller from the 1850s and W. G. Taylor from the 1880s, and one by Morris and Co reusing figures by Edward Burne Jones of St John flanked by the two Marys as they would stand at the foot of the Cross.

After the First World War most of the estate was sold and the 95-room hall was first let, then reduced greatly in size and the remainder adapted as a modern house.

[3][7] Thornham Walks are open to the public; the 19th-century glass houses have been restored and the walled garden redesigned by Peter Thoday as an orchard for training people with disabilities.