The area known as Birdforth was an important part of the North
Riding for many centuries. An early settlement was founded and a church built where the
A19 crosses the Birdforth beck. The foundations of the settlement go back some two
thousand years to the time of St Chad.
In Anglo-Saxon times, warriors from neighbouring tribes would meet here with their weapons
and touch the chief's spear to show allegiance to the king. This is said to be the origin
of the northern word wapentake, which came to mean an administrative subdivision of a
shire, corresponding to the southern hundred. Birdforth wapentake extended north to
Stokesley, east to the Howardian Hills and west to the river Yore (Ure). To the south is
Bulmer wapentake.
When the plague struck, the village was burned, like many others, leaving just the church
standing in isolation.
In 1685 Birdforth Hall was built and the church renovated. In 1875 work was started on a
school to serve the children of the local villagers, and over the years it educated many
families in the area. Their names are still to be found hereabouts. But in 1961 the school
closed when children from small village schools were bussed to larger premises in Thirsk,
Husthwaite or Easingwold.
The old school was at first used by a farmer as a grain store, but in 1983 it was
renovated and reopened as The Gables Restaurant, providing a pleasant out-of-town venue
for anyone wishing an interesting lunch or evening meal.