World of James Herriot
The original Skeldale House in James Herriot’s stories of life as a country vet in North Yorkshire, World of James Herriot at 23 Kirkgate Thirsk should be your starting point for any visit to Herriot Country. Learn all about the man, his family, the people he worked with, and the places he visited and from where his stories evolved. With two National Parks, two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, pretty hamlets, villages, market towns and great cities to explore you’ll understand why Alf Wight (James Herriot) was so happy to make this his home…
Geoff Moore Visits Herriot Country
Geoff Moore visited Herriot Country with a group travel operators as guests of Herriot Country Tourism Group. Enjoy Geoff’s independent view of Herriot Country where some of the attractions, accommodation, cafes, tea-rooms, restaurants and pubs were experienced along the way. Herriot Country Tourism Group hosted the event with partners in the area including Hambleton District Council, Northallerton Business Improvement District, Classic Lodges Hotels, Confederation of Passenger Transport, Barkers of Northallerton, Lewis and Cooper Northallerton, Kiplin Hall and Gardens, Thorp Perrow Gardens and Arboretum and World of James Herriot.
Discover Hambleton
Hambleton is Herriot Country’s home territory where a host of locations can have you flying high in a glider, hang-gliding off a cliff, shooting along a zipwire, drop you into a gorge, balance on an aerial assault course, climb a rockface, ride on horseback, zoom on quad bikes – get moving, there’s so much more…
Discover the outdoors of Hambleton today…
All Creatures Great and Small
All Creatures Great and Small was one of BBC’s most loved TV series of its period and ran from 1978 to 1990. It has been reborn on Channel 5 TV to new audiences and much acclaim. It attracted more than three million viewers to the first episode and is Channel Five’s most popular new show since 2016. . The series is also being screened in North America by Masterpiece on PBS and there is renewed interest in all things connected with James Herriot (Alf Wight OBE) whose stories are set in North Yorkshire’s Dales, Moors and hinterland and follow the goings-on at a family run vets practice. Nicholas Ralph who plays James Herriot in the new series visited the World of James Herriot with Rachel Shenton who plays his on screen wife Helen. Images of their visit with producer James Dean can be seen here…
National Parks in Herriot Country
North York Moors National Park, The Yorkshire Dales National Park, The Howardian Hills and Nidderdale Areas of Natural Beauty, the Yorkshire Coast and North Riding Forest Park (Dalby Forest) give you the countryside at its best in Herriot Country. Lakes and waterfalls, tumbling streams, hills and valleys, rich farmland, field barns, heather uplands, drystone walls and old stone villages and fabulous views. Alf Wight (James Herriot) had his favourites and none more that the view from the top of Sutton Bank of which he said is: “The Finest View in England”.
Natural Herriot Country
Internationally important peatlands that host rare plants and support bird species such as curlews are vital for water quality, carbon storage and lowland raised bogs that are in good condition improve flood risk. It is a habitat for wildlife and natural plant life including bilberry, crowberry, heather and other rare species. There’s a ’mucky-mouth pie’ made with bilberries which is baked in Yorkshire pudding batter, try it and you’ll soon discover where its name originates as the bilberries leave the tell-tale that you have eaten it!
Racing in Herriot Country
Catterick, Ripon, Wetherby, Thirsk and York racecourses are a sure bet for an exciting day out for seasoned punters, ‘lads and lasses’ on days out, corporate entertaining and family outings. The trill of the race, the beauty of the thoroughbred horses and the atmosphere of the spectacle are captured at these tracks in Herriot Country. At Thirsk there’s an annual James Herriot ‘All Creatures Great & Small’ Family Day in August and where there’s also a banqueting suite named after James Herriot and it’s where he and Siegfried Farnon spent many a race meeting.
Touring Herriot Country
Begin at the World of James Herriot in Thirsk and learn about the life, work and books of vet and author Alf Wight OBE (James Herriot). Once armed with Herriot’s ‘back story’ you can begin your journey through Herriot Country to see first-hand some of the stunning countryside, market towns and famous historical landmarks that James Herriot loved. There are several ‘Herriot Tours’ specialists who can take you on a detailed visit either in a group or on a bespoke tour either from a central point such as York or collect you directly from your Herriot Country accommodation. See the members section of this site.
TV and Film Locations in Herriot Country
James Herriot’s stories were based on the real people and places of his beloved North Yorkshire and when it came to the making of the films and TV series producers found so many locations in the area to make them authentic. An ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ locations guide is available so you can visit some of the key locations from the original television series and now there are more places to see from the 2020 remake. It’s your opportunity to immerse yourself in Herriot nostalgia, beautiful countryside and delicious food. The new series is on Channel 5 from autumn 2020. See more…
Exclusive Offer
Win a Visit to Herriot Country
Tell us why you love Herriot Country and get the chance to win a visit! Meet the Herriot Country characters who welcome thousands of guests every year, tour the World of James Herriot and meet James Herriot’s son and daughter and the Yorkshire Vets.(T&C’s Apply)