Thornton Rust is a village and civil parish in North Yorkshire, England. It lies in the Yorkshire Dales about 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Aysgarth, high on the south bank of the River Ure in Wensleydale.

The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 by the name Toreton. At the time of the Norman invasion the manor belonged to Thor, but afterwards was granted to Count Alan of Brittany. A mesne lordship was held here by Sybil of Thornton in 1286, but the head tenant of the manor was Robert de Tateshall, who was also lord of Thorlaby manor. The descent of Thornton Rust manor followed that of Thoralby into the 19th century.

The toponymy of the village name is derived from the combination of the Old English words of þorn and tūn, which gave the meaning of Thorn tree farm, and partly it is said from Bishop Restitutus, to whom the medieval chapel was claimed to have been dedicated, though evidence is lacking. The chapel no longer exists.

The village lies within the Richmond UK Parliament constituency. It also lies within the Upper Dales electoral division of North Yorkshire County Council and the Addlebrough ward of Richmondshire District Council.

The civil parish shares a grouped parish council with the civil parishes of Aysgarth, Bishopdale, Newbiggin and Thoralby, known as Aysgarth & District Parish Council.

The village is at an elevation of 870 feet (270 m) at its highest. The River Ure and the A684 are 0.5 miles (0.8 km) to the north. The village of Aysgarth is 2.5 miles (4 km) to the south-east and Bainbridge 2.6 miles (4.2 km) to the north-west. It is a typical linear village on top of a limestone scar.

Population
Year	1881	1891	1901	1911	1921	1931	1951	1961	2001	2011
Total	143	121	110	112	108	125	127	142	135	107

The 2001 UK census showed that the population was split 50% male to 50% female. The religious constituency was made of 78.4% Christian and the rest stating no religion or not stating at all. The ethnic make-up was 97.7% White British and 2.3% White other. There were 57 dwellings.

The 2011 UK census showed that the population was split 51.4% male to 48.6% female. The religious constituency was made of 78.5% Christian and the rest stating no religion or not stating at all. The ethnic make-up was 98.1% White British and 1.9% each White Other. There were 63 dwellings.

The village has a bus service which is operated by the Little White Bus and goes between Hawes and Leyburn. More Services can be reached from the nearby villages of Aysgarth and Worton.

Media related to Thornton Rust at Wikimedia Commons