The Roman road from York to Chester ran through the village and its mark may be seen in the more or less straight run from Birkenshaw to Drighlington traffic lights.

In 1576 Queen Elizabeth I granted Letters of Patent to one James Brooke allowing him to hold a market every second Thursday and two horse and cattle fairs annually.
These fairs took place at the White Hart public house (now demolished).

The village is also the site of the Battle of Adwalton Moor fought on 30 June 1643 in the First English Civil War between the armies of King Charles I and the Parliamentarians.
The Royalist army under the Earl of Newcastle defeated the Parliamentarians under the command of Lord Ferdinando Fairfax and his son Sir Thomas.
There are four commemorative stones with plaques depicting the battle at strategic points around the common and there is an information board on the wall of the community library.

James Margetson, a native of Drighlington, built and endowed the Drighlington Free Grammar School and endowed it (1678).
It was replaced in 1875 by the Drighlington Board School.

St Paul's Church was built in 1878 and the foundation stone was laid by the Lord of the Manor on 9 September 1876.
It is a Grade II listed building.
The Roman road from York to Chester ran through the village and its mark may be seen in the more or less straight run from Birkenshaw to Drighlington traffic lights.
In 1576 Queen Elizabeth I granted Letters of Patent to one James Brooke allowing him to hold a market every second Thursday and two horse and cattle fairs annually. These fairs took place at the White Hart public house (now demolished).
The village is also the site of the Battle of Adwalton Moor fought on 30 June 1643 in the First English Civil War between the armies of King Charles I and the Parliamentarians. The Royalist army under the Earl of Newcastle defeated the Parliamentarians under the command of Lord Ferdinando Fairfax and his son Sir Thomas. There are four commemorative stones with plaques depicting the battle at strategic points around the common and there is an information board on the wall of the community library.
James Margetson, a native of Drighlington, built and endowed the Drighlington Free Grammar School and endowed it (1678). It was replaced in 1875 by the Drighlington Board School.
St Paul's Church was built in 1878 and the foundation stone was laid by the Lord of the Manor on 9 September 1876. It is a Grade II listed building.
Drighlington