Holidays for Herriot Fans at Pry House Farm B&B
So, as a James Herriot fan why should you come to Pry House Farm B&B?
- When you book Bed & Breakfast at Pry House Farm you are coming to stay on a traditional, working hill farm with a genuine farmer and a genuine farmer's wife. Although Alf Wight (the real James Herriot) did not practise in Upper Swaledale, Pry House Farm is typical of the type of farm that Alf Wight would have visited on a daily basis throughout his working life.
- Chris and I are both staunch fans of All Creatures Great and Small and have an in depth knowledge of the locations that were used for the filming of the BBC tv series. We can point you in the direction of many of the iconic locations such as the famous watersplash that James & Siegfried drive through in the opening sequence of every episode, The Red Lion in Langthwaite that has a gallery of photographs of the cast during filming, Askrigg (or Darrowby) with its cobbled streets, market cross and Skeldale House (its still there!).
- During your stay with us have a meal at Keld Lodge. Keld Lodge was formerly Keld Youth Hostel and is where Alf Wight stayed when walking in Swaledale which, by the way, was his favourite dale! The Punchbowl in Low Row is another excellent place to eat and is where Robert Hardy who played Siegfried Farnon stayed during filming.
Do you like to walk or do you prefer touring in your car? Or a bit of both?
Whichever, a trip to the The World of James Herriot in Thirsk is a MUST for all fans.
- Step inside the World of James Herriot where Alf Wight worked, lived and wrote his incredibly popular and successful series of books based on his own experiences as a young vet in North Yorkshire https://worldofjamesherriot.com/. A visit to this incredible museum which was the vet's home and surgery is always on my list of places to go when we have a day off the farm. See the kitchen, the surgery, the dispensary and the living room where Alf Wight tapped out his stories on his manual typewriter and the rest, as they say, is history. Of course there is lots more - I promise you, you won't be disappointed.
- If you are a keen walker then why not follow in the footsteps of Alf Wight? While you are here walk part or parts of The Herriot Way https://www.herriotway.com/. The Herriot Way is a 4 day, 52 mile circular walk that encompasses Swaledale and Wensleydale. It is a holiday in itself but can easily be broken down into half day sections of 5-7 mile walks which can be incorporated into your day's activities. Keld to Gunnerside is lovely, as is Gunnerside to Reeth and Askrigg to Hawes however if you fancy some high level hill walking then have a go at Hawes to Keld over Great Shunner Fell (Yorkshire's 3rd highest mountain). I have maps and guides at Pry House Farm for you to borrow.
- The Herriot Trail. Spend a day or two following the Herriot Trail in Swaledale and Wensleydale. Discover many of the locations and landmarks synonymous with the BBC All Creatures Great & Small series. Also discover other less-known little places that held a more personal significance to Alf and Joan Wight. Find a Herriot Trail leaflet at Pry House Farm and Hillcrest Cottage or download a copy here Herriot Trail Booklet
- Visit Grassington, the home of Darrowby in the new Channel 5 version of All Creatures Great & Small. The drive from Pry House Farm in Swaledale over the Buttertubs Pass into Wensleydale then into Whafedale is simply breathtaking. This tantalising scenic route passes through the quaintest little places with even quainter names such as Buckden, Starbotton and Kettlewell. Return via Coverdale for a truly perfect Dales Day Out.
- And finally at the end of your day kick back and relax with a good James Herriot book and a hot drink out of an All Creatures Great & Small mug. And yes, I know all the best places to find the best Herriot memorabilia! I look forward to sharing them with you. Contact me via our website Upper Swaledale Holidays to discuss your perfect 4, 5 or 6 day Herriot Holiday.
