We have some very exciting news to share…
After months of hard-work, careful planning, and preparation, the Heartbeat Experience is now officially open here at the World of James Herriot in Thirsk, and we couldn’t be more proud of what we have created.
The new experience was officially opened on 29th September 2026 by David Lonsdale, beloved by millions as David Stockwell in the ITV series Heartbeat. David was an absolute joy to have with us – warm, funny, and genuinely moved by what he saw. Seeing him walk through the exhibit and share his own memories of the show with our visitors was a truly special moment.
What is the Heartbeat Experience?
At the heart of the new exhibit is something we think is quite extraordinary – a faithful recreation of the personal home study of Nicholas Rhea, the pen name of Peter Walker, the former North Yorkshire policeman whose Constable novels gave birth to the Heartbeat television series.
Nicholas Rhea’s desk, his books, his personal belongings – all brought carefully from his own home and arranged exactly as he left them. Standing in that room feels quietly remarkable. It is the kind of exhibit that stops you in your tracks.
Alongside the studio, visitors can discover two real police motorcycles used in the actual filming of the Heartbeat television series – not replicas, the genuine article – alongside a vintage petrol pump, a wealth of photographs, and a carefully curated collection of memorabilia from the series.
It is unlike anything else you will find in North Yorkshire.
Two Iconic Yorkshire TV Classics. One Unforgettable Destination.
James Herriot and Heartbeat share more than a Yorkshire postcode. Both stories are rooted in the same landscape, the same communities, and the same warm-hearted celebration of rural life in the North Riding. Having them together under one roof at 23 Kirkgate feels entirely natural – and entirely right.
We are enormously grateful to Rhoda Walker and the family of Nicholas Rhea for their extraordinary generosity in allowing us to create this exhibition. Thanks also to Jason Bullard and Lee Jones, without whose kindness and support this would not have been possible.
Come and See It for Yourself
The Heartbeat Experience is included as part of your standard admission to the World of James Herriot. No extra charge. Open seven days a week.
We think you are going to love it. Click HERE for for full Exhibit details, or HERE to Book your tickets at worldofjamesherriot.com
