events in thirsk

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Upcoming events in and around Thirsk

Today's Date - Monday 13th October 2025


Friday, November 28th 2025

Makers Market
Rural Arts, The Courthouse, 4 Westgate, Thirsk YO7 1QS. We're thrilled to invite you to our annual Christmas Makers Market at the Courthouse. Bursting with festive cheer and unique handmade gifts, it's the perfect place to tick off your Christmas list. Fri 28 Nov 10:00am - 9:00pm and Sat 29 Nov 10:00am - 4:00pm. Free Entry.
Tel: 01845 526536
Email: info@ruralarts.org
Web: https://www.ruralarts.org/whats-on/

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Saturday, November 29th 2025

Santa Express at NYMR
North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Park Street, Pickering YO18 7AJ. Only Sat & Sun. The steam train ride will be packed with songs, jokes and the magic of Christmas, brought to life by Santa's Elves - families will also get to meet the great man himself on board. Weekend dates as shown, but also 22, 23 & 24 Dec. Choice of 4 times each day. £29.50 per person.
Tel: 01751 472508
Tickets: Booking online
Email: info@nymr.co.uk
Web: https://nymr.co.uk/santa

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Saturday, November 29th 2025
Magical Christmas Experience
Prophecy House, High Bridge, Knaresborough, HG5 8DD. Step into a magical Christmas world at Mother Shipton's. Meet Santa, enjoy festive activities, explore enchanting woodland displays, and toast marshmallows by the fire. Create unforgettable memories in one of the UK’s best-rated grottos this festive season. From £54 for Car/Pedestrian Group Ticket (covers up to 5 people) + Santa Ticket.
Tel: 01423 864600
Tickets: Online - Booking is essential
Email: info@mothershipton.co.uk
Web: https://myfmx.uk?c=2lblmes


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Saturday, November 29th 2025
Repair your stuff
Thirsk Library, Meadowfields, Chapel St YO7 1TH. Be greener by avoiding waste and save money by letting a team of dedicated and talented volunteers try to repair your broken or worn-out items; cost is a voluntary donation. 10am-1pm, last customer 12.30pm. Free, donations welcome.
Email: thirskrepaircafe@gmail.com


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Saturday, November 29th 2025
Christmas Tree Festival
Thirsk Methodist Church, St James Green, Thirsk, YO7 1AQ. Decorated trees, some by organisations some by individuals. Light Refreshments available. Donations to Herriot Hospice @The Lambert. Sat 29 Nov 10am - 4pm and Sun 30 Nov Midday - 4pm. Free admission.


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Sunday, November 30th 2025
Hallelujah and all that Jazz
All Saints Church, High St, Northallerton DL7 8LU. Handel - Messiah Part 1 plus 'Hallelujah Chorus'. Will Todd - Missa Brevis. 3pm.
Email: secretary@northyorkshirechorus.org.uk
Web: https://www.northyorkshirechorus.org.uk


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Tuesday, December 2nd 2025
Thirsk Ladies Cycle group
Meet by the Cycle Track next to Thirsk Leisure Centre YO7 1LU. A ladies cycling group that goes at the pace of the slowest. Our aim is to build ladies’ confidence in cycling whilst also providing opportunities for social riding, for ladies with a range of abilities. We meet on the first Tuesday of every month. Meet 10am and aim to return by 2pm. web: https://cyclinguk.org/group/thirsk-ladies


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Tuesday, December 2nd 2025
The Art of Trickery
The Golden Lion Hotel, 114 High St, Northallerton DL7 8PP. Ian Keable explores how magicians are seen in paintings, prints and cartoons from Breugel and Bosch to current cartoonists. Includes tricks! 1.45pm. Free to members of The Arts Society Hambleton, visitors £11 or £5.50 if a member of another Arts Society. tel: 07930 558752 email: hambleton@theartssociety.org web: https://theartssociety.org/hambleton


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Tuesday, December 2nd 2025
Bedale Archaeology & History Society
Zoom only. talk - Ancient DNA and kinship analysis at the Iron Age cemetery at Wetwang Slack, East Yorkshire, by Prof. Ian Armit, Chair in Archaeology, University of York. 7.30 pm. non-members £3 per screen (full-time education free), or £14 pp for membership for the rest of 2025 and the whole of 2026 (10 talks & at least 1 field trip). tickets: Email for payment details email: bedale.arch@gmail.com


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Wednesday, December 3rd 2025
Drawing with Wire
Rural Arts, The Courthouse, 4 Westgate, Thirsk YO7 1QS.
Create your own wirework masterpiece with Helaina Sharpley, crafting 3D wirework wall art, inspired by robins, holly, or personal photos, creating unique, handmade festive decorations. Lunch included. 10:30am - 4:30pm. £65. tel: 01845 526536 tickets: Online email: info@ruralarts.org web: https://www.ruralarts.org/whats-on/


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Make sure to visit Thirsk - A PERFECT LOCATION FOR ANY OCCASION...



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HOW TO GET TO THIRSK



By car - Thirsk is located just off the A19 and around 40 minutes from the historic city of York.

By train - LNER and Grand Central Trains run regularly to Thirsk train station.

ATTRACTIONS - Thirsk Cinema

Since 1995 the cinema has been run by a dedicated team, the cinema always aims to screen recent film releases to the town at affordable prices. A volunteer operated cinema in Thirsk.

Open seven days a week screening current films.
The Ritz doors open at 7pm each evening with the main film being shown at 7.30pm.

