It is located north of Masham and south of Bedale on the eastern slopes of the Ure Valley at the entrance to Wensleydale and the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Thornton Watlass Church dates from the 15th century and the village also has a primary school and a public house called the Buck Inn.

A prehistoric feature in the Thornton Watlass area is Gospel Hill tumulus, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, at grid reference SE228862 about 1 km northwest of the village.

[6] Before the Norman conquest the Saxon owners of these villages were Ulward and Stan; however Thornton is shown in the Domesday Book as being owned by Ribald, brother of Alan Earl of Richmond.

Specialities include locally brewed real ale, Sunday lunchtime jazz and a large room for conferences and functions.