We visited Thirsk for the sole reason of seeing the Surgery-turned-museum of "James Herriot", a local veterinarian who gained fame, fortune and fans from all over the world due to his books, including "All Creatures Great and Small", which were the basis of 2 films and a very successful British television series of the same name. Although "James", known in real life as Alf Wight, died just 3 1/2 years prior to our visit to this mecca for Herriot fans, one could almost feel his presence, and that of his friends and coworkers "Sigfried and Tristan Farnon", in the preserved lower floor and garden of this building that was once residence and business to Herriot and his family. Part of the ground floor has been turned into a mock-tv studio set. The upper floor has been converted to a museum that both children and adults love for its hands-on friendliness and historical interest.