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Published 1/2/2026
James Herriot Places To Visit In and Around the Yorkshire Dales
If you grew up in PBS or BBC watching family, chances are your first introduction to the Yorkshire Dales, or maybe even England in general, was through James Herriot and All Creatures Great and Small.
James Herriot (real name Alf Wight) was a U.K. vet based in Thirsk, England whose memoirs detailed veterinary practice in rural Yorkshire in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. I was introduced to his cozy English farm life tales at a very young age through his series of picture books. (Moses the Kitten was a particular favorite.)
Although I’d been to Yorkshire several times as a young adult, it wasn’t until my most recent visit in November 2025 that I decided to do a deep dive into James Herriot’s Yorkshire. But as I tried to put together some James Herriot inspired day trips, I could only find piecemeal recommendations. There was no comprehensive guide to the best James Herriot places to visit in Yorkshire . . . until now!
We ended up spending a full day touring the rural Yorkshire Dales with a private tour guide. I learned so much about that I decided to create the ultimate All Creatures Great and Small trip planning guide so you can have a similar experience in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the British Isles.
I’ve included all must-see James Herriot attractions in Yorkshire including the World of James Herriot in Thirsk, a driving route through Yorkshire Dales National Park, and some of Alf Wight’s very favorite places in the Dales and North York Moors. You’ll also find suggestions for tours, places to stay, and a long list of filming locations from the two television series inspired by his memoirs. I also answer some All Creatures Great and Small FAQs and of course included plenty of tips so you can make the most out of your time in Yorkshire.
If you’re planning to visit the Yorkshire Dales soon, read on to craft your own perfect All Creatures Great and Small experience!
Map of James Herriot Locations in Yorkshire
Top All Creatures Great and Small Experiences in Yorkshire
World of James Herriot Museum, Thirsk
If you can only fit one All Creatures Great and Small site into your Yorkshire itinerary, the World of James Herriot Museum in Thirsk is by far the easiest. Since the museum is located in central Thirsk, a small market town of about 6000 that can be reached in 16-minute train ride from York, you can visit even if you’re traveling without a car.
The museum uses the actual veterinary practice and home owned by Donald Sinclair (the fictional Siegfried Farnon) where Alf Wight lived in the 1940s. One of the first things you’ll notice about the house is how large it is. Given the size and vast scope of the exhibits, which include some films and interactive elements, budget 60-90 minutes for your visit.
Part house museum, part All Creatures Great and Small museum, the wide-ranging exhibits cover everything from Alf Wight’s personal history, a deep dive into rural veterinary practices in the first half of the 20th century, and a look at the production of the original BBC series, including a replica set. It’s the perfect place to reacquaint yourself with James Herriot history and stories at the start of your Yorkshire Dales adventures.
The museum is open every day of the year, except for December 25, December 26, and January 1. It’s often recommended that you visit early in the day to avoid tour bus crowds. We visited in mid-November and the place to ourselves.
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Sutton Bank, North York Moors National Park
Alf Wight was an avid hiker and he once described the view from the Sutton Bank hike in North York Moors National Park as “the finest view in England.” Since the trailhead is located just east of Thirsk, if you don’t have time to head into the Yorkshire Dales, I recommend dovetailing this hike into your visit to the World of James Herriot for a satisfying All Creatures Great and Small day trip.
The hike is about 3.3 miles long and can loop. The path takes you along a cliff for spectacular views across the Vales of York and Mowbray to the Kilburn White Horse. You can start either at the Sutton Bank National Park Centre or near the Kilburn White Horse. Don’t worry, signs direct you to “the finest view,” so you won’t miss it!
Even if you don’t have time for a hike, you should at least make sure you get a view of the one of the hike’s highlights: the Kilburn White Horse. This large hillside figure can be seen from the A19 road or the main train line so keep your eyes peeled on your way up to Thirsk!
Although very impressive and noticeably, there’s no real significance to the Kilburn White Horse. The story goes that one day a Victorian schoolmaster, who maybe had seen the Uffington White Horse in Oxfordshire, decided he and his students should raze a primitive figure of a horse into a North York Moors hillside, exposing Jurassic era limey sandstone.
