All Creatures Great and Small PBS filming locations

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 serves as the exterior of The Drovers Arms, where James and his colleagues often gather. Interior scenes of The Drovers were filmed at The Green Dragon at Hardraw for Series 1 to 3, before the production moved to a purpose-built studio set near Harrogate.

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 different locations to represent the veterinary practice in the new series. The front exterior of Skeldale House is filmed in Grassington, while the back exterior is at a private residence in the village of Arncliffe in Littondale, carefully chosen for its period-appropriate appearance. Interior scenes are filmed in studio sets 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. Most scenic countryside shots are filmed in Littondale, Malhamdale, and Wharfedale, with additional locations including:

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

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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 the production’s studios near Harrogate, 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 Craven Arms at Appletreewick, which was used as an alternative pub location in Series 3.
  • 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 at Yockenthwaite in Langstrothdale, selected for its authentic period features and stunning Dales backdrop.

Visit the Real All Creatures Great and Small PBS Filming Locations in 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 honouring the timeless appeal of the original stories.

Plan Your All Creatures Great and Small PBS Filming Locations Tour

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