Thirsk is a little market community and also civil parish in the Hambleton area of North Yorkshire, England. Historically part of the North Riding of Yorkshire, it is 8 miles (13 kilometres) south-south east of the county town of Northallerton. According to the 2011 UK Census, the population was 4,998. Thirsk is a popular tourist location close to the Yorkshire Dales and also the North York Moors. It was the residence of author James Herriot and birthplace of Thomas Lord, after whom Lord's Cricket Ground is called. Thirsk Racecourse gets on the western edge of the town. Thirsk is developed around a huge middle ages market square, which still hosts an outdoor market each Monday and also Saturday. The market was developed in 1145 as well as is the centerpiece for neighborhood farmers, investors as well as visitors. The community was once understood for its leather tanning and also saddlery profession, yet this was replaced in the 19th century by the manufacturing of farming applies. This was helped by the facility of the Mechanics Institute in 1848. Thirsk has numerous facilities for tourists. The contemporary economy is based upon friendliness, tourist, public administration, finance, manufacturing, building and construction, agriculture, small commercial, retail and solution organisations. It is house to online merchant VetUK. Tourism is an integral part of the economic climate, with holiday accommodations, restaurants and also pubs in addition to destinations that motivate visitors.