The Parish Council comprises five elected members from the ward Thornford and three from the ward of Beer Hackett which includes Knighton, all of whom serve a four-year term of office.  The next Parish Elections are scheduled for May 2024.  In the meantime the Council can co-opt members to fill casual vacancies.

Thornford village has a general store Ellwoods Store and post office, a pub; The Kings Arms, a primary school, Norman church, a village hall, a recreation field.

Thornford and Beer Hackett Halt railway station is on the Heart of Wessex Line running between Bristol and Weymouth and is within walking distance of both Thornford and Beer Hackett.