York: “All Creatures Great and Small” Yorkshire Dales Tour

The best part of this All Creatures Great and Small tour is the way it links television locations with the real Yorkshire villages and valleys around them. You will see Grassington, Askrigg, Hubberholme, Yockenthwaite, Hawes, and other places tied to both the new and old series, while your guide explains the countryside between stops.

I like the small 16-seat vehicle, which makes narrow Dales roads more manageable, and I like the mix of film locations, local history, castle remains, and cheese tasting at Wensleydale Creamery. The main thing to consider is the pace: this is a long day with many locations, and you will not get off the bus at every place mentioned.

Key points to know before booking

• Grassington plays Darrowby in the new series, including the Drovers Arms and Skeldale House.
• Askrigg served as Darrowby in the old series, giving fans a useful side-by-side look at two versions of the fictional village.
• Bolton Castle grounds are included, while other entry fees are not.
• Guides make a major difference, with John, Trevor, Barry, Ben, and Lee all praised for their storytelling, care, and driving.
• The day lasts 8.5 hours, with departures from York at 9:00 a.m. and return to the same meeting point.
• Some stops are viewed from the vehicle, so this suits you best if you want a broad tour of the Dales rather than long visits at every site.

Why the Yorkshire Dales make the story work

James Herriot’s world depends on more than village buildings. It needs stone walls, sheep-filled fields, winding roads, broad valleys, and isolated farms. This tour gives you that setting in full, not just a collection of recognizable facades.

I like that the day is not limited to one filming village. You move through Wharfedale, Wensleydale, and Swaledale, seeing how different parts of the Dales supplied the scenery for the old and new productions. Even if you are not a serious fan, the route gives you a useful introduction to North Yorkshire.

The guides also add local context. John is repeatedly praised for mixing village history with stories from the road. Trevor brings in local plants, wildlife, and environmental issues. Barry is noted for balancing local history with the television locations. Ben is described as humorous and a very safe driver, while Lee is praised for his polite manner and strong local knowledge.

That variety matters on a full-day outing. You spend plenty of time in the vehicle, so a guide who can explain what you are passing makes the journey part of the experience rather than dead time.

Starting in York at Coach Stop A

The tour begins at Coach Stop A on Leeman Road, opposite Memorial Gardens and close to York Railway Station. The stated departure time is 9:00 a.m., and you should arrive at least five minutes early because the vehicle cannot wait for late passengers.

The meeting point is about a five-minute walk from the station. The location can also be found with the What3Words reference ///rocks.defend.dive. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, which makes it practical to combine with a stay in central York.

The vehicle holds 16 people, although the stated group limit is 15 participants. That is a useful size for a day involving narrow rural roads. You get more personal contact with the guide than on a large coach, but you should still expect limited time at some stops because the full route covers a lot of ground.

Grassington and the new Darrowby

Grassington is one of the most important stops for fans of the newer series. The village was used as Darrowby, and you can see the locations associated with the Drovers Arms and Skeldale House.

This is the sort of stop where the setting does much of the work. Grassington has the appearance of a traditional Dales village, so the television connection feels natural rather than forced. I would pay close attention to the guide here, since the value comes from knowing which buildings were used and how the village became part of the fictional town.

The tour also takes in Wharfedale scenery used for wider views in the show. These views are a reminder that the series is as much about place as plot. You will see open countryside and valley roads rather than only standing outside buildings for photographs.

A practical point: not every location on the route is a walk-around stop. Some are seen from the vehicle, and Grassington may feel brief if you want time to explore shops or linger over photographs. The tour is designed to show many places in one day, not to provide a long village visit at each one.

Hubberholme and Yockenthwaite

St Michael’s Church in Hubberholme is tied to James and Helen’s wedding in the show. It was also used in the newer series, making it one of the more meaningful locations on the route.

The setting is part of its appeal. This is not simply a film set placed in an anonymous location. The church sits in a rural corner of the Dales, surrounded by the type of quiet scenery that gives the series its gentle, pastoral feel.

