How to find us

Rural Arts is committing to reducing our impact on the environment. We encourage you to visit The Courthouse on foot, by cycle or via public transport if possible!

On foot / by cycle

There is bicycle rack’s located at Thirsk’s marketplace, only a short walk from The Courthouse. Leaving the marketplace via Castlegate, head towards the Ritz Cinema. Turn right onto Westgate. You will pass Thirsk Town Hall on your left. After a few metres, you will reach The Courthouse. 

Coming from Thirsk Station, walk down Carlton Road/A61 towards Thirsk Racecourse. You will pass the Tesco Superstore, where there are more bicycle racks. At the fourth roundabout take the 1st exit onto Westgate. You will then reach The Courthouse.

By Bus

There are four bus stops less than 5 minutes walk from The Courthouse: The Maltings, Sowerby Terrace, Tesco Store and Market Place. Buses travel to Thirsk Station, Northallerton, Ripon, York and beyond.

You can plan your specific journey with traveline.info or Google Maps. Some specific journeys are detailed below.

York:

Take the 30/30X from York, alighting at The Maltings. When returning to York, board the 30/30X at Sowerby Terrace. You can also use this route is travelling to/from Easingwold.

Northallerton:

Take the 70/153 from Northallerton, alighting at Tesco Store, Thirsk. When returning to Northallerton, board the 153 from the Tesco Store bus stop, or the 70 at Thirsk Market Place bus stop.

Ripon:

Take the 70 from Ripon, alighting at Thirsk Market Place bus stop. When returning to Ripon, board to 70 from the Tesco Store bus stop.

By Train

Thirsk is around 15 minutes on the train from places like York and Northallerton. Thirsk train station is 20 minutes’ walk from Thirsk town centre, where you will find The Courthouse. 

Alternatively, you can take the 70 or 153 bus between Thirsk train station and the town centre. These services run 3 or 4 times per day so do check timetables before travelling.

The telephone numbers for local taxi services are available online and at the station, although there is no taxi rank at Thirsk train station.

By Car

The Courthouse is on Westgate, which can be accessed from Station Road (A61), Castlegate (A61), Chapel Street and Topcliffe Road (B1448).

The Courthouse is at the heart of North Yorkshire, being around a:

  • 30 minute drive from Middlesbrough via A19
  • 40 minute drive from York via the A19
  • 40 minute drive from Harrogate via A61 or A1 (M)
  • 1 hour drive from Selby via A1 (M) or A19
  • 1 hour drive from Skipton via A59
  • 1 hour 30 minute drive from Scarborough via A170 or A64

Electric Car Recharging locations

There are a number of recharging point dotted around Thirsk. The closest would be located at the Tesco Superstore. However there are several more here:

  • Millgate Car Park, Marage Road, YO7 1PE (Electric)
  • Bridge Street, YO7 1AD
  • Market Place, YO7 1EY
  • Hollin Barn Lodge Park Ltd, YO7 2ER
  • Shell Recharge Gristhwaite, YO7 3HN
  • Starbucks Topcliffe A168, YO7 3HN
  • Maple Park Chargers, YO7 4SA

Car Parking

We do not offer customer parking in our car park, but we have limited space available for Blue Badge holders. If you would like to reserve a space, please email admin@ruralarts.org in advance or call 01845 526 536 on the day.

There are several local car parks in Thirsk within walking distance of Rural Arts. We’ve suggested a few in the map below. You can also find street parking in places like Sowerby Road. If you are parking within a disc zone, discs can often be found at Thirsk Tourist Information or at our reception upon request. For more details on car parking, you can find out more on their website. 

Please note that the Tesco car park is customers only and limited to 3 hours.