Thirsk Tourist Information

12/09/2026

We’ve been asked who can join this one… and the answer is EVERYONE! 🎨✨ It’s a fun, creative workshop for all ages, so come along and get involved!

Join us for Quentin Blake Inspired Illustrations. Dive into the wonderfully quirky world of Roald Dahl and create your own characters using loose, expressive watercolours and scratchy fine liners. 🖌️📖

No experience needed, just bring your imagination and have fun experimenting!

Date: Sunday 13 September
Time: 10:30am -12:30pm
📍 RURAL ARTS
Tickets: £12

Tickets available online or on the day, book first to avoid disappointment: https://www.ruralarts.org/whats-on/at-the-courthouse/bookmarked-quentin-blake-inspired-illustration/

Come along, get creative and let your imagination run wild! 🌈

Bookmarked Thirsk is funded by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority through the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund, led by David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

11/09/2026

11/09/2026

Something wonderfully whimsical is happening in Thirsk… 🎟️🍫

This Sunday is Roald Dahl Day, and we’re celebrating with a little bit of Dahl-inspired magic! ✨📚

We’re hiding Golden Tickets around our Bookmarked venues in Thirsk… but can you find one? 👀

Lucky for some, and lucky for many, as there’s more than one Golden Ticket waiting to be discovered!

🎟️ Find a Golden Ticket
📍 Take it to RURAL ARTS
📚 Exchange it for a surprise Roald Dahl book!

Please note: it’s one book per child, so no sneaky collecting all seven! 😉

If you’re attending one of our events, or simply exploring, keep your eyes peeled around our Bookmarked venues and see if you can uncover one of the Golden Tickets. You never know what you might find… 🎩✨

And a little extra sprinkle of magic to our very own Dove Armistead for the wonderfully whimsical artwork bringing this Golden Ticket hunt to life! 🎨✨

Will you find a Golden Ticket? 👀🎟️

You can book all of our Bookmarked events on our website: https://www.ruralarts.org/whats-on/

Bookmarked Thirsk is funded by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority through the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund, led by David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

08/09/2026

HERITAGE OPEN DAYS
11 -20 September

Powered by thousands of dedicated volunteers, this festival grants the public free access to thousands of historic venues, hidden sites, and cultural experiences across England.

It offers a unique opportunity to explore places that are usually closed to the public or normally charge an entry fee, bringing local history to life through guided tours, exhibitions, and interactive workshops.

Near Thirsk, visitors can enjoy a variety of participating heritage venues:

Thirsk Museum
Situated in the birthplace of Thomas Lord (founder of Lord’s Cricket Ground), this museum showcases regional history, traditional rural life, and local folklore – including the infamous Busby Stoop Chair.

St Mary's Church
A stunning 15th-century Grade I listed parish church featuring striking Perpendicular Gothic architecture, intricate wood carvings, and guided bell-tower tours.

The Ritz Cinema
One of the oldest continuously running projection houses in the country, providing behind-the-scenes insights into classic cinema heritage.

Byland Abbey (Coxwold)
Outstanding Cistercian ruins nearby offering specialised guided tours exploring medieval monastic life, architecture, and historical archaeology.

See the website for days, times and over 100 other places near Thirsk.

www.heritageopendays.org.uk

08/09/2026

Sunday 13 September
BOOKMARKED THIRSK - SUNDAY

Quentin Blake Inspired Illustrations. 10:30am-12:30pm | £12. Illustration | Jacquie Sheffield at Rural Arts.

Once Upon a Fairytale. 2pm-3:30pm | £9. Family Theatre | Storycraft Theatre, at Rural Arts.

Roald Dahl: Matilda The Musical Singalong. 2:30pm-5pm | £9-£11. Family Theatre | Interactive Screening. The Ritz Cinema.

Stu Freestone: The Lights That Blur Between. 6pm-8pm | £13-£14.50. Interactive Performance. Live Music, Poetry, Workshop. At Rural Arts.
To book tickets
Tel: 01845 526536
email: [email protected]
www.ruralarts.org

08/09/2026

Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September
Annual Book Fair, at Baldersby St. James Church. YO7 4PT.
This Book Fair has been running for many years and has huge numbers of Books covering Fact and Fiction. None are priced, volunteers rely on donations towards the church fabric repairs. Have a wonderful time collecting books for winter reading. Refreshments in the cafe.
Everyone very welcome. Anyone with clean books to donate can leave them in the church before Saturday please.
10am to 5pm. Free Entry.
email: [email protected]
www.baldersbychurch.com

08/09/2026

Friday 11 until Sunday 13 September
Holy Wells Retreat, Holy Rood House, Centre for Health & Pastoral Care, 10 Sowerby Rd. Thirsk YO7 1HX.
Led by Revds Sue Hammersley and Sibylle Batten. Back by popular demand - a chance to visit some of the Holy Wells in North Yorkshire. Trips on the mini-bus, talks and seeing the beautiful countryside.
Tickets: 01845522580
email: [email protected]
www.holyroodhouse.org.uk

08/09/2026

Saturday 12 September
Repair your stuff, Thirsk and Sowerby Town Hall, Westgate YO7 1QS. CHANGE OF VENUE for this Saturday.
Be greener by avoiding waste and save money by letting a team of dedicated and talented volunteers try to repair your broken or “worn-out” items; cost is a voluntary donation10am-1pm, last repair 12.30pm. Free, donations welcome.
For further details or if you would like to volunteer, email: [email protected]
10am-1pm, last repair 12.30pm.

08/09/2026

Saturday 12 September
Silver Pendant Necklace, Rural Arts, The Courthouse, 4 Westgate, Thirsk YO7 1QS.
Have fun making your own silver necklace. You will learn how to use basic jewellery making tools to cut and connect your shapes and how to apply different techniques to create textures and patterns on your silver pendant.
10am - 1pm. £55.
Book online
email: [email protected]
www.ruralarts.org/whats-on/workshops/pendant-necklace/

08/09/2026

Saturday 12 September
Ritz Heritage Open Day, Ritz Cinema, Westgate, Thirsk YO7 1QS. “31 Years & Still Counting”.
Free Guided tours on the hour from 10am until 4pm (last tour 3pm) Numbers limited to 20 per tour - no booking, just turn up at the Ritz Cinema.
See Ritz and Heritage Open Days websites for more information.
www.ritzcinema.co.uk