The World Of James Herriot

04/09/2026

04/09/2026

31/08/2026

What a day. 🎉

On Saturday we officially opened the doors to our brand new Heartbeat Experience - and what a way to mark the occasion.

David Lonsdale, beloved by millions as David Stockwell in Heartbeat, joined us here at the World of James Herriot www.worldofjamesherriot.com to officially open the exhibition. He was absolutely wonderful - warm, funny, and genuinely moved by what we had created together.

But the moment that will stay with us longest was seeing the family of Nicholas Rhea / Peter Walker - standing in the recreation of his home study, surrounded by his own belongings, his books, his desk, exactly as he left them. It was a quietly emotional and deeply special moment.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Saturday. Thank you to David Lonsdale for making the day so memorable. And our deepest thanks to Rhoda Walker and the family of Nicholas Rhea for their extraordinary generosity in making this exhibition possible.

Heartbeat has come home to Yorkshire and we couldn't be prouder. Two iconic Yorkshire classics, one unforgettable day out!

17/08/2026

Hi everyone, hope you all had a great weekend. Thanks so much for your lovely comments about the Memorial Garden special last week. If you want to enquire about getting a plaque in the garden for your pet, email [email protected]. And, if you do have a plaque, you don’t have to pay the museum entry fee when you visit the garden to see it. Tomorrow we’ll have a first look at Thursday’s brand new episode, which includes a trip to one of the country’s most iconic pubs for a sheep show! Watch this space …

05/08/2026

Yesterday was a hoot! 🦉

Sparky the barn owl paid us a visit for International Owl Awareness Day - and made herself right at home next to Alf Wight's statue in our garden.

Thank you Tracey and Sparky... You made a lot of people very happy yesterday.

04/08/2026

It's International Owl Awareness Day, and we've got a very special visitor in the garden at 23 Kirkgate today! 🦉 Tracey Iceton has brought along her beautiful barn owl Sparky, who's settled in nicely right by Alf Wight's statue, to chat about her book "Sparky - my barn owl story" and introduce visitors to this gorgeous bird up close. Come and say hello while they're here today, we'd love to see you!

03/08/2026

Today we remember a truly wonderful actor...

Nine years ago today, we lost Robert Hardy. The man who brought the magnificent Siegfried Farnon to life in the original BBC series of All Creatures Great and Small.

Gruff, warm, brilliant, and utterly unforgettable. His family described him as "gruff, elegant, twinkly, and always dignified". Anyone who watched him as Siegfried will know exactly what they meant.

For so many people, Robert Hardy IS Siegfried Farnon. His portrayal of Alf Wight's larger-than-life partner helped introduce millions of viewers around the world to the stories of James Herriot - and brought countless fans to our door here in Thirsk. www.worldofjamesherriot.com

We are so grateful for everything he gave to this story. He is greatly missed.

Rest well, Robert.