A "picturesque" Yorkshire Dales village is still drawing visitors thanks to its starring role in one of Britain’s best-loved television dramas in the 70s, 80s and 90s.
Askrigg, in Upper Wensleydale, became famous as the fictional village of Darrowby in the original BBC series All Creatures Great and Small, which aired from 1978 to 1990.
The village, around 12 miles from Leyburn and five miles from Hawes, sits within the Yorkshire Dales National Park and has long been admired for its stone-built streets, traditional pubs, waterfall walks and surrounding countryside by visitors and residents alike.
But for many visitors, Askrigg’s biggest draw is its connection to James Herriot’s classic stories.
Fans of the original series often describe the village as “instantly recognisable”, with many saying it still "feels like stepping into the world of James Herriot, Siegfried and Tristan Farnon".
The BBC adaptation used Askrigg as Darrowby, the fictional market town where Herriot worked as a young vet in the Yorkshire Dales.
One of the most recognisable locations is Cringley House, which doubled as the exterior of Skeldale House, the veterinary surgery and home at the centre of the series.
For many fans, seeing the building in person is a highlight of a visit.
Some describe it as “a must-see for All Creatures fans”, while others say the village has “hardly lost any of its old Darrowby atmosphere”.
Although the newer Channel 5 version of All Creatures Great and Small was filmed in Grassington, in Wharfedale, Askrigg remains closely associated with the original series.
For long-time viewers, it is still regarded as the “real Darrowby”.
Many say the village has a “nostalgic” quality, while others praise its “proper Dales character” and “timeless Yorkshire feel”.
The village’s traditional appearance made it a natural fit for the series.
With its stone cottages, historic market cross and views across Wensleydale, Askrigg gave viewers the kind of authentic rural backdrop that became central to the show’s appeal.
Visitors often comment that the village feels “unspoilt”, “peaceful” and “beautifully kept”, with one of its main attractions being that it still looks and feels like a working Dales community rather than a staged tourist attraction.
The village has three traditional pubs, a village shop, tea rooms and a bakery, making it a popular stop for walkers, day-trippers and television fans exploring Upper Wensleydale.
Many visitors describe the pubs as “cosy”, “friendly” and “full of character”, while the village itself is often praised as a “lovely place to wander”, especially for those interested in the original All Creatures Great and Small filming locations.
The village is close to scenic routes leading to Mill Gill Force and Whitfield Gill Force, two waterfalls tucked away in woodland near the village.
Its position between Leyburn and Hawes also makes it a useful base for exploring the wider Yorkshire Dales, while still retaining the feel of a peaceful rural village.
Askrigg’s history stretches much further back than its television fame, though.
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The village was recorded in the Domesday Book as Ascric, and its name is believed to come from Old Norse words meaning a ridge where ash trees grew.
For fans of All Creatures Great and Small, Askrigg offers the chance to step into Darrowby and see the village that helped define the look and feel of the original series.
For everyone else, it remains one of Wensleydale’s most charming villages, with a mix of history, countryside, traditional hospitality and quiet Yorkshire Dales character.
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