Already admired for its cobbled market square, stone cottages and surrounding Dales scenery, Grassington has found a new audience after doubling as the fictional town of Darrowby in Channel 5’s hit series All Creatures Great and Small.
Now, with filming underway for series seven and the show recently crowned Best Drama Series at the TV Choice Awards, the spotlight on this picturesque Dales town shows no sign of fading any time soon.
Long before television crews arrived, Grassington was regularly praised by visitors as “beautiful,” “full of character,” and “idyllic”.
Grassington (Image: ANDREW QUINN/NORTHERN ECHO CAMERA CLUB)
Its historic square, lined with independent cafés, galleries and small shops, has always made it a natural stop for day-trippers exploring Wharfedale.
But since the 2020 reboot of All Creatures Great and Small, inspired by James Herriot’s beloved veterinary tales, the town has taken on a second identity.
Each series sees Grassington carefully transformed into 1930s and 40s Darrowby.
Modern signage disappears, shopfronts are redressed, and vintage props line the cobbled streets, transporting visitors back almost a century.
Producers chose Grassington for its authenticity.
The town’s stone-built architecture and preserved market square require little alteration to recreate the world of Herriot’s stories.
Fans wandering through the square will quickly spot familiar backdrops.
The Devonshire Arms is reimagined on screen as The Drovers Arms, where many of the drama’s key scenes unfold.
Just outside Grassington (Image: BRIAN GRAY/NORTHERN ECHO CAMERA CLUB)
The Stripey Badger bookshop becomes Endelby’s Grocers, while a private residence in the town serves as Skeldale House, the surgery and home of James Herriot and his colleagues.
The Devonshire Arms previously described being approached by a location scout in summer 2019, initially unaware that the production would be a remake of All Creatures Great and Small.
“Little did we know that this would be the beginning of a huge adventure,” the pub said, recalling how the show became “the worst-kept secret in the Dales”.
They added that watching the transformation process, from dressed shopfronts to props such as the temporary portico and even period post boxes, has been “fascinating”.
The square has also hosted large-scale scenes, including the annual Darrowby Show, bringing much of the fictional community together on screen.
The series has become Channel 5’s most successful drama to date, reaching more than 14 million viewers across its first five series and remaining the channel’s top programme year after year.
It has also developed a strong international following, particularly in the United States, through PBS.
That popularity has translated into a surge of visitors to Grassington.
Filming for All Creatures Great and Small (Image: CHANNEL5)
Tourists often arrive clutching maps of filming locations, eager to stand outside the pub, the grocer’s shop and the vet’s surgery they recognise from television.
Local businesses have reported steady increases in trade, from overnight stays to café footfall, as the town cements its place on the tourist map.
While filming can bring temporary road closures and disruption, many residents have embraced Grassington’s starring role, expressing pride at seeing their home celebrated on screen.
The cast and crew recently thanked fans after the show was named Best Drama Series at the TV Choice Awards.
In a social media message marking the end of series six, which concluded with an emotional Christmas Eve episode set in 1945, the team said: “What an honour to be named Best Drama Series.
“Thank you to every single person who voted and supported Series 6. Your support truly means the world to us.”
With series seven now filming in the Yorkshire Dales and both series seven and eight confirmed, Grassington’s future as Darrowby appears secure.
Greg Barnett, Commissioning Editor at Channel 5, described the programme as “a jewel in 5’s drama crown”, praising its warmth, humour and heart set against the beauty of Yorkshire.
Yet even without its television fame, Grassington offers plenty to draw visitors.
Beyond browsing the square’s independent shops and stopping in its traditional pubs, visitors can explore riverside walks along the River Wharfe, head onto Grassington Moor for panoramic views or plan their trip around one of the town’s well-known events, including its Christmas market and summer arts festivals.
As staycations continue to appeal to travellers seeking slower, more scenic breaks, Grassington stands out as both a quintessential Dales market town and a small-screen star.