All Creatures Great and Small
Tucked Away House is the ideal base from which to explore some of the best filming locations for All Creatures Great and Small with many being right on our doorstep!
All Creatures Great and Small is a period drama set in the 1930s, inspired by real-life vet and author Alf Wight. Starring Nicholas Ralph as country vet James Herriot, the programme proved a massive hit with worldwide audiences when it aired, not only because of its stellar cast, heart-warming storylines and gentle pace, but the beautiful filming locations found primarily in the Yorkshire Dales National Park in England.
Channel 5 has confirmed the renewal of All Creatures Great and Small for seasons three and four, with six episodes per season, in addition to two more Christmas specials. Season four should arrive in autumn 2023, with filming starting in Spring 2023.
For All Creatures Great and Small fans, exploring the programme’s filming locations offers a unique insight into the series, whilst providing the chance to enjoy the wonderful Yorkshire Dales and all that it has to offer the visitor. Here at Tucked Away House, we have prepared a guide to some of the most well-known locations:
Darrowby
The TV series was mainly filmed around Grassington, which became the fictional market town of Darrowby, with many of the buildings transformed. The Devonshire Pub became The Drovers Arms (although inside scenes are filmed at The Green Dragon Inn at Hardraw). James Herriot's home and surgery at Skeldale House was created from a private house just off the Square, although the rear of Skeldale is actually in Arncliffe! The Darrowby Show episode also occurs in the town’s still-cobbled Square. The Stripey Badger Bookshop became G F Endleby Grocers, Helen Midgleys became Handleys Booksellers, Darrowby Cycles / Ironmongers is normally Walkers Bakers and The Rustic Rabbit was transformed into Higgins Bakers.
The village of Arncliffe also features as a part of Darrowby. A farm there provides the setting of the back of Skeldale House, where Siegfried and James keep their cars and larger animals are looked after, post-surgery. Arncliffe was also the original setting for The Woolpack Inn used on ITV’s Emmerdale Farm!
Helen Alderson’s Farm
Yockenthwaite is located in the Langstrothdale Valley. The exterior of Yockenthwaite Farm is used as the family home of Helen Alderson, wife-to-be of James Herriot. Viewers may remember the Grade II listed packhorse bridge and the iconic red post box. The village lies on the north bank of the River Wharfe in Upper Wharfedale.
Mrs Pumphrey’s House
Broughton Hall is a Grade I listed Georgian manor house located near the town of Skipton. Channel 5 used the property as the home of the wealthy Mrs Pumphrey, whose spoilt Pekingese dog Tricki-Woo demands only the utmost attention from his ‘uncle’ James Herriot. Some scenes were also shot on the 3000-acre estate. Broughton Hall’s park dates back to the 18th and 19th century, so is perfect for period shots.
The Bus Stop and Waterfall
When James Herriot first travels from Glasgow to the Dales in episode one, he accidentally jumps off the bus to Darrowby at a crossroads and is forced to walk the remainder of the way on foot. The scene highlights the vast expanse of the countryside and was filmed on location at beauty spot Malham Lings in North Yorkshire. Nearby Malham is also used later for the scene where Herriot swims in the waterfall pool, Janet’s Foss, at Malham.
The Bridge
The bridge that James struggles to cross is Barden Bridge, a three-arched humpbacked bridge across the River Wharfe north of Bolton Abbey, on the eastern edge of the Dales. It crosses the river just north-east of Barden Tower, a 15th-century manor house. The surrounding area is owned by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.
Railway Station
When James Herriot picks up Mr Farnham’s brother Tristan in the flashy green soft top Rover car, the station where he picks him up is Oakworth on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway in the West Yorkshire district, near Haworth. The KWVR is a unique 5-mile branch line railway running heritage steam and diesel trains.
The Ritz Cinema
Series 2 filming saw the market town of Thirsk in North Yorkshire transformed into the setting for All Creatures Great and Small, with the Ritz Cinema, one of Britain's oldest operating cinemas, given a beautiful transformation. In addition, The World of James Herriot attraction is a short walk from Thirsk town centre.
Cycling Route
We have a dedicated All Creatures Great and Small film location route map ideal for a wonderful day out on our E-Bike Hire site so why not explore some of the many nearby locations on electric bike and enjoy the views too!
Grassington E-Bike