Methodism took root in Sowerby with
the first premises registered for worship
in 1816.
Despite some early opposition to
non-conformism, the church flourished and
the present building was erected in 1865
to replace other premises in Back Lane.
Later a school room was built
on the back of the Church
and this was further extended in 1925.
The Church was renovated
and rededicated in 1997.

At the heart of Sowerby village is
Front Street, with its avenue of English
lime trees planted in 1887 to commemorate
the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria.
By that time Front Street had already been
developed with larger Georgian and
Victorian houses built by the wealthier
families moving out of Thirsk's busier and
more congested town centre.
The village greens which enhance either
side of Front Street were bought for the
community by the Parish Council in 1986
and were subsequently given statutory
protection by acquiring the status of
Registered Common Land.
Present day management of the village
greens is subject to the local bye-laws.

From about 1140 until the middle of the
19th century St. Oswald's was a Norman
chapel serving a village.
The tower was added in the 15th century.
The chapel was rebuilt and enlarged in 1842
but as the village grew the Church needed
to be further enlarged in 1902.
Of the earlier Norman foundation
only the south wall of the Nave remains,
together with the fine South Doorway,
which has a medieval oak door.
The Church contains a number of
extremely beautiful stained glass windows.

Starting from the 1798 enclosures,
Sowerby Flatts was an area of
open grazing land.
It was purchased by the community in 1959
and today it is a place for recreation
and outdoor activities, as well as
continuing to provide some grazing
for sheep and cattle.

Originally purchased to preserve the view
across to the Hambleton Hills from
her house, the field was given by Miss Warner
to the Flatts Preservation Trust in 1976.
Since 2002 a scheme for the restoration
of native plant species has been
carried out in the area.

The hospital was founded in 1890 by
Mrs. Sarah Lambert of Sowerby, in memory
of her husband and his father,
William Lambert, an eminent local doctor.
Now part of the NHS it is supported
locally by the League of Friends of
the Lambert Hospital, a registered charity,
which raises funds to provide extra
equipment and facilities.

Rural Arts is an independent charity
based in The Old Courthouse which works
with children, young people and community
groups across North Yorkshire to bring
accessible, creative opportunities
to all age and abilities.
The building dates from 1885.

The bridge, built in 1672, is Grade II
listed by English Heritage.
It is a single span stone bridge
which formed part of the transport network
when pack horses were used to convey
goods around the country carrying heavy
loads in panniers strapped
to either side of their body.

This Scheduled Ancient Monument
is a burial site dating back to the period
between 2400 - 1500 B.C.
It is an example of a relatively large
and well preserved burial mound
of the "bowl barrow" type.

Established in 1957 as Thirsk Grammar
and Modern School, by the North Riding
County Council, to provide secondary
education for children from Thirsk, Sowerby
and the surrounding district.
It became Thirsk School in 1970 and is
now organised as an 11-18 mixed,
comprehensive secondary school.
From 2004 it was renamed as
Thirsk School and Sixth Form College.

This school building was first opened
in 1919 to house Thirsk Grammar School.
When the Grammar School moved out in
1957 the premises were taken over by
Sowerby Junior School.
In 1980, following the closure of
Sowerby Infant School on Front Street
where it had been since 1872, the Junior
and Infant Schools were merged on the
Topcliffe Road site to form
Sowerby County Primary School.
Later the school was renamed
Sowerby Community Primary School.