Townscape
The town lies in the Vale of Mowbray, 23 miles (37 km) north of York. Cod Beck runs through the centre of Thirsk - the area to the east of the river is called Old Thirsk.
Thirsk is built around a large medieval market square, which still hosts an open-air market each Monday and Saturday. Thirsk has a museum and the 15th century church of St Mary's. It is commonly said that Thirsk also has a hospital, cinema, town hall and swimming pool, but all four are actually located in the adjoining village of Sowerby.
The Ritz Cinema on Westgate, Sowerby is a small 200 seat (100 stalls, 100 balcony) cinema run by volunteers. It dates back to 1912 and is probably one of Britain's oldest operating cinemas. It shows in a period setting most of the current films and is run for residents and visitors to Thirsk and the local villages by a dedicated team of volunteers. In March 2012, the Ritz installed Digital projection equipment, purchased under a Digital Print Scheme through the Cinema Exhibitors Association CEA.
The racecourse at Thirsk is a leading venue for horseracing on the flat in the spring and summer months.
The market square adjacent to the clock tower was featured in the artwork to Pulps 1995 album "Different Class".
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The Ritz Cinema
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The Darrowby Inn, Thirsk
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St Mary's Church
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The veterinary surgery (office) of James Herriot, now the World of James Herriot museum, is a popular attraction
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