The World Of James Herriot

04/06/2026

Everyone asks us where All Creatures Great and Small is filmed. The real answer is even richer than you might expect.

Yes, the cameras roll out across the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, with Grassington standing in for Darrowby. But the real James Herriot, our own Alf Wight, lived and worked right here in Thirsk. The real Skeldale House is our front door, and you can still stand in the very rooms where his stories came to life.

The Dales gave the show its scenery. Thirsk gave it its heart.

We have pulled the whole story together in one place, the filming locations and the real places behind them, so you can plan the perfect Herriot day out.

Read the guide here 👉 https://worldofjamesherriot.com/all-creatures-great-and-small-filming-locations/

Have you visited the real Skeldale House yet? We would love to welcome you!

04/06/2026

Did you know there is a little piece of Downton Abbey hidden right here in Thirsk?

One of our rooms at the World of James Herriot played the home of the much-loved Mr Molesley, played by Kevin Doyle, in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. Filmed here in summer 2024, it is a room you can step straight into and stand exactly where the cameras rolled.

And we are not the only Downton corner of town. The Grand Finale also features Thirsk Hall and our own historic Kirkgate, the first time the real Thirsk has appeared on screen as the Crawleys' local town.
So you can explore the real Skeldale House, walk in the footsteps of James Herriot, and see a genuine slice of Downton history, all in one lovely day out. Two great stories, one unforgettable visit.

Discover the full story here 👉 https://worldofjamesherriot.com/downton-abbey-filming-location-in-thirsk-north-yorkshire/

Have you spotted our room on the big screen yet???

20/05/2026

🐾 Step into the REAL home of *All Creatures Great & Small* 🏡

Looking for a unique day out in Yorkshire? Come and discover the magic of the World of James Herriot in the heart of Thirsk ❤️

Walk through the original 1940s home and veterinary surgery where Alf Wight — the real James Herriot — lived and worked. Explore authentic rooms, fascinating memorabilia, interactive exhibits, TV studio recreations, vintage cars, and hands-on fun for all ages!

Whether you're a lifelong fan of the books and TV series, love Yorkshire history, or simply want a memorable family day out, there’s something here for everyone.

✨ Multi-award-winning attraction
✨ Family friendly
✨ Perfect for fans of All Creatures Great & Small
✨ Located in beautiful Herriot Country

📍 Thirsk, North Yorkshire
🎟 Book your visit today: worldofjamesherriot.com

Tag someone who would LOVE this trip 👇

19/05/2026

We all have one. 💛

That moment when you first discovered James Herriot - and something just clicked.

Maybe it was a battered paperback passed on by a parent or grandparent. Maybe it was stumbling across the BBC series on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Maybe it was watching All Creatures Great and Small on PBS and finding yourself reaching for the books the very next day.

Whatever your moment was, we'd love to hear it.

Tell us in the comments - when did James Herriot first get you? 🐾

15/05/2026

If you're in the National Park this weekend, please:

🔥 No Fires or BBQs
🚮 Take all your litter home
🐕‍🦺 Keep dogs on a lead to protect you, livestock, and ground-nesting birds

Thank you 🙏

13/05/2026

Behind every great story is a real person...

Meet Alf Wight - the quiet, kind Yorkshire vet who became James Herriot and changed the world, one animal at a time. 🐾

www.worldofjamesherriot.com

11/05/2026

EXLUSIVE!! Tea & Talks event with James Herriot's daughter Rosie Page!

Tea & talks with Rosie, 2nd June, at 4pm - Limited to just 20 places! Book now: https://worldofjamesherriot.com/product/tea-talks-with-rosie/

We are so excited to share something really special with you! Starting this Spring, we are launching a brand new event here at the World of James Herriot, and we think you are going to love it.

“Tea and Talks with Rosie” gives you the chance to spend a truly memorable afternoon with Rosie Wight, the real-life daughter of Alf Wight, the man behind James Herriot. Rosie has grown up surrounded by the stories, the memories and the magic that her father created, and she is ready to share them with you.

Over a lovely cup of Yorkshire tea, Rosie will talk about her life growing up as the daughter of one of the world’s most beloved authors, sharing personal memories and stories that you simply won’t find in any book.

After the talk, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the museum, exploring the very rooms where it all began. Tickets are priced at £50 per person, and we are proud to say that £5 from every ticket will be donated to Herriot Hospice Homecare https://www.herriothh.org.uk/, a cause very close to our hearts here in Thirsk.

Places are strictly limited to just 20 people per event!

Book now: https://worldofjamesherriot.com/product/tea-talks-with-rosie/

EVENT DATE: 2nd June, at 4PM We are so excited to share something really special with you! Starting this Spring, we are launching a brand new event here at the World of James Herriot, and we think you are going to love it. “Tea and Talks with Rosie” gives you the chance to spend a […]

11/05/2026

Part 2 of our conversation with Roger French is here... and if you loved Part 1, this one is going to hit just as hard. 🎙️

Roger goes even deeper into what makes James Herriot so special - the stories, the memories, and that feeling that so many of you will know. The one where Herriot's world doesn't just feel like something you read or watched, but somewhere you genuinely belong.

It's a warm, honest, and at times quite moving conversation - exactly what the Real James Herriot Podcast is all about! 🫶

Put the kettle on and settle in. Part 2 is waiting for you here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eVIq2QGUXw

🎧 Watch or listen via the link below - and if you haven't seen Part 1 yet, we'd suggest starting there first.

Podcasts

06/05/2026

If you're an American fan of All Creatures Great and Small on PBS, you already know the warmth, the charm, and the breath-taking Yorkshire landscapes that make the series so special. But did you know that the real home and surgery of James Herriot is right there in North Yorkshire, waiting for you to walk through the door?
The World of James Herriot in Thirsk is the actual house where Alf Wight lived and worked - the man the world knew as James Herriot. The original surgery, the restored 1940s rooms, the memorabilia, the garden - it's all there, exactly as it was. And visitors from across the United States tell us time and again that standing in those real rooms brings the stories to life in a way that nothing else can.

If you're planning a UK trip, Thirsk deserves a place on your itinerary. Find out why so many American visitors call it the highlight of their entire British adventure.

Read more below 👇
https://worldofjamesherriot.com/american-visitors-all-creatures-great-and-small/

World of James Herriot museum in Thirsk - the real home of All Creatures Great & Small. Explore the 1940s surgery & more. Book now.

21/04/2026

🎙️ Our latest podcast episode is here and it's a special one!

What does James Herriot really mean to the fans? In part one of our two-part conversation, we sit down with avid-fan Roger French to talk about how he first discovered James Herriot and how those much-loved stories have shaped his life in ways he never expected.
If you've ever felt that Herriot's world is somewhere you truly belong, you'll relate to this one!

🎧 Listen now on the Real James Herriot Podcast and don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss part two!

👇 Drop a comment below and tell us how YOU first discovered James Herriot. We'd love to hear your story!

www.jamesherriotpodcast.com