Darrowby is a fictional village in the North Riding of Yorkshire, England, which was used by James Herriot as the setting for his surgery in his book It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet. The book inspired the television seriesAll Creatures Great and Small, from which the information is drawn. Darrowby is a composite of Thirsk, Richmond, Leyburn and Middleham. Askrigg, in Wensleydale, was used for filming scenes set in Darrowby in the series. In the first three series of the television series, the surgery's phone number was "Darrowby 85"; for the final four series it became "Darrowby 385".
Amenities
The Skeldale House veterinary surgery of central characters Siegfried Farnon and James Herriot is on Trengate. Although the vets are based here, they travel all over the Dales. Darrowby Church is a few hundred feet from the surgery, beyond the small market cross. Everyone at Skeldale attends Sunday service when possible. from the northern side of the church The local pub, the Drovers Arms, is on the opposite side of Trengate, a little further up the hill. The Darrowby Hotel and Drovers Arms are among the inns in the village. The Plaza is the local cinema. Mr Edwards' carpentry shop is on Market Street. Bob Howell's Music Shop is where Siegfried buys Tristan the acoustic guitar he had been admiring. The villagebutcher is A. Bainbridge and Sons. Sandra's ladies' hair stylist is directly across from the surgery, a few doors up from Roland Partridge's cottage. The Darrowby constabulary has consisted of P.C. Claude Blenkiron, P.C. Smith, P.C. Leach, P.C. Goole and P.C. Hicks.
Transport
In the first three series, only once was a railway station mentioned, at Tristan’s arrival. That was filmed at Leyburn railway station on the Wensleydale Railway. All other visitors travel by bus, arriving at Darrowby bus stop. Also in series 1 to 3 a green bus was used. This bus is actually a bus from Winchester. The bus belongs tothe king Alfred preservation society of Winchester. In its time during the 1930s it would have been a regular sight around the streets of Winchester. In series 4, the station is called Mannerton, filmed at Goathland railway station on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. From series 5, those travelling to Darrowby by train have to alight at neighbouring Rainby Halt. Finghall Station a few miles east of Leyburn was given a makeover as Rainby Halt for filming the series.
Media
The local newspapers are The Darrowby and Houlton Times and the Daily Dispatch.
Culture
Annual events in the village include the Darrowby and Houlton Show and the Vegetable Show.
Sport
The local cricket team, based in Rainby, is featured in the episode "The Name of the Game", when they play arch-rivals Hedwick. The annual Gentlemen v. Players match can be seen in "Big Fish, Little Fish". Darrowby Golf Club is on the fell top.
