Thornford is in Thornhackett Parish, a combined parish comprising the villages of Thornford and Beer Hackett. The Parish Council comprises seven elected members from Thornford and three from Beer Hackett, all of whom serve a four-year term of office.
Thornford is mentioned in the Domesday Book where it is called Torneford and is listed as belonging to the Bishop of Salisbury.[4] Archeological finds suggest Bronze Age or earlier inhabitation.[5] A Roman villa has been excavated close to the village.[6]