Alf Wight frequently saw the horse while out on his rounds. He mentions in his memoirs that the horse signaled that he was almost home.
Yorkshire Dales National Park
When you drive into the Yorkshire Dales National Park, you’ll feel like you’re driving into the set of All Creatures Great and Small . . . because you are.
Both television series filmed extensively around the Dales, to the point that it’s impossible to list every single filming location here. While the original BBC series filmed mostly in scenic Swaledale, the current Channel 5 series went a little farther west and films mainly in the more rugged Nidderdale. (Dales are named for the river that flow through them to create the dale, aka valley.)
Alf Wight worked mainly in Swaledale and occasionally went as far west as Wensleydale. When we toured the Dales, we were shocked at just how many miles he logged as he traveled from farm to farm. As you drive through this area, you’ll pass many of the farms he would have called upon.
Here are just a handful of All Creatures Great and Small filming locations (from both series) that you could include in a drive through the Yorkshire Dales. Most of these are just photo ops so please be cognizant of private property and don’t clog the road as you capture the familiar scene.
All Creatures Great and Small Yorkshire Dales filming locations
Broughton Hall
The 2020 series used this large Georgian hall, situated on land owned by nobles for some 900 years, to depict Mrs. Pumphrey’s house. The house is now an event center.
Janet’s Foss
James swims in the pool below this pretty little waterfall in the 2020 series. You can reach it via a 2.7 mile out and back hike from Malham National Park Visitor Centre in Malham Village. If this picturesque spot puts you in the mind of a fairy glen, you’re not alone! It’s said this is the home of Janet (or Jennet), the queen of the fairies.
Malham Lings
Locations around Malham were used extensively in the 2020 series. While you’re parked in Malham Village, you could also is hike into Malham Cove to check out the Malham Lings. These limestone pavements create moonscape very similar to the Burren in western Ireland. You’ll remember James being dropped off in the midst of this stark landscape in the first episode of the 2020 series.
As you hike into Malham Cove, you might recognize the cliff top that Harry and Hermione run across in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I.
Church of St. Michael and All Angels
This small 12th century stone church in the tiny village of Hubberholme was used as the church interior for James and Helen’s wedding in the 2020 series. Writer J.B. Priestley’s ashes are scattered in the church yard.
Yockenthwaite Farm
When you drive up to this remote cluster of stone farm buildings overlooking the River Wharfe, you’ll instantly recognize it as the Alderson farm from the 2020 series. You get an excellent view of the farm from the road, just make sure you pull over far enough to let others pass.
This is still a working sheep farm owned by the Hirds family since 1842. The family operated the farm as a bed and breakfast for a time and became known for the granola they served at breakfast. Demand for the granola grew so high that they now manufacturer an entire line of granola in Skipton and closed the B&B.
Church of St. Mary and St John
This Victorian stone church in Hardraw outside of Hawes served as Darrowby church in the original BBC series.
Green Dragon Inn
Just down the road from the Church of St. Mary and St. John in Hardraw, you’ll find the Green Dragon Inn. While you might not recognize this pub from the outside, once you duck inside the 13th century pub, you’ll be immersed in Darrowby’s watering hole, the Drover’s Arms, as depicted in the 2020 series.
If you like, during your visit, you can pay a small fee to walk to Hardraw Force located about a ten-minute walk behind the pub. This single drop waterfall, said to be 100 ft tall, was featured in the 1991 film, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
Surrender Bridge
Northwest of the small village of Healaugh, you’ll find Surrender Bridge, a one-lane stone bridge over Mill Gill (also known as Old Gang Bank) near an old smelting mill. The bridge features in the opening credits of the 1980s BBC series.
Bleaberry Gill
Once you cross Surrender Bridge, you can continue up the road to small ford across the stream of Bleaberry Gill. This is where the car splashes through water in the BBC opening credits. If you don’t want to drive through the water, you can park nearby and use a small white pedestrian bridge to cross the stream.
Keep in mind that both Surrender Bridge and Bleaberry Gill are quite remote; the driving will be tight and more than a little hairy!
