WALKS & DRIVES Creature comforts on my Herriot pilgrimage

*** SUNDAY DRIVER Following in the tyre tracks of Christopher Timothy and Robert Hardy, Richard Webber tackles the Yorkshire Dales in a Peugeot 5008

hat better way to celebrate the recent 40th anniversary of my family’s favourite drama, All Creatures Great and Small, than a Sunday drive through the rolling landscapes of the majestic Yorkshire Dales?

During the 12 years that the TV series – based on books by vet Alf Wight, alias James Herriot – was filmed in this neck of the woods, the small-screen vets travelled up hill and down dale in a range of vehicles, including a Morris 8 Tourer, Austin 7 and hefty Rover 75.

But with two kids in tow, as well as not wanting to be burdened by a column-shift gear change or musclewrenching steering from the days before power assistance, we decide to explore the spectacular limestone valleys and picture-postcard villages in the comfort of a new Peugeot 5008.

Over the years, we’ve owned several Peugeots, including a hard-working 206 SW, still going strong with more than 270,000 miles on the clock. The 5008 is sleeker and more stylish than the original, boxy model it superseded; its longer, more upright tail allows not only two additional seats but extra space for luggage, which is already proving useful as we pile our day’s gear and provisions into the boot.

The winter sun warms our skin on a gloriously bright morning as we leave Stow House, a boutique B&B in the heart of Wensleydale, in our petrolblue 5008. The raised ride height provides good visibility as we wind our way along narrow lanes while Peugeot’s latest i- Cockpit display introduces us to a digital, hi-tech world; the compact steering wheel looks rather hitech, too, although its new shape proves a tad awkward at times.

There is nothing awkward about the ride, however: the long wheelbase and soft suspension set-up mean the odd pothole I fail to avoid as we cross the River Ure en route to Bolton Castle, our first stop, are unnoticeable.

We’ve decided to visit locations used in the TV series with the 14th-century castle being where James Herriot (played by Christopher Timothy) proposed to Helen ( played, initially, by Carol Drinkwater, later Lynda Bellingham). While a strengthening breeze picks up from the west, we climb the tower to enjoy panoramic views across the undulating landscape.

By the time we head east, picking up the A6108 to Richmond, we’re feeling peckish so stop in the pretty market town for refreshments. Built around a castle, the town was founded by the Normans in the 11th century. We stroll the streets before visiting Cross View Tea Rooms for tasty tray bakes and welcome drinks.

Next on our itinerary is Reeth, 11 miles west of Richmond, but instead of taking the direct route along the B6270 we detour to Grinton. This affords us the chance to marvel at true Yorkshire Dales countryside. Our heads twist in all directions as we’re treated to expansive views across the high, open moorland. We pass Grinton Lodge, now a youth hostel but used as a prisoner-ofwar camp in the TV series, before continuing to Reeth, where shops and the hotel provided some of the backdrops in the series.

‘The smallscreen vets travelled up hill and down dale in a Morris 8 Tourer, Austin 7 and hefty Rover 75’

Sunday 27 January 2019

What is orthosomnia? (a) Being so obsessed with sleeping patterns that you fail to sleep properly (b) Creaking joints and general stiffness when you get out of bed in the morning (c) Being kept awake all night by your spouse or partner’s snoring

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