Herriot Country – Two words that conjure up newborn lambs, hilltop farms, country lanes and miles upon miles of spectacular dry stone walling.
As a farming family we really love All Creatures Great and Small. From the original James Herriot books that my Grandma loved to read , through to the more recent television series, there is something timeless and nostalgic about James Herriot. Something that is so relatable and warm.
In Skeldale House – the veterinary practice and home of James Herriot – so much happens around the kitchen table as Mrs Hall is kept busy.
Throughout my life growing up on a farm, the kitchen table remains the centrepiece of life – whichever farm kitchen we’re in. A tea pot and tea cosy are never far away and the kettle is always on. The kitchen table is always a focus – extra chairs pulled up as someone calls in. Community and connection built around a kitchen table.
There’s a thread of farm life today that’s real in our time, and stepping back to the days of James Herriot – and seeing it on screen – feels like a warm hug.
We feel lucky to live in North Yorkshire. It’s a place that James Herriot loved and when you’re surrounded by the beauty of the Dales you can understand why he spent his life here.
A short and beautiful drive from Newton Grange Holiday Cottages, and nestled in the heart of Wharfedale, is the picturesque little town of Grassington – that becomes “Darrowby” in the recent television series.
Surrounded by limestone scenery and the River Wharfe, Grassington is a great place to spend a day with friends and family walking in the footsteps of James, Helen, Siegfried, Tristan and Mrs Hall. The Dales Way footpath traverses high above the village, affording stunning views and offering up wondering walking. You can also hike up from the village to Yarnbury to be surrounded by former lead mining country on the moor.
When we visit Grassington we love trying to spot the places that were transported back in time during filming.
Grassington Post Office becomes Woods General Store whilst Love Brownies on the market place magically transforms into J A Dean Drapers and Hosiery
The wonderful Stripey Badger Book Shop and Cafe becomes one of Mrs Hall’s regular places – G F Endleby Grocers.
And if you fancy a drink in The Drovers then pop into The Devonshire.
In 2021 we enjoyed a fabulous day of dressing up, and meeting the All Creatures Great and Small cast here at Newton Grange, as the film crew asked us if they could come to film on the farm. It was a wonderful day spent in each other’s company and making memories for all generations of our family. Both of our daughters have grown to love drama for themselves.
When you come to stay, if you’d like to take a journey down memory lane and follow in the footsteps of All Creatures Great and Small, just let us know – because we’d love to signpost you to some of the wonderful places in the Dales that used in the filming, brimming with their own real and vibrant community life today.
And you can start right here, with film locations just moments away from our holiday cottages.
First of all though, why not make a pot of Yorkshire tea? Tea pots and tea cosies are provided in all the holiday cottages here, together with large dining tables to sit around – so you can start your day the “Herriot way” too.
Visit James Herriot filming locations for a day exploring from Newton Grange Holiday Cottages in the Yorkshire Dales.
- Newton Grange Farm – the canal, meadows and Bank’s Hill
- Broughton Sanctuary – a 10 minute drive
- Grassington – a 25 minute drive
- Arncliffe – a 35 minute drive
- Yockenthwaite – a 40 minute drive