16 Westgate, Thirsk, YO7 1QS
Tel: 01845 524751

Visit site:

James Herriot Museum in Thirsk: A Tribute to the Beloved Veterinarian

worldofjamesherriot.com

museum
Thirsk is famously associated with Alf Wight, the vet-turned-author known as James Herriot.

Step inside to the multi award winning visitor attraction - for fans of the beloved veterinarian and author James Herriot, a visit to the James Herriot Museum in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, is a pilgrimage that offers a unique glimpse into the life and work of the man behind the heartwarming stories of country life and veterinary practice.

The museum, located in the very building where Herriot once practiced, provides a captivating experience for fans and anyone with an interest in rural life, animals, and the history of veterinary medicine.

The James Herriot Museum is housed in a beautifully preserved 1940s period house, reminiscent of the days when Herriot, whose real name was James Alfred Wight, tended to the animals of the Yorkshire Dales. The museum is a celebration of not only Herriot's literary achievements but also his dedication to the welfare of animals and the rural community of Thirsk. With its carefully curated exhibits, the museum offers visitors an intimate look at the world that inspired Herriot's iconic tales.

Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a treasure trove of personal memorabilia, including Herriot's writing desk, personal artifacts, and original veterinary instruments. These authentic items provide an immersive experience, transporting visitors back to the time when Herriot treated his quirky animal patients and forged enduring bonds with the local farmers and residents.

The museum also houses a recreation of his famous surgery, complete with the actual instruments and equipment he used during his practice.

One of the most charming features is its meticulously recreated 1940s-era living room, which offers an evocative portrayal of domestic life during Herriot's time. The attention to detail in this exhibit helps visitors understand the everyday life and challenges faced by Herriot and his colleagues, further enriching the experience of stepping into the world of "All Creatures Great and Small."

The museum doesn't just focus on the professional life of James Herriot; it also showcases his literary legacy. Visitors can explore an extensive collection of editions of his books, foreign translations, and rare manuscripts.

Additionally, the museum hosts temporary exhibits that delve into various aspects of Herriot's life and work, ensuring that each visit offers something new and engaging.

For fans of the "All Creatures Great and Small" television series, the museum offers a behind-the-scenes look at the show's production, featuring original props, photographs, and anecdotes from the cast and crew. This aspect of the museum serves as a delightful addition for those who have been charmed by the small-screen adaptation of Herriot's tales.

In conclusion, the James Herriot Museum stands as a fitting tribute to the enduring legacy of a man whose love for animals and the Yorkshire countryside captured the hearts of readers around the world.

Whether you're a die-hard fan of his literary works or simply have an appreciation for the art of storytelling, a visit to the museum in Thirsk promises an immersive and enriching experience that celebrates the life and work of James Herriot, the beloved veterinarian and author.

Tel: 01845 524234 - World of James Herriot Ltd, 23 Kirkgate, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 1PL

Shopping in Thirsk

places to visit in Thirsk

Once upon a time ... if my memory serves me well, there was the traditional half-day closing on a Wednesday in my hometown.

These days however, the shops (including the ones in Thirsk) are open mainly from 9am to 5.30pm - Monday to Saturday, including Sundays too, with restricted hours.


INDEPENDENT STORES
In Thirsk, you can shop in the smaller, more independent stores and there are plenty of them to choose from, along with the bigger traditional shops, like Tesco, Lidl, The Co-operative and Heron Foods.

Just one of the delightful things about shopping in Thirsk is the little alleyways tucked away, where you will discover tea shops, clothes shops and furniture sellers that you may not have known even existed.

Also, you will hear the sounds and the smells of bakers, butchers and flower shops spread out around this lovely historic place.


MARKET PLACE - GET YOUR FRESH FRUIT & VEG
Try not to miss the open-air market in the Medieval market square on a Monday or Saturday and a chance to buy your fresh produce - the regular weekly markets are operated in the town's historical cobbled Market Place - come along and enjoy the experience of the market, which is part of the local scene. Make sure to get down there nice and early if possible. Opens at 8.30am.


PARKING
Car parking is free for one hour in the market place.


BANKS
At the time of publishing this site - the Banks in the town include Barclays Bank, HSBC, Lloyds Bank and Nationwide Building Society, all situated in the Market Place.


CITY OF YORK
If you fancy visiting York for even more shopping - the city is just over 23 miles away from Thirsk Via the A19 (around 35 minutes).
There is also the train you can hop onto, whch takes around 16 minutes. Thirsk Railway Station, Station Road, Thirsk YO7 4LS

nationalrail.co.uk


Weather in Thirsk

weather
THIRSK WEATHER

The Ritz Cinema

ritz cinema
16 Westgate, Thirsk YO7 1QS

Whats On

Thirsk Hall

Thirsk Hall
A stunning Georgian-style country house. It was constructed in 1723 by John Bell. This timeless residence has been lovingly maintained by generations of the same family and holds the prestigious Grade II listing, symbolizing its historical and architectural significance.

Nestled within expansive, exquisitely landscaped grounds, Thirsk Hall boasts formal gardens, walled gardens and extensive parkland. In recent times, the addition of modern sculptures has beautifully blended traditional landscaping with contemporary art.

Having transformed into a vibrant cultural venue, the hall regularly hosts art exhibitions and events.

The sculpture garden proudly showcases works by contemporary artists, while the estate welcomes the public for open garden days and weddings, despite being a private residence.
Certain parts of the estate are also occasionally accessible to the public for special events or private tours, offering a captivating insight into its rich history and art collection.

Thirsk Hall's influence extends beyond its architectural grandeur, as it stands as a cultural focal point in North Yorkshire, seamlessly intertwining its heritage with modern artistic expression.

A Country Home to the Arts