The World of James Herriot

World of James Herriot Ltd is a visitor attraction in the former Thirsk home and veterinary surgery of author James Herriot.^[1][2]

The World of James Herriot

Displays include recreations of James Herriots 1940s flat; depictions of rural life and veterinary practice at the time, together with sets and props used for the 1978 BBC All Creatures Great and Small television series based on his books.^[3]

History

The World of James Herriot, June 2018

In 1995, Hambleton District Council spent £1.4 million purchasing 23 Kirkgate, depicted by James Herriot as Skeldale House, and refurbishing it.^[1]

It opened in 1999 but was soon threatened with closure. In 2011, operation transferred to the not-for-profit World of James Herriot Ltd led by Ian Ashton and as of 2022, the directors include James Herriot's real life son and daughter. Hambleton District Council retains ownership of the building.^{[4][5][6][7][8]}

In 2019, The World of James Herriot received 35,000 visitors and reportedly benefitted from interest in the series The Yorkshire Vet, on Channel 5.^[5][8]

Management closed the attraction to visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic but anticipated boosts from the broadcast of a new All Creatures Great and Small series in the UK in September 2020, and in the US in 2021. By early 2021, VisitBritain was using the phrase "Discover 'All Creatures Great and Small' in Yorkshire".^[9][10][11]

In 2020, Hambleton District Council granted a subsidised 30-year lease to the operators.^[12]

Gallery

• 
  The World of James Herriot
• 
  Practice sign at the World of James Herriot
• 
  Blue plaque at the World of James Herriot
• 
  Set for the 1978 BBC All Creatures Great And Small series

The James Herriot Foundation Trust

World of James Herriot established the James Herriot Foundation Trust in 2018 to provide bursary awards for people wishing to become veterinary nurses, with the assistance of sponsors.^[4]

References

1. "Herriot centre has reached landmark". 2 August 2006. Archived from the original on 18 July 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
2. "World of James Herriot, an Attraction in Thirsk, North Yorkshire". www.information-britain.co.uk. Archived from the original on 17 July 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
3. "James Herriot museum given lease of life by hit TV show and council". Veterinary Practice. 20 January 2021. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
4. "The World of James Herriot". Great Potential. 20 January 2018. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
5. "The World of James Herriot in Thirsk set for a bright future as visitor attraction is given 30-year lease". Veterinary Practice. 20 January 2021. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
6. "New Appointment to the Main Board of the World of James Herriot Ltd". Harrogate News. 15 September 2020. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
7. "WORLD OF JAMES HERRIOT LIMITED people - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". Companies House. Archived from the original on 17 July 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
8. "All Creatures Great and Small". Veterinary Practice. 20 January 2021. Archived from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
9. "How Yorkshire Dales businesses are preparing for All Creatures Great and Small tourism boom... eventually". Yorkshire Post. 15 September 2020. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
10. Jones, Craig (24 September 2020). "New All Creatures Great and Small brings a huge increase in Yorkshire tourism". Examiner. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
11. "Discover 'All Creatures Great and Small' in Yorkshire Thirsk, North Yorkshire". British Tourist Authority. 24 October 2020. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
12. "James Herriot museum given lease of life by hit TV show and council". Northern Echo. 24 November 2020. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2021.

External links

• Media related to James Herriot Museum at Wikimedia Commons
• Official website

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