James Alfred Wight, who wrote under the pseudonym of James Herriot, became one of the most popular writers of the twentieth century. His books, a series of stories based on his experiences as a young veterinary surgeon working among the farming community of North Yorkshire, sold in their millions throughout the world. Their great success spawned two feature films in the mid 1970s, followed by a BBC television series, All Creatures Great and Small, which enjoyed global success in the late 1970s and early 80s. Most recently a TV series was commissioned showing the life and times of James Herriot in his younger days.
Alfred Wight died in 1995 but his books still sell, with an estimated total sales figure now in excess of 80 million copies, the television series is still played throughout the world. In 1999 Hambleton District Council invested £1.4 million and established The World of James Herriot in Thirsk, North Yorkshire. Since it’s opening – the centre has attracted over half million visitors worldwide. It continues to attract people far and wide, looking to get an insight into the life of Yorkshires best loved author.
See his home and surgery, travel back in time to what life was like when James was a vet in Yorkshire.
The World of James Herriot
23 Kirkgate, Thirsk,
North Yorkshire, YO7 1PL
Tel: 01845 524234
