The small town of Thirsk in North Yorkshire has been described as a “gem” and a “charming” place to visit, with a bustling market square and a selection of independent shops
This delightful UK town featured in Channel 5’s All Creatures Great and Small, with the hit programme recently wrapping up filming across Yorkshire for its sixth series.
Nestled between the North Yorkshire Moors and Yorkshire Dales lies the quaint town of Thirsk, now renowned for its appeal and “wonderful” character.
Perfectly positioned near Harrogate and Ripon, Thirsk can be reached via the A19, close to the major north-south A1 route.
The official Visit Thirsk website revealed that international visitors continue to be “impressed by the warm and friendly welcome of the residents of this gem of a town”.
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York Press’s tourism team noted: “Thirsk has a charm of its own, essentially unchanged and uninfluenced by the world. It centres around a bustling cobbled market square, dominated by the town clock, with its Monday & Saturday markets” that stretch back to Medieval times, reports the Express.
Residents and holidaymakers can find everything from handcrafted keepsakes to fresh produce along its high street packed with “incredible, independent shops” and dining spots, according to Visit Thirsk Town.
Meeting visitors’ tastes, the town boasts beloved cafés, restaurants and pubs, ideal for a traditional English breakfast, Sunday roast, or classic Northern pint.
York Press’s top recommendations include Yorks Of Thirsk, The Pantry and Tea Time Cafe for a delicious treat. Thirsk is not just a market town, it’s also the home of author James Herriot (Alf Wight), famed for his literary series All Creatures Great and Small.
The series, penned under the name of Wight, has been picked up by Channel 5 to celebrate Yorkshire’s diverse wildlife. And if that wasn’t enough, Thirsk is also home to a historic country racecourse, established in 1855 and described as a “beautifully maintained paddock [with] idyllic country charm,” according to the town’s website.
Take a stroll along the Cod Beck River or challenge yourself with a hike on Hambleton Hills or the moorland tracks of The Drove Road and The Swale Way that run from Boroughbridge to Kirby Stephen. Keep an eye out for the legendary White Horse of Kilburn perched on Thirsk’s hills and marvel at the sandstone homesteads that look like they’ve been lifted straight from a novel.