On Monday, August 28th we took the train from York to Thirsk, then walked into town from the train station to visit The World of James Herriot – where they have preserved the home and surgery of veterinarian James Alfred “Alf” Wright.  Wright used the pen name James Herriot when writing stories, later published together in several books, about his experiences as a country vet in the Yorkshire Dales of northeast England to avoid violating the veterinarian code of ethics.  

All Creatures Great and Small is both the title of the first book in the series Wright wrote AND the title of the BBC television series based on his books; our family love the stories and the show.  This was a place we all wanted to go visit.  Thirsk is a small town in the Yorkshire Dales, a now protected area of beauty in northeastern England.  We unfortunately did not have time to go into the Dales and will have to see that on another trip if we have the opportunity.  

When we got to Thirsk, we picked up some snacks at a grocery store and then went to the tourist information office to get directions to the museum.  On our way to the museum, we stopped in an OXFAM, a charity thrift store we’d learned about and become familiar with during our time in England.  They were having a clearance sale and Scott, Abe and Arlie all found fun souvenirs:  Scott and Arlie both bought old Queen Elizabeth coronation mugs and Abe found a Thirsk school hoodie, all for 99 pence each!  

We took our time at The World of James Herriot.  After checking in at the welcome desk and shop, visitors begin by walking through the Wright home and surgery, preserved as they were in the 1940’s.  When you visit someone’s home, you can learn more about them and see what inspires them.  It was delightful to see where this beloved author and veterinarian, his wife, Joan, and their children lived and what they had in their home during a time in history that I particularly love reading and learning about.  One thing was clear, books were a big part of their lives; they were everywhere!  I guess it’s no surprise that such an accomplished writer loved to read.  

The surgery rooms for his veterinary practice are attached to their home.  Alf made plenty of calls out to farms, but he also had several rooms where he treated animals in his clinic.  In the halls of the surgery we met and had a lovely conversation with Jim and Lynne, a local couple that we ended up exchanging contact information with.  

In addition to the Wrights’ home and Alf’s surgery, the museum includes several other spaces.  Next, we walked through the garden and shed where you can see his car, old farm equipment, information about his books and watch a film about Alf’s life.  After this, we saw the recreated television set of the first All Creature’s Great and Small BBC series that was filmed in the 1970’s. Last, you go upstairs where there are hands-on and interactive games and displays about treating animals as well as the current television show.  We enjoyed many of the displays and watching interviews of the cast of the show we love watching together.  

After we left the world of James Herriot, we ate some snacks and walked down the street and saw historic St. Mary’s church, where Alf and Joan got married.  It is an impressive building, built in the 15th century.  We learned some interesting details about the church from two volunteer attendants. My favorite part of this church was the baptismal cover, an intricately carved wooden cone that is lowered with a counter-weight system from the church ceiling.  

We finished our day by eating a late lunch with tea at a local cafe and then headed back to the train station.  We had a lovely, relaxed day in Thirsk learning about the man who inspired the show we love watching as a family and we remember it as one of our favorite days from our time in England.