The World of James Herriot
The World of James Herriot is situated in the small market town of Thirsk in North Yorkshire. The museum covers the life and books of the twentieth century vet and author James Herriot (1916-1995) within the Yorkshire Dales.
Skeldale House, the location of the World of James Herriot Museum, was the real home of veterinarian Alfred Wight, portrayed as James Herriot in his books and TV series. When Alf Wright died in 1995, Hambleton District Council bought the house and began a restoration programme on the building. This included a recreation of the original living quarters and sets from the All Creatures Great and Small television series based on the books.
The museum pays a unique tribute to the life and times of Alf Wight, otherwise known as James Herriot, author of 'All Creatures Great and Small' and many other stories about his work as a vet. It allows visitors see a snapshot of life in the 1940s. The house is as it existed in the 1940s with the sitting room, breakfast room, kitchen, and dining rooms on display. The dispensary with its bottles is also frozen in time as is the consulting room. The building next door has been incorporated into Skeldale house as a further display area for the museum.