This is the site of the deserted medieval village of Thornley. It stands to the north of Thornley Hall. A group of well-preserved earthwork enclosures can be seen, as well as fields containing ridge and furrow. The history of the manor is well known from the mid-12th century onwards. This is a Scheduled Monument protected by law.

Earthwork and buried remains of Old Thornley deserted Medieval settlement, open field system and hollow way located 110 metres north of Thornley Hall Farm, East Durham. Part of the settlement is still currently occupied. The plan is of parallel tofts with crofts to rear facing the village green, which has been destroyed by a tarmac road leading from the A181 to Thornley Hall, a farm track and a post medieval encroachment by farm buildings. West of the settlement area are the remains of ridge and furrow open fields. Leading from the present farm track is a deep hollow way. Scheduled. Medieval enclosures, a mound and boundary banks are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs.