Filming Locations

Discover Where the Modern Adaptation of “All Creatures Great & Small” Comes to Life

The new adaptation of James Herriot’s beloved stories, which premiered in 2020 on Channel 5 in the UK and PBS in the US, has captivated a new generation of viewers with its stunning Yorkshire landscapes and faithful retelling of Alf Wight’s experiences as a rural veterinarian. While the original BBC series from the 1970s and 80s used numerous filming locations, the new series has established its own visual identity across the magnificent Yorkshire Dales.

The Village of “Darrowby”

Unlike the original series which used Askrigg as Darrowby, the new adaptation primarily uses the charming market town of Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales as the fictional village of Darrowby. This picturesque location serves as the backdrop for many town scenes, with its cobbled market square transformed to represent 1930s Yorkshire. The Devonshire Inn in Grassington doubles as The Drovers Arms, where James and his colleagues often gather.

Skeldale House

While the real Skeldale House can be visited at 23 Kirkgate in Thirsk (now the World of James Herriot museum), the production team selected a different property to represent the veterinary practice in the new series. The exterior scenes of the fictional Skeldale House are filmed at a private residence in the village of Arncliffe in Littondale, carefully chosen for its period-appropriate appearance. Interior scenes are primarily filmed in studio sets that have been meticulously designed to reflect the 1930s period.

The Dales Landscapes

The breathtaking countryside scenes showcasing James Herriot’s veterinary rounds are filmed throughout various locations in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, including:

• Malham and surrounding areas, with the iconic Malham Cove occasionally visible in landscape shots.
• Swaledale valley, providing many of the dramatic hillside vistas.
• Bolton Abbey Estate, which offers historic buildings and sweeping landscapes.
• Nidderdale, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that provides additional farming locations.

Mrs. Hall’s Domain

The warm kitchen at Skeldale House, where Mrs. Hall (played by Anna Madeley) creates the heart of the household, is a carefully constructed set at Twickenham Studios in London, where many of the interior scenes are filmed.

The Farnon Brothers’ Haunts

The locations for Tristan and Siegfried Farnon’s adventures extend beyond Grassington to include:

• Kettlewell, another Dales village that provides additional “Darrowby” exteriors.
• The Angel Inn at Hetton, which serves as an alternative pub location in some episodes.
  Various farms throughout the Yorkshire Dales that represent the Dales farming community.

Helen Alderson’s Farm

Scenes set at Helen Alderson’s family farm are filmed at a working farm near Airton in Malhamdale, selected for its authentic period features and stunning Dales backdrop.

Visit the Real Yorkshire

Fans of the series can explore many of these locations in person to experience the magnificent landscapes that provide the backdrop to James Herriot’s stories. While exploring the filming locations, visitors can also enjoy the World of James Herriot museum in Thirsk to see where the real Alf Wight lived and worked.

The production team’s careful selection of locations helps create the authentic atmosphere that makes this adaptation so special, bringing James Herriot’s Yorkshire to life for a new generation while honoring the timeless appeal of the original stories.

Plan Your “All Creatures” Tour

When visiting the Yorkshire Dales to explore these filming locations, consider making the World of James Herriot in Thirsk your starting point to gain insight into the real-life inspiration behind the stories before venturing into the landscapes that bring the new adaptation to life.