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Tibthorpe is one of the smallest parishes in the East Riding of Yorkshire. It is situated five miles to the west of Driffield on the edge of the Wolds, between the villages of Bainton to the south and Wetwang to the north. The village has a long history stretching back to the Doomsday Book, when it was known as Tibetorp, and beyond.

It is said that centuries ago monks from Watton Abbey roamed the pastures around the village with their sheep and were able to rest in a 'chapel of ease' which was situated in the village.

Approximately one hundred and fifty people make up the population of Tibthorpe, their homes having beautiful views over the surrounding countryside. High Wood and Low Wood to the south are a haven for wildlife. In recent years deer have arrived. These shy creatures may sometimes be seen and have been known to stray onto the road, startling passing motorists. Another surprise for travellers at the entrance to High Wood is the ghostly figure of a woman. She has caused motorists to slow down, only to disappear before their eyes!

The photograph on the right (from the 1920's?) is a view of the centre of the village looking down Main Street. The pond was filled in in the late 1940's with rubble from the Prisoner of War camp that was situated in a paddock just off to the right of the picture. Main Street is the longest street in the village, a narrow lane that winds uphill to the west and then continues from the village climbing steadily to the village of Huggate five miles away.

The centre of the village is at the bottom of Main Street, close to the junction with the B1248. There is now a wide tree-lined grass verge in the centre of the village. This is the closest Tibthorpe can claim to a 'village green'. The War Memorial, which is beautifully cared for by two local residents, is on the corner of Main Street and Well Lane.

Well Lane, as its name suggests, was the site of one of the village wells and the well is still remembered by one or two of the older residents.

There is no pub in the village or school or church, although there was a Methodist Chapel, built in 1823, which was demolished some years ago along with a number of 18th century cottages so that so-called 'road improvements' could be carried out!

Butts Lane, a short lane at the south of the village, takes its name from the medieval archers who practiced their skills close by. It has also been known as Thornton Street, when an inn - Thornton's Inn - was located there. As well as warming the heart with a pint of beer, Thornton's Inn also supplied coal! A family of Hugenots, (persecuted French Protestants, who escaped to north-east England in the 1680's) occupied a house in Butts Lane.

Many years ago several small businesses flourished. A cobbler, fishmonger, milkman, butcher and fruiterer as well as a village store and blacksmith. Even fish and chips were sold from the porch of a house on Main Street!

The following extract is taken from Bulmer's History and Directory of East Yorkshire (1892)
TIBTHORPE township contains 2,885 acres of land lying along the eastern acclivity of the Wolds. The surface is generally elevated, and the soil of a lighter quality than that in the rest of the parish. The township is valued for rating purposes at £2,882, and had at the last enumeration 278 inhabitants. The Earl of Londesborough, who is also lord of the manor; Sir Tatton Sykes, Bart., D.L.; Mr. A. Botterill, Garton-on-the-Wolds; Mr. R. Harrison, Driffield; Simpson Staveley Esq., Tibthorpe; Mr. W. Harrison, Tibthorpe; D. Dent Esq., Rispin Mr. J. Loadman, Helmsley; and Mr. J. Harrison, Tibthorpe, are the principal landowners. The village is situated about one mile west of Kirkburn, and five miles south-west of Driffield.

(Thank you to Audrey Baxter for contributing to this page)

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