Thirsk Infant School

The schoolhouse in Thirsk where James Herriot taught still stands as a modest red-brick reminder of mid-20th-century rural education. It's the building that inspired much of the beloved vet's writing - he based his fictional practice and characters on real life in this Yorkshire market town, and the school itself features in his stories and later adaptations.

You won't find elaborate exhibits here. This is a working or preserved building rather than a visitor attraction with staff and opening times. What you get is the chance to see where Herriot spent his days before becoming a writer, to understand the place that shaped his observations of Yorkshire life. It's modest, frankly - a single building rather than a sprawling site - but that's rather the point. The appeal lies in the connection to Herriot's world rather than any grand historical spectacle.

History enthusiasts and Herriot fans will find it worthwhile, though you'll want to combine it with a proper walk round Thirsk itself. The town has several other Herriot links and is a pleasant stop in its own right. Families with older children who've read the books might appreciate it; younger ones may find it a bit underwhelming without context.

If you're staying at Hillside Caravan Park just outside town or Woodland Lakes Lodges a couple of miles away, it's easily fitted into a morning. Expect fifteen minutes to half an hour, longer if you're really into Herriot. Check opening before you visit - access isn't guaranteed.