With so many points of interest, it’s hard to choose what to see in a day of James Herriot inspired sightseeing. To help, I charted out a suggested a driving route on the map of All Creatures Great and Small locations at the start of this post.
Askrigg
In 1980, the BBC choose the small Yorkshire village of Askrigg for its Darrowby. With only about 500 residents, this picturesque town is a mere 1/12th of the size of Alf Wight’s actual home, Thirsk! Its stone buildings and cobblestone streets perfectly fit the cozy vibe of the television series, even if it does depict Yorkshire life as a little quainter than reality.
While there isn’t much to do in this tiny town, you could grab a drink or meal at the King’s Arms, which the BBC used for the exterior of the Drover’s Arms. The building used for Skeldale House right on the edge of the village square is now a hotel cleverly called Skeldale House.
Grassington
The 2020 series opted to use Grassington in Wharfedale to depict Darrowby. This small market town of about 1100 residents has always attracted Yorkshire tourists because of its attractive main square and its many well preserved historic stone buildings.
There are some nice little shops including a bookstore, a chocolatier, a florist, several cafes and tea rooms, and a cleverly named dog groomers called All Dogs Great and Small. If they’re open, pop into Grassington Folk Museum to learn a little more about country life in the Dales.
If you only do one thing, I recommend heading inside The Devonshire for some hearty traditional pub fare and a pint of Timothy Taylor’s. This inn was used as the exterior of the Drovers’ Arms in the new series, although once you’re in the doors, you’ll find a very typical modern pub interior. We really enjoyed our meal here.
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Herriot Way Walking Trail
You can follow in Alf Wight’s literal footsteps on the 52-mile, circular Herriot Way Walking Trail. This fairly short (by British standards!) multiday hike is based on a walking holiday that Wight took with his son.
Along the way you’ll travel through Wensleydale and Swaledale taking in a wide range of familiar Yorkshire Dales scenery from the All Creatures Great and Small series. Highlights include Hawes, Askrigg, and Aysgarth.
Most hikers opt to do this path in four days/three nights. If you really want to immerse yourself in James Herriot’s Yorkshire, you can’t do much better than hiking through it on Herriot Way. You can work with several tour companies, like ASI Reisen for a full tour or Contours for help with booking lodging as well as luggage transport.
Bolton Castle
Bolton Castle deserves a spot on any Yorkshire itinerary, even if you couldn’t care less about James Herriot or All Creatures Great and Small.
Not to be confused with Castle Bolton (which is the town the castle is located in), Mary, Queen of Scots, was imprisoned here and you can see her bedroom during your visit. Along with touring the medieval fortress, visitors to the castle can enjoy gardens, a tea room, and falconry experiences.
Although it’s never been used as a filming location, Bolton Castle did play a role in Alf Wight’s personal history. It’s where he proposed to his wife, Joan!
Fountains Abbey
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Is this officially a James Herriot related site? Not really, but also not not.
For me, one of the most memorable James Herriot scenes is when Siegfried’s troublemaking little brother, Tristan, takes to dressing up as a ghost and wondering through a ruined abbey to spook passing motorists Was that abbey Fountains? It’s fun to imagine that it was!
While there are many, many ruined abbeys sprinkled around Yorkshire, including Rievaulx, Jervaulx, and Bolton, none are as impressive as Fountains Abbey, located just southwest of Ripon. (It’s also worth a stop in Ripon to check out its cathedral.)
This Benedictine, then Cistercian, abbey was the one of the countless victims destroyed by Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries decree. Even though only ruins remain, the scope of the abbey remains still convey how powerful and prosperous it once.
West Scrafton
This tiny village in Coverdale was one of Alf Wight’s favorite vacation spots, probably because of its access to great hiking, waterfalls, and scenery. You might consider staying here yourself, since it puts you in a central location close to many of the North Yorkshire locations already mentioned, including Bolton Castle and Askrigg.
You can learn more about Yorkshire locations special to Alf Wight and his family in his book, James Herriot’s Yorkshire.
Other Herriot inspired points of interest
- Yorkshire Museum of Farming – Located just east of York in Murton Park, this farming history museum displays Alf Wight’s veterinary surgery tools in one of its exhibits. Also, buckle up for a lot of tractors.
