There is some evidence of an Iron Age settlement on top of nearby Burton Moor that has been designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument. It consists of about eighteen hut circles and defined fields. The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book as just Burton. The topynomy of the village is derived from the Old Englishburh-tūn meaning a fortified farm. Until the 17th century the village was known as Burton in Bishopdale. "West" distinguishes the village from the village of Constable Burton, to the east, also known simply as Burton in the early Middle Ages. At the time of the Norman invasion the village was part of the manor belonging to Thorkil, but afterwards the manor was granted to Geoffrey of Swaffham by Count Alan of Brittany, who had been awarded the lands by the Crown. West Burton was a manor or township of the ancient parish of Aysgarth, and was always coupled with Walden. The manor befell the same fate as other lands belonging to Geoffrey in that they eventually passed to Richard Duke of Gloucester in 1480. Thereafter the descent of the manor followed that of Castle Bolton into the 19th century. The village used to be an important market town and the octagonal market cross and stocks are still seen today on the village green. Burton-cum-Walden became a separate civil parish in 1866.
West Burton lies within the Yorkshire Dales National Park on the B6160 road to Addingham. Two other roads leave the village, both dead ends, but one leads to the two hamlets of Walden and Walden Head. The villages of Aysgarth, Newbiggin and Thoralby are all about a mile from the village. West Burton lies near the mouth of Bishopdale and at the mouth of Waldendale, the valley through which Walden Beck runs. Walden Beck runs north past the eastern edge of the village to join Bishopdale Beck on its way to the River Ure. Cauldron Force or Falls,, is a small waterfall in the village. It is only a short walk from the centre of the green.
Demography
Population figures are for the whole parish of Burton-cum-Walden.
Population
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-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Year
1881
1891
1901
1911
1921
1931
1951
1961
2001
2011
Total
444
425
367
314
385
367
294
266
311
303
2001 census
The 2001 UK census showed that the population was split 48.5% male to 51.5% female. The religious constituency was made of 72.3% Christian and the rest stating no religion or not stating at all. The ethnic make-up was 98.7% White British and 1.3% White other. There were 178 dwellings.
2011 census
The 2011 UK census showed that the population was split 48.8% male to 51.2% female. The religious constituency was made of 66.7% Christian, 0.3% Jewish, 0.3% Buddhist, 1.6% Hindu and the rest stating no religion or not stating at all. The ethnic make-up was 94.4% White British, 1.3% Mixed Ethnic, 2.3% Asian British and 2.0% each White Other. There were 192 dwellings.
Community and culture
Education in the village is provided at West Burton Primary school. The school was built in 1873. Pupils receive secondary education at The Wensleydale School & Sixth Form in Leyburn. There are a number of local businesses including a butchers shop, a small pottery, general store and a public house.
The Wesleyan and Independent Methodists both built chapels in the village in 1813 and 1851 respectively. The Wesleyan Methodist chapel was rebuilt in 1898.
