The World of James Herriot

 Dear Gentle Readers

We left Haworth heading for Hexham where we hope to hike the trail to the Sycamore Gap in Hadrian's Wall, but your erstwhile scribe remembered something from his previous trip 18 years ago about a little town in the Yorkshire Dales called Thirsk. It was here we turned up to see The World of James Herriot, the famous author who wrote such novels as All Creatures Great and Small, It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet, Vets Might Fly plus many others. The novels have spawned at least two movies and two wonderful TV Series which I have watched and enjoyed. However, the last time I was here, it was closed!

So I thought to myself, we are passing Thirsk on our way to Hexham, let's call in and wonder of wonders, it was open. So we bought tickets and went in.

The first thing you notice in Thirsk is this magnificent church, St Mary's Church built in 1540. Alf Wight (James Herriot's real name) married his wife Joan here in 1941. The church has the highest level of Heritage listing, awarded to very few historic buildings.




This is the plaque outside of 23 Kirkgate where Alf Wight lived and practised his veterinary skills.












The entrance hall to 23 Kirkgate.










The telephone that would often ring in the middle of a cold night. "Can you come?" would be the question.








The dining room that also served as an office, note the desk behind the dining table.








The dispensary where all the pills, potions and powders were kept and dispensed.









These are the actors who portrayed the characters in the 1975 film adaption of "All Creatures Great and Small". From left to right, top, Anthony Hopkins who portrayed Siegfried Farnon, Brian Stirner who portrayed Tristan Farnon, Simon Ward who portrayed James Herriot. Bottom row from left to right, Donald Sinclair the real life vet who inspired the character of Siegfried Farnon, Alf Wight the original author and Brian Sinclair who was the inspiration for Tristan Farnon.

The poster for the 1975 movie. I never knew it existed so I went searching for it and found it. Will watch it tonight.







Studio mockup for the BBC TV series of All Creatures Great and Small. The staircase that James always came down.








The original Austin A7 driven in the TV series, fully restored.








Alf Wight's history. It was amazing to walk through the house that inspired both the 1990 and 2020 TV series, both of which I have watched.









Comments

  1. ColleenJune 22, 2026 at 5:30 AM

    WOW now how marvellous seeing this I love his stories

    ReplyDelete

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