West Tanfield

infobox UK place
country = England
static_

static_image_caption= West Tanfield from the River Ure bridge
latitude= 54.20478
longitude=-1.58914
official_name =West Tanfield
population =
traditional_county = Yorkshire (North Riding)
shire_district= Hambleton
shire_county= North Yorkshire
region= Yorkshire and the Humber
constituency_westminster= Vale of York
post_town= RIPON
postcode_district = HG4
postcode_area= HG
dial_code=01677
os_grid_reference= SE111978

West Tanfield is a village in North Yorkshire, England. Situated about 6 miles north of Ripon on the A6108, which goes from Ripon into Wensleydale, West Tanfield is on the edge of both the Yorkshire Dales and the Vale of York. It is well known as one of the most picturesque villages in Yorkshire, the view from the bridge over the River Ure is popular amongst tourists, photographers and artists.

The village has a monument called the Marmion Tower, a 15th century gatehouse which belonged to the now vanished manor house formerly home to the Marmion family. At first floor level there is a fine example of an oriel window. The Anglican church next to the tower contains monuments to the Marmion family. The tower is now in the care of English Heritage.

As well as the church (dedicated to St. Nicholas), village services include a primary school which shares the same dedication as the church, two public houses, a petrol station a post office and a Methodist chapel. The Memorial Hall serves as a venue for events in the village and was built as a monument to the men of West Tanfield who died during the two world wars.

West Tanfield had a railway station on the route from Ripon to Masham until the line was closed.

Not far from the village are the Thornborough Henges, known as the 'Stone Henge of the North'. Manor Farm is all that remains of the abandoned medieval village of East Tanfield 1½ miles to the east.

There is a village football team and West Tanfield Cricket Club which was founded in 1907 is situated at Sleningford on the opposite side of the Ure, they play league matches in the Nidderdale and District League and Wensleydale Evening League as well as local knockout cup competitions. There is an annual one-day Cricket Twenty20 knockout competition between West Tanfield, Kirkby Malzeard and two other local teams. It was most recently won by Matty Pickles' Kirkby Malzeard.