Thurnby village proper is set to the south of the A47, just after it leaves the city.

To the west is Evington and Thurnby Lodge in Leicester proper, to the north is Scraptoft and to the south and east are open countryside – the next villages in these directions are Stoughton and Houghton on the Hill.

Thurnby is not mentioned in the Domesday Book, possibly being considered part of Stoughton, but is recorded by the 13th century.

There is now only one public house, The Rose & Crown, as The Swallow has since closed.

There is a large Scout and Guide group, situated on Court Road.