The gentle TV series All Creatures Great and Small, chronicling the adventures of Yorkshire vet, James Herriot, has been a huge hit on both sides of the Atlantic, and is set to return to our screens later this year. With its low-stakes storylines – which might include a cow with sunstroke, a dog stuck in a peat bog, or calcium-deficient sheep – the series harks back to a simpler age.
But adorable animals and winsome vets notwithstanding, it’s the unspoilt, tranquil landscapes that are the real star of the show. I spent a day with Tim Barber of Real Yorkshire Tours to explore the Dales’ most beautiful corners, from All Creatures locations to lost-in-time villages; from majestic abbeys to ancient valleys dotted with the traces of Saxons and Vikings. To experience the highlights of the Dales in a day, Tim takes me to Wensleydale and Wharfedale, each of which has its own distinct identity. An engaging and personable guide, Tim has an astonishing wealth of local knowledge.
