Story locations, real countryside, and a cheese stop. This Yorkshire Dales tour from York turns your favorite TV world into places you can point at on a map, with All Creatures Great and Small filming locations from Grassington to Hawes. I especially like the mix of character sites and big open views, plus the stop for Wensleydale Creamery cheese tasting. One thing to consider up front: you will not get off the bus at every single location, so some moments are watch-and-snap, not wander.

I also like the small-group setup, limited to 15 people on a 16-seat coach, which makes it easier to hear the guide and settle in for a full day. Guides such as John and Trevor (plus Barry, Ben, and Lee) are repeatedly praised for clear, story-led commentary and keeping everyone feeling looked after.

The day is long at 8.5 hours, so the main drawback is simple: you need to manage your comfort, especially around restroom timing and weather. Dress in layers, and plan to take in the countryside from your seat as much as from your feet.

Key points before you go

• All Creatures Great and Small filming locations, from both eras: new-series Darrowby Village spots like Grassington and old-series Darrowby stops like Askrigg.
• Bolton Castle is more than a backdrop: it’s tied to the real James Herriot proposal, plus major historical scars from centuries of events.
• You’re not stuck inside a schedule box: the day is built around sweeping dales views, not just quick photo stops.
• Small group feel on a comfortable coach: limited to 15 participants, English-speaking driver/guide, and a tight, easy-to-follow route.
• Wensleydale Creamery cheese tasting adds a tasty break in a day full of story stops.
• You won’t hop off for every stop: some locations are best appreciated from the window or roadside viewpoints.

Getting to York and out into the dales in one smooth push

This is a day trip that starts in York, with pickup at Coach Stop A opposite Memorial Gardens on Leeman Road (Y01 6FZ). The departure time is 09:00, and you’ll want to arrive about five minutes early because they cannot wait for late passengers. The pickup point is also a short walk next to York Railway Station, which is handy if you’re arriving by train.

The tour runs for 8.5 hours, and it uses a small coach with room for 16 passengers, while the group limit is 15 people. That extra breathing room matters on a long drive through the dales, because you can spread out a bit, keep your camera accessible, and actually listen when the guide talks.

One detail I’d flag: the day includes many places you’ll see from the bus, and you will not stop to get off the bus at all locations. That’s not a deal-break, but it does change how you plan your day. Think of it as a guided drive with key stopovers, not a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing marathon.

Grassington’s Darrowby Village feeling, right down to the Drovers Arms

Grassington is one of the first big fan-favorite moments on this route. It’s used as Darrowby Village in the new series, and the tour is designed so you can connect names from the screen to real streets and stone buildings.

What I like about the Grassington stop is that it’s not just one landmark. You’re pointed toward the Drovers Arms and Skeldale House, which are two of the most recognizable anchors of the show. Standing there makes the stories feel more grounded, especially if you’ve spent years watching the series and imagining how it all fits together.

Even if you only have a short window, the payoff is the same: you leave with a clearer mental picture of the show’s geography. That matters because the dales are big. Without the guide connecting dots, it’s easy to miss how a few key villages, valleys, and roads shape the entire feel of the story.

St Michaels in Hubberholme, and the show’s marriage scene places

Next comes St Michaels in Hubberholme, tied to a marriage scene in the show. The tour also notes that this location was used in the new series, and it’s positioned with breathtaking countryside views around it.

This is the kind of stop where you’ll want to pause for a few minutes, not rush through. Churches and small village spaces in the dales often feel simple at first, but the atmosphere hits harder when you remember the context the guide gives you. If you’re a fan of the relationship moments from the series, this stop is built for that exact kind of appreciation.

Also, because it’s a countryside church setting, weather can shift fast. If you’re hoping for comfortable photos, bring a layer you can add or remove without turning it into a full production.

Yockenthwaite and Wharfedale: where big views do the storytelling

The tour spends time in the areas associated with the show’s most emotional scenery beats, including Yockenthwaite. It’s described as known for incredible views and is linked to Helen’s farm and Helen and James’ first kiss in the new series.

Then there’s Wharfedale, which is used for landscape scenes in the old and/or earlier filming context described on this tour. The key point for you is not whether you catch every framed shot the show used. It’s that these places help you understand why the series leans so heavily on open-air drama and quiet rural life.

Here’s my practical take: when the day turns toward wide countryside, pay attention to where roads curve, where stone walls break up fields, and how distances look from village centers. Those details are what make the dales feel like the dales, not just a set of pretty villages.

Wensleydale and Swaledale: the old-series scenery roads

As the day moves into Wensleydale and Swaledale, the tour focuses on areas where a lot of landscape scenes from the old series were filmed. If you love the earlier tone of the show, this is where you’ll start recognizing the “feel” even if you don’t immediately spot the exact building.

Two things make this segment valuable for your money. First, it’s not just a drive. The guide’s job is to connect what you’re seeing to what you love from the show. Second, this is where the dales stretch out and you get context for why the story world works: farms, valleys, and small settlements linked by roads.

If your energy dips during long drives, this is still the part worth staying engaged. Even from the coach, you can spot view lines and valley shapes that you’ll remember later.

Bolton Castle: entry included, history included, and a Herriot connection

Now for a stop that’s both a fan moment and a real-world history lesson: Bolton Castle. This is included with entrance to the grounds, which is a clear value point baked into the price.

The tour ties Bolton Castle to the real-life James Herriot proposal, and that makes it feel more than cinematic. But the big reason this stop lands is the sheer historical weight described for the site, including references to its 600-year history, involvement in the Pilgrimage of Grace, Mary Queen of Scots’ imprisonment, and a Civil War siege.

