The name Darley means "Deer-glade", "ley" is derived from "leah" which means woodland glade or clearing; while Menwith is derived from the Norse for Wood or "Wood on a Hill". Darley was one of the many settlements that were included in "The Forest of Knaresborough"; and even today some Land Deeds include the 12th Century right permitting the Lord of the Forest of Knaresborough to chase deer across the gardens of the village.
Records of 1230 refer to Corn and Hay tithes being paid by surrounding villages but not by the people of Darley, from this it has been suggested that Darley was not an area of arable farming at that time. In the early 1300s the Black Death hit many of the families in and around the settlement known as Darley. 
During the next few centuries Darley became an area of arable farming like many of the villages within the Forest of Knaresborough. However, by the early 16th Century Darley''s open fields were becoming enclosed. In 1634 Darley was on the main road between Ripon and Skipton although much of the time the road was impassable.
In 1860 construction of the railway line from Harrogate to Pateley Bridge was started and it took just under two years to complete. However Darley did not get its Station until a few years later. Today only the embankment and its access tunnels running alongside the southern river bank reveal its route, while the road to the playing fields - "Station Road" and "Station Lane House" on Main Street, suggest former busier railway days. A census of 1861 showed there were 650 inhabitants of Menwith with Darley.
Local Industries were often powered by water. This is still evident in the millponds, buildings, and landscape around today and can be seen at Darley Mill and the former Fringill Mill. Care must be taken to retain this Industrial heritage. Religion has always played an important part in village life. The Methodist chapel, built in 1829 and Christ Church, now extended beyond the original Anglican chapel of 1849 are both still in use today. In former times, there was also active a Primitive Methodist Chapel (1841) - now a converted private house. There is also a Friends Meeting House, evidence of what was a strong and significant Quaker presence throughout the Dale. The 1991 Census showed a population of 1490 with a healthy mix of 560 (38%) up to the age of 24, 709 (47%) from 25 to 59 and 229 (15%) from 60 to 90+.
Darley has developed closely along the Main Street that runs east to west for approximately 2km. There are buildings in clusters from the late medieval times through to the Georgian and Victorian era to the post-war developments in the village. Darley is a working village, with farm vehicles and animals often seen moving along the local roads. It is not unusual to see animals looking over the dry stone walls that line much of the village. As well as enjoying distant views and hills we are very fortunate to have many green spaces, hedges and tree lined vistas that provide an even greater sense of openness and space throughout the village. The village has won many awards in the "Britain in Bloom" competitions with flowers and colourful planters and hanging baskets enhancing this unique village. On one of the greens today the village stocks may still be seen. Like many other villages, over the years Darley has lost its Butcher and General Store and the Prospect Public House in the centre of the village has closed.
Extracts from the Village Design Statement for Darley