James Herriot captured the beauty of rural Yorkshire in his books, bringing the fictional town of Darrowby to life with his descriptions of life as a country vet.
His writing has transported many readers to the rolling hills, quaint villages, and rugged beauty of Yorkshire. With this wonderful three-day trip you can explore the Yorkshire described in Herriot's books, and wander around locations you'll recognise from the TV series All Creatures Great and Small, based on his work.
You'll start with a trip to the World of James Herriot in Thirsk, the inspiration for the fictional Darowby. Here you'll discover a fascinating attraction in the author's former home and veterinary surgery. Step back in time and get a look at 1940s rural life in this fully restored home with the largest collection of Herriot memorabilia in the world.
You'll then take a scenic drive through the Moors on your way to Askrigg, one of the main filming locations used for the 1970s All Creatures Great and Small TV series, making a pit stop at the Wensleydale Creamery, where you'll have lunch and time to do some shopping.
Other highlights include a trip to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, Middleham Castle, the enchanting village of East Witton, and picturesque Grassington, which serves as Darrowby in the current Channel 4 series of All Creatures Great and Small
Throughout the trip you'll be based at The Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate, a beautiful Victorian hotel where you'll have breakfast and dinner each day.
James was Howard's family farm vet, and Howard will share some inside knowledge about the many real-life All Creatures Great and Small incidents during a talk.
Today you'll arrive in Harrogate and check in to your welcoming hotel, The Old Swan. Check-in is available from 3pm, but you can drop any bags at the hotel and take some time to explore the area before check-in if you wish.
In the early evening, you'll meet your tour manager for a welcome drink and a talk at your hotel. Your tour manager will tell you all about the local area and go over the itinerary for the next few days before you tuck into dinner.
This morning you'll have breakfast at the hotel before departing on the scenic route to Thirsk.
This pretty market town is the inspiration behind James Herriot's fictional Darrowby and is home to The World of James Herriot, a visitor attraction in the author's former home and veterinary surgery.
A self-guided tour has been arranged for you here, giving you the chance to travel back in time and get a glimpse of rural life as it was once in this fully restored 1940s home. Marvel at the ancient and bizarre remedies in the consulting room, admire the largest collection of Herriot memorabilia in the world and see the original 1938 Austin Seven car which appeared in the film "It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet".
After your visit, you'll leave Thirsk and take a scenic drive through Bedale, Leyburn and then towards Hawes taking in 'James Herriot country' as you go. In Hawes, you'll visit the Wensleydale Creamery, where you'll have lunch and time to do some shopping.
Next stop is Askrigg, one of the main filming locations used for the 1970s All Creatures Great and Small TV series, serving as the set for the fictional Darrowby.
Also on the agenda today is a visit to Middleham, whose castle is famous for its connections to Richard III and the picturesque villages of East Witton and Masham, before returning to the hotel for dinner.
After another hearty breakfast at the hotel, you'll meet your tour manager and coach for a scenic drive to Ripon. Here, you'll visit Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, a National Trust World Heritage site with ancient Abbey ruins and beautiful formal gardens with beautiful lakes and waterways.
You'll then take another fabulously scenic drive through Nidderdale, Pateley Bridge and towards Grassington.
Grassington is an extremely picturesque and quintessentially Yorkshire town and serves as the filming location of the current Channel 5 TV series All Creatures Great and Small, as the fictional Darrowby.
You'll have some free time to enjoy lunch and wander Grassington's pretty streets, perhaps spotting locations that you recognise from the TV show.
On your way back to the hotel from Grassington, you'll make a brief stop in Harrogate, with time to explore parts of this elegant and upmarket spa town before your trip comes to an end.
This comfortable four-star hotel is set just steps from the fully restored Victorian Turkish Baths Harrogate
The Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate combines Victorian glamour with elegant contemporary touches and is just a short walk from the town centre. This is one of the most famous hotels in Harrogate, thanks to its romantic past. Once a popular spa, this hotel was once the hideaway of crime queen Agatha Christie when she famously disappeared here in 1926.
With 136 traditionally-styled bedrooms and suites, all with en-suite bathrooms, TVs, and tea and coffee facilities, The Old Swan is the perfect place to get away from it all.
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* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £245. Deposit 20% Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. THoliday is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Limited (ATOL bonded).