WHITCLIFFE with-THORPE is a township, comprising the village of Littlethorpe and the hamlet of Whitcliffe, situated about 1 ½ miles south from Ripon, in the Northern division of the Riding, Ripon parish, liberty and union, and county court district. St. Michael’s church, Littlethorpe, erected in 1878 by voluntary contributions, is built of red bricks and contains a very handsome font and a beautiful east window to the memory of Mrs. Worsley, wife of Rev. Canon Worsley: a stained window has been erected by the parishioners to the memory of Mrs. Nunn, wife of the vicar of Ripon. There are a few handsome residences here. Thorpe Lodge, the residence of W. W. Gatliff esq. J.P. is a fine brick building, standing on a lawn, tastefully laid out, with grounds of 120 acres. The manufacture of bricks and tiles is carried on to a great exrent at Littlethorpe, there being two manufactories, each employing many hands. The principal landowners are Lord Grantley, who is lord of the manor, the trustees of the late Charles Rothery esq. J. Denison esq. and W. W. Gatliff esq. J.P. The soil is clayey; subsoil, gravel. The chief crops are wheat and barley. The area is 1,262 acres; gross estimated rental £4,568; rateable value, £3,964; and the population in 1871 was 271.

National school, Littlethorpe, supported by voluntary contributions; Mrs. Mary Hannah Strodder, mistress.