World of James Herriot

The World of James Herriot in Thirsk is the town’s keynote tourist attraction that welcomes people from all over the world. It tells the story of Alf Wight, OBE (James Herriot) who became the most famous veterinary surgeon in the world after the publication of his books about his life and experiences in rural North Yorkshire.

The multimillion-selling books spawned two Herriot films and the BBC TV Series ‘All Creatures Great and Small”, the longest running ‘must watch’ Sunday night television series of its era. A new Channel 5 TV series, The Yorkshire Vet renewed this TV exposure and now a remake of All Creatures Great and Small also on Channel 5 is attracting a new audience.

Individual and Groups Welcome

The World of James Herriot team love to welcome individual guests and those arriving as a group. It is a unique experience for visitors to learn the story of Alf Wight OBE, (James Herriot) and has much to offer educationally, includes an interactive learning centre, the veterinary rooms, with artefacts from the veterinary world of the period. There are studio sets from BBC Pebble Mill studios, the original lounge, study, dining room, kitchen, dispensary and treatment rooms, two Austin 7 cars plus from the TV series, gardens with the Alf Wight statue that was installed to commemorate his 100th birthday anniversary in 2016.

The books, films and television series brought world-wide attention to Thirsk and North Yorkshire which has become 'Herriot Country'. The Herriot Country Tourism Group provides the wider area focus for the Herriot story and partners of the Group cooperate to welcome group guests. The hotels, tearooms and other attractions in the area, many in locations in the books, films and TV series, offer the same Yorkshire welcome that guests receive at the World of James Herriot and which is the headquarters for the Group.

Opening Times
Between 1st March to 31st Oct: From 9.30am to 5pm (Last entry 4pm) 
Between 1st Nov to 28th Feb: From 10am To 4pm (Last entry 3pm)