Area Guide

Thirsk is one of North Yorkshire’s smaller market towns situated close to the A1 in the parish of Hambleton with a population close to 5,000. Thirsk attracts a lot of tourists due to it being so close to the North York Moors National Park, the famous Thirsk Racecourse and for being the home town of the much loved author James Herriot.

About Thirsk

Thirsk centres around a fairly large cobbled market square that dates back to the medieval times. The weekly market is still held twice a week every Monday and Saturday. At the market you will be able to pick up all sorts from vegetables and fruit to computer games. Alternatively there is a selection of small shops that provide the essentials. To add to the beauty of Thirsk the Cod Beck runs through the centre.

James Herriot

James Alfred Wight aka James Herriot is one of the nation’s most popular writers. Not only has he sold millions of novels his stories became the grounding of two films and the famous TV series All Creatures Great and Small.

At Thirsk you can be one of the many thousand s of people that visit The World of James Herriot centre. The centre reveals the man behind the fictional vet and the world in which he lived. The original television set that was used in the making of All Creatures Great and Small is also on show.

Thirsk Racecourse

Thirsk Racecourse attracts huge crowds every year. It is a very popular track for a day at the races in the North as it has been providing quality races for over 150 years. Different events are held so it is best to check their website for the latest events and fixtures.