- Area racecourses – Horse racing was often discussed in James Herriot’s books, both from the perspective of a spectator and as a vet making difficult decisions about racehorses’ health care. You can experience at a day at the track in one of Yorkshire’s many racecourses including Ripon, Thirsk, Wetherby, and York.
- Richmondshire Museum – A local history museum in Richmond, the museum’s exhibits include the set from the original BBC All Creatures Great and Small series.
- Wensleydale Creamery – If Wensleydale cheese seems familiar, you might be remembering references to it in the famous British Claymation series, Wallace and Gromit. This creamery offers tours, a tea room, a large gift shop, and all the cheese samples you can eat. It’s the perfect place to pick up some Yorkshire souvenirs during your time in the Dales. Definitely a delicious highlight from our Yorkshire Dales day!
- Aysgarth Falls – A beautiful roadside waterfall just east of Askrigg, this spot had its 15 minutes of fame in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. We caught the falls during a flooding event and while it was barely recognizable from its appearance in Prince of Thieves, it was certainly an impressive force of nature!
- Middleham Castle – This was Richard III’s childhood home.
Tours of Herriot Country
Driving and navigating the Yorkshire Dales is not for the faint of heart and there’s really no public transportation that will get you to the most interesting corners of the Dales. An easy solution for those who want to see James Herriot country but don’t necessarily have the stomach for driving themselves is joining one of the many All Creatures Great and Small tours offered.
Private Tour Guides
For the most customizable experience in the Yorkshire Dales, I recommend hiring a private guide. They can modify the route to include any points of interest that you’re particularly keen to see and they’ll also make sure you don’t miss any highlights. Of course, this is also your most expensive option.
The Yorkshire Tour Guide – We had an awesome day with Howard. I highly recommend him. He picked us up at our accommodations in York and spent more than 9 hours showing us the very best of Yorkshire Dales.
Other bespoke options:
Small Group Tours
There are several small group tours focused on All Creatures Great and Small locations in North Yorkshire as well. While much more affordable than hiring a private guide, the downside is that there’s no flexibility with the itinerary.
Tips for your rural North Yorkshire adventure
Except narrow, winding roads – Take motion sickness medication if needed and fold in your car mirrors! Be very mindful of other motorists.
A common Yorkshire greeting is “Ya allright?” – No, you don’t look distressed; this is just the Yorkshire equivalent of “How’s it going?”
Be mindful of the weather – The elevation rises very quickly in the Yorkshire Dales with the highest point at well over 2000 ft. It’s not uncommon for there to be snow cover in the Dales when lower elevations, like York, are well above freezing. If you are trying to see the sights in winter, be mentally prepared to have to turn around if the weather degrades.
Weather changes quickly in all of England. We started our day in sunshine in York and Thirsk and had rain by the time we reached Grassington. Heavy fog rolled in at the highest point we visited in the Dales west of Hawes.
Remember that you’re a visitor – Yes, it looks like you’re heading into a picture book, but plenty of people with real lives and to-do lists live here. Pull over to let faster traffic around you and please, please don’t clog up the narrow lanes while stopped taking photos.
You’re not the only one interested in All Creatures Great and Small – If you decide to see the James Herriot sites independently, head to Thirsk early and keep in mind that many tour groups will hit up one of many “The Drovers Arms” for lunch. This wasn’t really a concern during our mid-November tour, but I could definitely see this getting annoying in the summer.
Be prepared for minimal public transportation options -While buses do service the Yorkshire Dales, it is not a realistic way to see the sights associated with All Creatures Great and Small with any semblance of efficiency. As I tried to figure out how best to explore the Dales, I quickly discovered that this rugged section of northern England is really only accessible by car.
All Creatures Great and Small FAQs
Who’s James Herriot?
I’m guessing if you’ve made it this far, you probably have a pretty good handle on this. But just in case you don’t, James Herriot is the pen name of Alf Wight, a Scottish-born veterinary who spent his entire career working in North Yorkshire.
In his 50s, he began publishing his memoirs which were almost immediately adapted into a feature film in 1974. His fame continued to increase when the BBC used his stories to create All Creatures Great and Small, a television series that ran for 7 seasons starting in 1978.
