Step Into Darrowby: Our guide to All Creatures Great and Small Filming Locations

The seventh series of Channel 5’s entertaining adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small, based on James Herriot’s popular books about his adventures as a young vet in the 1930s, has been enchanting Channel 5 viewers all over again.

It has been filmed mostly in Yorkshire, where the books are actually set. Apart from great characters and lovely animals, of course, the popular drama once again features a number of wonderfully picturesque locations up north that you can visit, too…

DARROWBY

As well as its famously beautiful, unspoilt countryside, the Yorkshire Dales has some of Britain’s most picturesque towns and villages as well, among them the gorgeous, historic market town of Grassington in Wharfedale (discovergrassington.co.uk), which stars as fictional Darrowby in All Creatures Great and Small.

Its charming cobbled main square is instantly recognisable, and is home to the real Stripey Badger bookshop (aka GF Endelby, Grocers in the drama series) and other easily identifiable locations.

THE DROVERS

The Devonshire, a handsome inn, ale and dining house on the Main Street in Grassington, doubles as the outside of The Drovers Arms, featured in a number of TV scenes. The real inn provided green rooms for the cast and even some of the animals and crew have stayed there, too (thedevonshiregrassington.co.uk).

The 13th-century Green Dragon Inn in Hardraw has a great location overlooking Upper Wensleydale on The Pennine Way, and its flagstones, oak beams and cosy atmosphere make it perfect for The Drovers’ interiors (greendragonhardraw.com.), England’s highest single-drop waterfall, Hardraw Force, is close by.

MRS PUMPHREY’S HOME

While interiors for Skeldale House, home of the All Creatures veterinary practice, was filmed in studios, Mrs Pumphrey’s House is elegant Broughton Hall, Skipton, both for season one when the late Dame Diana Rigg played the beloved character and later when Patricia Hodge took over the role.

With its grand gilt-tinged salon and classy décor, it is of course the perfect abode for Tricki Woo, the adorable, if somewhat temperamental, Pekingese. The Broughton Hall estate, about an hour’s drive from both Leeds and Manchester, offers a number of holiday homes within its 3,000 acres of splendid Yorkshire Dales countryside. The hall itself can be hired for private house party stays, (broughtonhall.co.uk).

THE HERRIOT'S DINING ROOM

For the Herriot's dining room, producers turned to Bradford Industrial Museum. Bradford was once the wool capital of the world thanks to the sheer number of mills and factories, and this splendid old honey-coloured building was started life as Moorside Mills, built around 1875 as a small worsted spinning mill.

The current museum allows visitors to discover that heritage, with working machinery and back-to-back mill workers’ houses to explore (bradfordmuseums.org).

TAKE THE TOUR...

If you want to fully embrace the locations of All Creatures Great and Small, a guided tour through the stunning Yorkshire Dales could be just what you’ve been looking for. The All Creatures Great and Small Locations Tour is available from Virgin Experiences, £190 for two.

Departing from York, you’ll head straight into the picture-perfect Yorkshire Dales, stopping at Grassington, aka fictional Darrowby. From there, you’ll head to key filming spots including St Michael and All Angels Church, where James and Helen got married, and Yockenthwaite Farm, home of the Alderson family on screen.

After a break for lunch, the tour takes you to Aysgarth Falls and imposing Bolton Castle, with the guide sharing behind-the-scenes information and local history along the way. The day finishes with a scenic drive back to York. Tickets are available to purchase here.