Grassington is the new Darrowby in the Channel 5 TV series All Creatures Great and Small and it offers visitors an interesting and attractive place to visit on a tour of Herriot Country. The village has been a well-known and much-loved part of Herriot Country in North Yorkshire and is at the centre of the rural community in the Yorkshire Dales near Skipton.

Grassington’s main cobbled square is the focul point for a lovely range of independent retailers, coffee shops, pubs, restaurants, hotels and with its stone cottage buildings, the village atmosphere was just right for the All Creatures Great and Small series to replicate Thirsk, the original Darrowby of the period in which James Herriot’s stories are set.

The Grassington Folk Museum is run by volunteers and houses a collection which tells the story of Wharfedale. There’s also the Yorkshire Dales National Park information centre on Hebden Road.

Several festivals are held during the year including the Grassington Festival, a splendid arts and music event in June, a 1940’s theme weekend in September and its celebrated Grassington Christmas Markets in December.

Magnificent walks await you starting from the village, such as along the River Wharfe on the Dales Way, over Grassington Moor for a more energetic walk to see the lead mining remains or other charming villages nearby and, there’s a Grassington Riverside and Woods leaflet trail available at the National Park Centre which is excellent and a good start for first time visitors. One of the most popular routes is a circular walk that includes Burnsall. You’ll also be pleased to know that, based in Grassington, Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association, is a voluntary mountain rescue organisation which rescues people in trouble on the surrounding fells and in caves.

When you see James Herriot, Tristan and Siegfried Farnon on the TV series in their period cars and settings, you’ll easily recognise Grassington and the beautiful landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales. Alf Wight OBE (James Herriot) was captivated by it all and made it his home from where his wonderful stories emerged that we are still enjoying so much today.

Remember to take a circular tour of Herriot Country beginning in Grassington, using our suggested All Creatures Great and Small locations trail and visit the original home and surgery in Thirsk at the World of James Herriot.

Photography Credit: Channel 5 TV and Playground Productions