All Creatures Great and Small is currently having another moment as it undergoes a reboot on Channel 5. The current series just finished its sixth season. While the new series revisits many of familiar stories and characters, it also weaves in more historical details and takes more creative license with the characters.
What are the Yorkshire Dales?
The Yorkshire Dales are a rugged set of hills and valleys in North Yorkshire located west of York and north of Leeds. Known for its steep hills, limestone cliffs and pavements, and countless rivers and streams, much of this landscape is part of Yorkshire Dales National Park. Because of its difficult topography and less than desirable soil, this remains one of the most rural parts of England.
Is it dale or vale?
If you’re up on your etymology, you’ve probably spotted that dale and vale mean the exact same thing: a valley. However, in Yorkshire, the two words have distinctly different meanings.
In Yorkshire, a dale refers to the valley in the high country created by a river. Each dale is named for the river that runs through it, so you’ll find the Swale River in Swaledale, the Wharfe River in Wharfedale and so on.
A vale refers to a large, fertile lowland that’s often used for growing crops. The most obvious example is the Vale of York. This generally flat land surrounds the City of York and has been farmed for crops since Roman times. You can expect more crops grown in the Vale of York, while farming transitions to more livestock in the less fertile and much less accessible Yorkshire Dales.
What’s a moor?
When you think of the Yorkshire moors, you might call to mind Catherine and Heathcliff stumbling around in the windy moors in Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. But Bronte spent her life in Haworth, which located just south of Yorkshire Dales National Park, while North York Moors National Park is much farther northeast. So were they in moors or dales?
A moor generally refers to hilly, undeveloped country that’s often covered with heather or other thick vegetation. These are also lowland moors, but in Yorkshire, a moor refers to an upland area. Technically, you see moors and dales at the same time while driving through North Yorkshire.
What books did Alf Wight write?
Using the pen name James Herriot, Alf Wight published many books about his life as a vet in North Yorkshire. They include:
Where To Stay
York
If you’re just looking to venture into the Yorkshire Dales for a day trip, York is the perfect place to stay since most All Creatures Great and Small tours both begin and end in York. We had a great stay at one of Wheelwrights York’s vacation rentals. You could also look into staying at the Grand Hotel which is very convenient to the train station or one of the many B&Bs or taverns.
Grassington
Want to stay in “Darrowby”? This pretty little market town that Channel 5 chose for its Darrowby has always been a favorite with Yorkshire tourists. You can stay at Grassington House which is the surgery exterior in the show or just up the road at the appropriately named Siegfried’s Retreat.
Askrigg
You can also stay at the Askrigg house used for Skeldale House in the original BBC series. Cleverly named Skeldale House, the house has been converted into six suites and one apartment. All seven rental spaces are self-catering and feature full kitchens and bathrooms. For an extra fun twist, the owners named each suite after an important character for All Creatures Great and Small, including a Tricky-Woo suite!
Conclusion: Make the most of your visit to North Yorkshire
If you’ve ever watched All Creatures Great and Small or enjoyed the books of James Herriot and thought to yourself, “I’d sure like to see that country one day,” I hope you’ll take this post as your permission slip to head to North Yorkshire and check out this beautiful area of England for yourself.
Whether you’re interested in filming locations, seeing some of the farms that the real Alf Wight would have worked at, or just exploring one of the most rural areas of England, there’s so much to do and see in Yorkshire Dales.
With this post’s detailed list of places and points of interest related to James Herriot in Yorkshire, you can easily put together a day or entire visit based around the locations that interest you most.
If you just have a day for the Yorkshire Dales, I recommend following my driving route to see the most highlights. If you’re lucky enough to stay longer, consider booking in a holiday cottage (maybe Skeldale House in Askrigg?) in the heart of North Yorkshire or hike the Herriot Way Walking Path for a more immersive visit.
Our experience in the Yorkshire Dales was a true highlight of my latest visit to England. I know I’ll never forget rounding the corner and spying “Helen’s Farm” or eating my fill of cheese samples at the Wensleydale Creamery. I hope you enjoy your visit as much as I did. If you have any questions as you plan, don’t hesitate to reach out.
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