Rydal was originally contained within the large Grasmere Parish, until it gained parish status in 1826. The name Rydal is derived from Old Norse meaning "valley where rye was grown" and is first mentioned in 1240. Its ancient manor boundary was described in 1274 and the Rydal Park dates from 1277.

The village is sited on a long established trade route from Ambleside to Keswick, via Nook Lane - Low Sweden Bridge - Rydal Hall - below Nab Scar - White Moss - Town End.
Formation of the medieval deer park in the 13th century has had a marked effect on village development as the parkland is devoid of any building or settlement. Trade developed initially with packhorses along the old route and later in the 18th century with the turnpike road which followed the valley bottom land. Between the 16th and 17th centuries Rydal had the following village facilities, albeit scattered rather than in a compact group: Hall, farms and cottages; 3 inns; fulling mill; corn mill; smithy and school.

Farmsteads were originally at Hart Head, Rydal Mount, Hall Bank and Cote How, but the function of most buildings has changed over the last two centuries. Hart Head is a fine 17th century farmhouse at the top end of the village, but no longer in farming use.
Nearby Rydal Mount dates from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. It is a Grade 1 listed building mainly due to it being William Wordsworth's home from 1813 until his death in 1850. Rash Field between the church and Rydal Mount was purchased by Wordsworth and renamed in memory of his daughter Dora.
Beside the turnpike road, the Glen Rothay Hotel was originally "David's Inn", which was later enlarged and became the residence of Theodore Fry MP.

Both historically and visually the Hall is the key building in Rydal. The important Le Fleming family can be traced back to 1126, and possibly linked with the 1066 Conquest. With Sir Thomas Le Fleming marrying Isabella of the de Lancaster family, a large area near Coniston and Rydal was inherited. Originally the family lived at Coniston Hall, a fine Elizabethan mansion, and later they came to Rydal in 1575 to the "Old Hall" which was built on a knoll beside the present main road. In 1681 it was described as "now in ruins".

The "New" Hall was built by the first Sir Michael Le Fleming in the 16th century, enlarged in the 17th century, altered and refaced in the 18th century, with the main front dating from the early 19th century. Not only is it a fine building architecturally and is listed as Grade II along with the terraces, bridges, summerhouses and outbuildings, but it occupies a magnificent landscape setting.

Also on the main road opposite the Old Reading Room is Rydal Cottage (now known as The Manor Cottage) once the home of Mary L Armitt, the well known historian who wrote about Ambleside, Rydal and Grasmere.
Cote How (originally Coat Howe) is one of the oldest buildings in the area with parts possibly dating from the 15th century. A medieval fulling mill was probably sited nearby.

Rydal has seen very little change over the past 150 years and indeed since the 1st edition of the as 6" map in 1859 there have only been five new dwellings, and these were built about the turn of. the century; Hart Head Cottages, Garden Cottage, Steps End Cottages, Cote Howe Cottages and the Vicarage (now Rydal Holme). The whole village and its landscape setting are clearly a legacy of the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Society's purpose is to represent all residents of the parish of Rydal and Loughrigg, and to act as an action group for the benefit of the community.

The society is open to all residents, and is intentionally very informal in its organisation. It meets about once a month, usually in the Glen Rothay Hotel.