In 2020 Channel 5 brought All Creatures Great and Small to our screens, rebooting a BBC mainstay from the 1970s and 80s. It’s a charming story based on the memoirs of a vet in the 1930’s called Alfred Wight and set in the fictional Yorkshire Dales Town of Darrowby (based on Askrigg and Grassington in the real Dales).
Yorkshire travel specialists Gorgeous Cottages have put together a list of the best filming locations to visit— complete with places to stay nearby.
Grassington is a picturesque village in Upper Wharfedale with quaint streets, cosy cafes. Arriving there provides you with an undeniable sense that you’re stepping back in time.
The Stripey Badger Bookshop was transformed into the village greengrocer, while The Rusty Rabbit is a gorgeous gift shop which became Darrowby Cycles and the Devonshire pub was used to film exterior shots of The Drover’s Arms.
Where to stay: Shiers Barn, a characterful barn conversion near Grassington that sleeps 8 people and 2 dogs.
Hardraw is a small but significant hamlet — home to England’s largest drop waterfall, Hardraw Force. In front of the waterfall is The Green Dragon Inn, which was used to film the cosy interiors of The Drover’s Arms in the Channel 5 series.
Where to stay: Beckstones House, a Grade II-listed house sleeping 6 guests overlooking Gayle Beck, which can be followed to nearby Hardraw.
Askrigg is a small Wensleydale village which doubled as Darrowby in the BBC adaptation. Look out for classic dry stone walls, rolling countryside, an old market cross with a characterful dog-friendly pub The King’s Arms which became The Drover’s Arms in the long-running TV series.
Where to stay: The Old Sorting Office, a beautifully converted building for 6 guests and 2 dogs that comes with a couple of wood-burners and an enclosed garden with views of Wensleydale.
Although Thirsk wasn’t actually featured in either TV series, it’s a must-visit destination for fans of All Creatures Great and Small. It’s where author Alfred Wight lived and worked. His home and practice is now the World of James Herriot museum where you can step into a TV set and try your hand at being a Yorkshire vet.
Where to stay: Fox Cottage – Thirsk, a pretty dog-friendly cottage in rural North Yorkshire with bike storage so guests can explore the surrounding North York Moors and Howardian Hills on two wheels.
To read more about fantastic stays across Yorkshire head to www.gorgeouscottages.com.
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