Yockenthwaite brings another strong connection. It is associated with Helen’s farm and with the place where James and Helen first kiss in the new series. The surrounding views are among the most scenic parts of the day, although you should remember that the tour may not stop for a long walk here.

This section of the route suits you if you enjoy seeing the real places behind a story. It may be less satisfying if your main goal is to enter every building or recreate scenes on foot. Much of the appeal comes from the view through the vehicle windows and the guide’s explanation.

Wensleydale Creamery and the taste of the Dales

The visit to Wensleydale Creamery adds a welcome food stop to a day otherwise centered on scenery and television. Cheese tasting gives you a direct connection with the farming culture of the area, and it breaks up the long drive.

Food and drinks are not generally included in the tour price, so you should budget for anything beyond the stated tasting experience or plan to buy refreshments separately. The supplied details specifically mention cheese tasting, but they do not promise a full meal.

This is one reason to bring water and a snack. The tour lasts 8.5 hours, and the route includes several rural stretches. One person specifically wished for clearer notice about the first toilet break, so it is sensible to use facilities when you have the chance and avoid assuming that a stop will come immediately.

Bolton Castle and the real James Herriot connection

Bolton Castle is the day’s main historic stop. Entrance to the castle grounds is included, but additional entry fees are not, so check what you want to see before paying for anything extra.

The castle has a strong connection to the real James Herriot story. It is described as the place where he proposed to his wife. That personal link adds something different from the filming sites, since you are moving from the fictional world of the television series to the life that inspired it.

The castle also carries more than 600 years of history. Your guide may discuss its role in the Pilgrimage of Grace, Mary, Queen of Scots’ imprisonment, and a Civil War siege. You will see evidence of those long changes in the castle remains and grounds.

This stop offers more substance than a quick photo opportunity, but the amount of time available is limited by the wider itinerary. If you want a detailed castle visit, you may find the stop too short, especially since the tour includes many other locations. If you prefer a broad day with several themes, Bolton Castle gives the route a useful historical pause.

Carperby and the Wheatsheaf Inn

In Carperby, the tour visits the Wheatsheaf Inn, a quiet village setting linked to James Herriot’s real-life honeymoon. This is another place where the route moves beyond television trivia.

The inn and surrounding village provide a glimpse of the sort of rural setting that shaped Herriot’s life and work. It is a more personal connection than simply identifying a doorway used in a scene. You can take in the countryside atmosphere while hearing how the location fits into the story of the real couple.

The tour information does not promise a meal or a long pub visit, so do not book this expecting an extended lunch stop. Think of Carperby as one of several short, carefully chosen windows into the area.

Askrigg, the original Darrowby

Askrigg was used as Darrowby in the old series. Here you can see the earlier versions of the Drovers Arms and Skeldale House, giving the tour a clear contrast with Grassington, which served as Darrowby in the newer production.

For fans who know both series, this may be the most rewarding comparison of the day. You can see how two different villages were adapted to represent the same fictional place. Even if you have only watched the newer episodes, Askrigg helps explain the show’s visual history.

The old series locations also show how much the production relied on genuine villages rather than elaborate studio construction. The streets, buildings, and surrounding countryside are part of the appeal.

Again, allow for a short visit. You may get time to walk around, but the itinerary does not guarantee a long independent exploration. The guide’s commentary is likely to be especially useful here, since the point is to identify the locations and connect them to the earlier show.

Wensley Church and the road to Hawes

Holy Trinity Church in Wensley was used for James and Helen’s wedding in the old series. It provides another link between the two versions of the story and gives the day a quiet, reflective stop.

The final main destination is Hawes. The town is associated with the Darrowby cattle market and country club from the old series. It also offers broad views of the Yorkshire Dales, making it a fitting place to finish the sightseeing portion of the route.

Hawes is a useful ending because it combines a show reference with a real Dales town. You are not simply stopping at a film prop. You are seeing a working community in the wider setting that inspired Herriot’s books and the television adaptations.

