We were thrilled to welcome the cast and crew of All Creatures Great and Small to The 1900s Town as they filmed scenes for the sixth series of the critically acclaimed adaptation based on best-selling author James Herriot’s cherished collection of stories.
The museum’s 1900s Town looked a little different to normal as, instead of being set on the cusp of World War One, the crew transformed it into Sunderland in 1945 for a storyline in sixth series of All Creatures Great and Small.
© Playground Television UK Ltd5 – Photographer Helen Williams
It’s 1945, just as the war in Europe is coming to a close. The show arrives back in Darrowby to veterinary advancements, expanded families, and new faces as they all look ahead to a brighter and more peaceful future.
Scenes were filmed on The 1900s Town street and in the dentist’s house on Ravensworth Terrace.
© Playground Television UK Ltd5 – Photographer Helen Williams
Actor Callum Woodhouse, who plays Tristan Farnon in the series, said that filming at Beamish really stood out for him: “As for scenes, one that really stood out was from episode one was when we got to film at Beamish, which doubled up as Sunderland. That was a really special day for me. I used to go to Beamish loads as a kid with my family – it was one of our go-to day-out spots. I absolutely loved it growing up. So to find myself there, all these years later, filming a scene for All Creatures was surreal, but really special. An amazing moment.”
© Playground Television UK Ltd5 Photographer Helen Williams
When asked if he used to dream of being an actor when visiting the museum as a child or whether he just found the museum to be a fun place to spend time, Callum said: “It was definitely a bit of both. I was already on that path of wanting to become an actor, but I also just really loved how immersive Beamish is. You set foot in the place and everyone who works there is dressed up, in character – it just feels so authentic. Like you’ve genuinely stepped into another era. It’s done so well.
“There was definitely a part of me that loved that feeling, like I’d entered a different world. That’s a huge part of what drew me to acting in the first place – getting to fully live in different times and places like that.”
All Creatures Great and Small is available to watch and stream on 5.