Thirsk, York

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We stayed near Thirsk and, with our penchant for the village life overriding our city desires we opted to have a look around Thirsk, a town we'd passed through the night before on our way to our B&B.
This led us to the "All Creatures Great and Small" museum which is the very home in which the creator of the famous aforesaid series lived in. Now, initially, I wasn't that keen but the lady at the tourist information centre was so enthusiastic I thought I'd go anyway. So pleased I did and, because your ticket is valid all day and Rosemarie initially declined, we got virtually a two-for-the-price-of-one experience. It's a very interesting museum and well worth more than an hour of your time.
A quirk about the town is that you can park for free if you get a special docket from any store as as indication that you weren't just there freeloading and using up valuable carpark. I liked that idea. Brighton take note.

Thirsk is a lovely small town north of York. It has some old coaching inns by the square where you can sit and write your travelog and sup a pint. Most famous locally for being the home of Alf Wright who is better known as James Herriot, the vet who wrote stories about his life in the Yorkshire countryside which were then filmed for TV in the surrounding Dales ('All Creatures Great and Small'). Unfortunately Mr Wright/Herriot passed away 1995 but you can visit his house where the surgery was in Kirkgate. He got married in the church in the picture. You can drive to Thirsk in half an hour or take the train but then you face a brisk walk as the train station is outside the town centre, literally in a field with a couple of houses.

Visit The World of James Herriot at Thirsk which is not far from the city of York.
Thirsk was actually Darrowby in the James Herriot books. A walk aroound will let you absorb the armosphere of this lovely town with its cobbled market place with lots of cafes and restaurants. You really get a sense of the town where James Herriot, Sigfried and Tristan lived and worked. If you read the books of James Herriot it really is a must.
The World of James Herriot is actually situated in the 'Skeldale House' at 23 Kirkgate.
This trail takes you back to the 1940's and shows you the rooms where James Herriot lived and worked and also the old aAustin car that was used in the series. You can also see a film about the real 'James Herriot' - Alf Wright.
Open:
March to October 10.00 - 18.00
November to February 10.00 - 17.00
Address:
The World of James Herriot
23 Kirkgate
Thirsk YO7 1PL
tel: 01845 524234
www.hamilton.gov.uk
www.herriotdaysout.co.uk