The route then returns to York. After a full day on the road, you will probably appreciate the direct return to the original meeting point rather than having to arrange a separate transfer.

What the day feels like in a 16-seat vehicle

The small vehicle is one of the tour’s practical strengths. You can expect a more personal atmosphere than on a large sightseeing coach, and the guide can keep the commentary focused on the group’s interests.

The tradeoff is that you spend much of the day seated. The route covers a wide area, and some named locations are viewed without getting off. If you need frequent movement or want a long walk in every village, this format may frustrate you.

The driving standard matters on rural roads, and the guides receive especially strong praise for safe driving, clear explanations, humor, and kindness. John is noted for keeping people comfortable throughout the day and for giving a recap on the return journey. That sort of closing summary can help pull together a route with many separate stops.

Weather is another consideration. The Dales can look striking in changing conditions, but rain, snow, or ice may affect how much time you want to spend outside. One outing continued in poor weather and still offered strong scenery, while snowy conditions made careful driving important. Wear shoes and clothing suited to standing outdoors, even though the tour is not presented as a hiking trip.

Is $109.11 good value?

At $109.11 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see one Yorkshire village. It is better judged as a full-day combination of transport, guiding, multiple Dales areas, filming sites, Bolton Castle grounds, and a cheese-related stop.

I think the price makes sense if you would otherwise need to rent a car or arrange several separate journeys. You avoid driving unfamiliar rural roads, and an English-speaking guide supplies local stories throughout the day. The value is strongest for fans who want both old and new filming locations in one trip.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want to see Grassington or Askrigg. In that case, the long route and limited time at some stops may feel like more than you need. Food, drinks, and additional entry fees are not included, so add those costs when planning your budget.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later provide useful flexibility. The minimum age is five, and children under five cannot join. Assistance dogs are allowed, but other dogs are not.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this tour if you:

• Follow either the old or new All Creatures Great and Small series.
• Want to see both Grassington and Askrigg in one day.
• Prefer a guided countryside trip over driving yourself.
• Enjoy local history alongside television locations.
• Like a small group and a guide-led route.
• Want a broad view of the Dales without planning the transport yourself.

I would think twice if you want long walks, extended meals, or plenty of free time in each village. The route is busy, and the tour’s strength is its range rather than slow exploration.

Should you book the All Creatures Great and Small tour?

Book it if the show is your reason for visiting Yorkshire, especially if you want the old and new Darrowby locations together. The combination of Grassington, Askrigg, Hubberholme, Yockenthwaite, Bolton Castle, Wensleydale, and Hawes gives you far more than a single filming-location visit.

The best guide can shape the day, and names such as John, Trevor, Barry, Ben, and Lee have been associated with warm service, local detail, humor, and careful driving. Just keep your expectations realistic: some places are viewed from the vehicle, the day is long, and extra food or entry costs are your responsibility.

For fans and first-time visitors to the Yorkshire Dales, I would book it. For independent explorers who want to set their own pace, a rental car and separate visits may suit you better.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Coach Stop A opposite Memorial Gardens on Leeman Road in York, close to York Railway Station. The What3Words location is ///rocks.defend.dive.

What time does the tour depart?

The stated departure time is 9:00 a.m. You should arrive at least five minutes early because late passengers cannot be held for.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour returns to the original meeting point at Coach Stop A in York.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts 8.5 hours.

How many people are in the group?

The tour uses 16-seat transportation and limits the group to 15 participants.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The live guide and tour commentary are in English.

Are all the filming locations walking stops?

No. You will not get off the vehicle at every location. Some places are viewed from the bus.

Is Bolton Castle admission included?

Entrance to the Bolton Castle grounds is included. Additional entry fees are not included.

Is food included?

Food and drinks are not included. The route includes a visit to Wensleydale Creamery for cheese tasting.

Can children join the tour?

Children must be at least five years old. Children under five cannot join.

Are dogs allowed?

Pets are not allowed, although assistance dogs are permitted.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.