Thirsk, North Yorkshire

Askrigg
Aysgarth Falls
Bempton Cliffs
Beverley
Bingley
Bradford
Bridlington
Burnsall
Burton Agnes Hall
Castle Bolton
Castle Howard
Clapham
Flamborough Head
Fountains Abbey
Goathland
Grassington
Hardraw Force
Halifax
Harrogate
Hawes
Haworth
Hebden Bridge
Helmsley
Heptonstall
Holmfirth
Howden
Hubberholme
Humber Bridge
Hutton-le-Hole
Kettlewell
Kilburn
Kilnsey Crag
Knaresborough
Lastingham
Malham
Muker
North Yorks Railway
Pickering
Reeth
Richmond
Rievaulx Abbey
Ripley
Ripon
Robin Hood's Bay
Runswick Bay
Saltaire
Scarborough
Semer Water
Settle
Sewerby Hall
Skipton
Staithes
Tan Hill
Thirsk
Whitby
York

Little wonder that such ancient folklore and glorious scenery inspires so many who live and work in this beautiful region of Britain. Of all those who appreciate its glories, few became more famous than James Herriott, whose stamping ground included the most inaccessible corners of North Yorkshire. So when a heritage centre was established in his memory, it seemed fitting that it should be situated in the more accessible location of his home town, Thirsk.

Once the private house and surgery of Alf Wight, whose stories about his work in the Hambleton area were turned into highly successful films and a long running television series, 23 Kirkgate is now a "one point four million pound" tribute to his eventful and colourful career which draws visitors from all over the world. His son, Jim Wight, shares his father's love of Thirsk and readily pays tribute to the town which, he says, has "a friendly atmosphere, attractive market place and wonderful situation". The cobbled market place, for example, which throngs with coachloads of visitors throughout the summer months, dates back to early medieval times and has been the centre of commercial activity ever since.

The ancient market cross, though long broken, stood there until it was replaced by the clock tower, built in 1896 to commemorate the marriage of the then Duke of York (who came to the throne as George V) to the future Queen Mary. Two rows of covered butchers' stalls, known as The Shambles, also used to exist in the square. Today the only reminder of the tradition of open-air butchery is a bull ring, marked on the cobbles near the bus stand, where medieval laws decreed that bulls were baited by dogs before being slaughtered. Thankfully this custom had died out by the eighteenth century.

Behind the market place there used to be long, narrow yards crammed with cottages, stables, workshops, warehouses and stores, housing a community of craftspeople and tradefolk. A few of these yards still survive as a picturesque reminder of bygone days. Some of Thirsk's less obvious claims to fame are connected to Yorkshire cricket. Thomas Lord, who gave his name to the cricket ground he founded, was born in Kirkgate in 1755; fast bowler George Freeman who played against WC Grace was also born here, along with Twenties hero GG Macaulay who took a wicket with his very first ball at his first Test Match. It was also the home of coiner and murderer Thomas Busby, whose ghost was thought to haunt the Busby Stoop Inn at the crossroads where he was gibbeted for his crimes. For more than 20 years no-one would sit in the chair that now hangs in a local museum kitchen for fear of the dreadful fate said to await anyone who braves Busby's curse.

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