Even if you’re not the type who reads every sign, you’ll feel the scale. Stone castles in this part of England tend to make history physical. You can picture why a proposal here would be dramatic, and you can also feel how the place has outlasted centuries of change.

One practical note: because you’re visiting the castle grounds, comfy shoes matter more than you might think. You don’t need hiking boots, but you do need something with decent grip.

Carperby’s Wheatsheaf Inn, plus a real honeymoon story

The tour then takes you to the Wheatsheaf Inn in Carperby, a village known here for the spot where James and his wife had their honeymoon in real life.

I like this kind of stop because it shifts you from filming locations to the everyday places that shape a life. It’s also a good palate cleanser after castle time. Instead of studying stone walls and history facts, you can focus on a simpler idea: this is where people ate, rested, and started something new.

This part of the day also helps if you want photos, but not only for show scenes. The villages around Carperby are built for that classic dales look, where small-town details make a big difference in your pictures.

Askrigg and Wensley: the old-series Darrowby Village and church scene

As the day turns back toward York, you’ll stop in Askrigg, which is used as Darrowby Village in the old series. The tour also points out the Drovers Arms and Skeldale House here again, reinforcing the dual-era experience: new-series Darrowby in Grassington, old-series Darrowby in Askrigg.

Then there’s Holy Trinity Church in Wensley, linked to the marriage of James and Helen in the old series.

If you’re a serious fan, this is a clever design choice. It gives you a chance to compare two versions of the story world. And if you’re not the kind of fan who hunts every location, it still works because the stops build a natural arc: romance, community spaces, then a final push into the towns.

Hawes: wrapping up with the Darrowby cattle market scene

Your final stop is in Hawes, where you can see the Darrowby cattle market and country club from the old series. The town is also described as offering stunning views of the Yorkshire Dales, which is a great way to close an already packed day.

This is where I recommend you slow down just a bit. By now, your brain is full of names, places, and show references. Hawes gives you room to let it all settle, with a final dose of dales atmosphere to carry home.

If the weather cooperates, this is one of the better moments to capture the countryside around Hawes, not just buildings. It’s a nice reminder that even show fans are really here for the place itself.

Price and value: what $109.11 gets you on a long day

The listed price is $109.11 per person. At first glance, that can sound like a lot for a bus day. But for this specific experience, the value comes from three things.

First, you’re paying for guided driving plus interpretation. This tour doesn’t just hand you a list of spots. It’s structured around story context, and a strong guide is the difference between seeing villages and truly understanding why they matter.

Second, you get small-group attention with a limit of 15 people. On a day trip where you’re likely to spend lots of time in transit, the ability to actually hear the guide matters.

Third, Bolton Castle grounds entry is included. That’s a direct, concrete add-on. Food and drink are not included, so you should budget for lunch and snacks on your own, but the day’s main attractions have real structure.

Comfort and timing tips for an 8.5-hour day

A full day in the dales means you should think like a practical traveler, not just a show fan.

Bring layers. Even when the forecast looks fine, countryside air can turn chilly. Add a small umbrella if you tend to get cold or damp easily.

Also, because the tour notes that you won’t get off the bus at all locations, you may spend stretches seated. Bring a phone charger if you use GPS and take lots of photos, and keep your coat and camera within reach.

Restroom timing can be the only real pinch point. Some guides are good at giving heads-up, but the best approach is to listen closely when you’re told when the next break might be, and drink water steadily rather than chugging right before a long drive.

Finally, manage expectations about how long you’ll spend at each stop. People generally loved the guide and the scenery, but you should expect a packed itinerary. If you want deeply unhurried wandering time in every village, you may feel a little rushed at some points. If you want a well-paced route that hits the big story nodes, you’ll feel in good hands.

Who this All Creatures Great and Small tour fits best

This tour is a great match if you fall into one of these categories:

• You’re a fan of All Creatures Great and Small and want to see how the show’s two Darrowby versions connect to real places.
• You like countryside days but also want a guide to explain what you’re looking at.
• You prefer a small-group day over a big bus full of strangers.
• You’re interested in Bolton Castle history, not just filming locations.

It might be less ideal if you want lots of free time. The tour is built to cover many sites in one go, and not every stop becomes a long walk.

And a heads-up for pets: pets are not allowed. Dogs are not allowed on the tour, though assistance dogs are allowed.

Should you book this Yorkshire Dales filming locations day?

If you want a single, organized day that connects the show to the dales, I’d book it. The combination of Grassington and Askrigg (new and old Darrowby), Bolton Castle with included grounds entry, and the Wensleydale Creamery cheese tasting gives you variety. Add in small-group pacing and guides like John, Trevor, Barry, Ben, and Lee who are repeatedly praised for story-driven guiding, and you’re set up for a day that feels both fun and grounded.

I’d hesitate only if you dislike long seated drives or you need lots of stop-by-stop free time. But if you’re happy with a guided day where you learn as you look, this is a smart way to spend your time in North Yorkshire.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Coach Stop A, opposite Memorial Gardens on Leeman Road, York (Y01 6FZ). Pickup is described as about a five-minute walk next to York Railway Station.

What time does the tour depart from York?

The start time listed is 09:00. You’re advised to arrive about five minutes before departure because the tour cannot wait for late passengers.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 8.5 hours.

What is included in the ticket price?

Included items are entrance to Bolton Castle grounds, an English-speaking driver/guide, and 16-seat transportation.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drink are not included. Additional entry fees are also not included.

How big is the group?

It’s a small group, limited to 15 participants.

Are pets or dogs allowed?

Pets are not allowed. Dogs are not allowed on the tour, though assistance dogs are allowed.

Will the bus stop and let everyone get off at every location?

No. The tour notes that you will not stop to get off the bus at all locations.