World of James Herriot, Thirsk: Heartbeat star David Lonsdale to unveil new visitor experience at Yorkshire attraction
The World of James Herriot attraction will be opening its new visitor experience, unveiled by Heartbeat star David Lonsdale.
The new experience at World of James Herriot will open to the public on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 1pm when a unique Heartbeat Exhibition will be unveiled by David Lonsdale.
Heartbeat is based on the Constable series of novels written by Nicholas Rhea, (the pen-name of former policeman Peter Walker) and produced by Yorkshire Television, now merged with ITV.
The series is set in the North York Moors during the 1960s, with plots centred around the fictional village of Aidensfield, filmed in Goathland.
It ran for 18 years and continues to be one of the most popular repeat shows, aired on ITV3 several times a day.
The new Heartbeat Exhibition has been installed adjacent to the film-showreel area of the World of James Herriot close to its gardens and replica TV studios.
World of James Herriot managing director, Ian Ashton, said: “I’m delighted that The World of James Herriot has been entrusted with the artefacts of the late Peter N Walker (Nicholas Rhea).
“The opportunity for the World of James Herriot to become the home for his TV series legacy, books and memorabilia is a welcome addition and complements the story of Alf Wight (James Herriot) whose All Creatures Great and Small BBC TV series was a forerunner to Heartbeat and of similar TV genre, both watched by millions.”
Nicholas Rhea’s daughter Sarah Walker said: “Alf Wight (or James Herriot) was our local vet and asked Dad, who’d had a few crime books published, for advice on an idea for some stories about life as a country vet.
“Dad had recently had his own idea for stories about the life of a country bobby rejected with the words: “There’s no call for Yorkshire humour” so passed this sage wisdom on to Alf! Alf tried anyway - and the rest is history!
“Herriot’s success inspired Dad to not give up and finally in 1979 Constable on the Hill was published.
“We are thrilled as a family to be working with The World of James Herriot to preserve my dad's legacy alongside the great work they have already done for James Herriot.”
Ian Ashton added: “We are extremely grateful to Mrs Rhoda Walker, widow of the late author, to Sarah, and the rest of the family of Nicholas Rhea (Peter N Walker) for allowing us to organise the new exhibition, to Jason Bullard who has helped with various artefacts including the iconic period police motorcycles and to Lee Jones for the many photographs for the exhibition.
“It all fits perfectly with James Herriot as we continue to enjoy demand for screen tourism visits to North Yorkshire’s Herriot Country in and around the Yorkshire Dales, and of course, Heartbeat Country, which includes Whitby, Goathland and the North York Moors.
“We will give Heartbeat fans a permanent, secure location where their memories can be shared alongside All Creatures Great and Small fans, many of whom love both TV series.”