All Creatures Great & Small Day-Trip with Kids Yorkshire

If you're anything like me, you ADORE the cozy setting and heartwarming cast of All Creatures Great and Small set in 1930's Yorkshire, England. For the last 6 months my daughter and I have been watching an episode every Wednesday night. We make tea and nibble on chocolate and transport ourselves to the Dales with James, Helen, Siegfried, Mrs. Hall and Tristan. It's about as cozy as they come! 

So when we were planning our trip to England this summer, we knew we had to include a day trip to Yorkshire to see all the sights of All Creatures Great and Small. I wish we  had more time to spend in Yorkshire, but alas, we only had a day. Because of this, we made sure every minute counted. Also, between our friends and us, we had 7 kids between us so we knew we had to make it kid-friendly! 

Here's our Yorkshire All Creatures Great and Small Itinerary with kids: 

1. Ride the Stream Train at Bolton Abbey

This is such a fun and beautiful way to see the Yorkshire Dales! Step on to a historic steam train that meanders through working farms, along stone fences with sheep doting the green countryside. Our kids were absolutely  thrilled to be in the train car and explore the historic stations! You arrive at a Embsay Station with time to wander through the historic cafe and gift shop. Then, you climb on board and ride back to Bolton Abbey. Make sure to reserve tickets ahead of time, they only have limited seats and sell out fast! You can see all the info HERE. 

2. Lunch at Linton Falls

Enjoy a picnic along the gorgeous bank of Linton Falls. You can park in the small parking lot, and then actually leave your car there when you walk the short 10 minutes in to Grassington. The kids ran around & played tag before we headed in to town! We saved money by bringing a packed lunch, and it made for the best picnic with our friends! We could just imagine James and Helen walking along the water's edge! You can read more about Linton Falls HERE.

3. Explore Grassington 

I was so beyond excited to explore the fictional town of Darrowby. My daughter and I are die hard fans of the show, so to step foot in the Drovers, the Grocers, and at the steps of Skeldale House was a dream come true! Just a note, you may not recognize Skeldale House at first as the show ads quite a bit of extras to the front of the house! Definitly spend a good hour exploring the town. There are many shops that have photos from the filming of the show, specifically the book store that stands in as the Grocer in the show. 

4. Tour James Herriot’s actual Home

We drove about an hour from Grassington to Thirsk to visit James Herriot’s real home, but it was 100% worth it! Alf Wright (the real James Herriot) lived in this home with his wife, and two children, making veterinary calls all over the county. You get to see all the rooms as he left them, watch a video about both tv shows (the current one and the one in the 1980’s), walk through a museum dedication to Alf’s life, and then see a floor all about veterinary medicine. The little museum sure packs a punch! We bought tickets on arrival, 10 pounds for adults and 5 pounds for children. You can see more about the museum HERE.

This is a FULL day so make sure to start early in the morning! Enjoy and let me know if you have any questions!! To see more come follow along @worlds.of.hope on IG 

My Daughter's Bedroom

I have been dreaming up a space for my precious daughter for years. 3 years ago I picked out the most whimsical wallpaper, and then planned the entire room around the colors and style of this floral motif. I just shared my daughter's room on IG, and many people have been asking for links to each of the items in her room. It may surprise you that this room was created on a very tiny budget. Aside from the wallpaper, most of her room was curated from Amazon. I'm of the mindset that decorating doesn't need to be expensive, it just needs some time and creativity. I've slowly been pulling items together, and when I finally revealed the room to my daughter, she smiled the biggest smile i've ever seen and said "Mom, it's the most beautiful room in the world!". 

That was the best reward:) 

A special thanks to my dear mother who wallpapered the entire room. I truly could not have executed this project with out her expertise! 

My vision for the space was a vintage whimsical cottage room, complete with dusty pink paint, floral wallpaper, woodland animals, and artwork that felt feminine, fresh and inspiring. I wanted her to feel like she had stumbled in to her own secret garden in England (we read the book together last year and watched the iconic movie...a very bonding time for us) In short, I wanted my daughter to have a beautiful space to dream and grow in to the special woman she will become. 

Let me know if you have any questions! xoxo Katie 

Wallpaper- Flora by Borastapeter found on the Wallpaper Direct website HERE

Paint- Cheerful Heart by Behr at Home Depot. I asked them put 100 drops of white in it to lighten the color. 

Bed- From Amazon HERE

Rug- Rifle Paper Co. Loloi Rug HERE

Curtains- Amazon HERE

Gingham Sheet Set with Ruffle- From Amazon HERE

Blush Pink Comforter- IKEA HERE

Crochet lace Blanket- Amazon HERE

Bed Canopy- Amazon HERE

Bedside Table- Mine is sold out but a cute alternative HERE

Dollhouse- Hobby Lobby HERE

Artwork- Robin Anneliese Calendar HERE (Currently on sale! Such incredible artwork!!) 

Scalloped Baskets- Hobby Lobby HERE

Anne of Green Gables Blue- Rifle Paper Co HERE

Heidi Book- Barnes and Noble HERE

Anne of Green Gables Yellow- Barnes and Noble HERE

The Secret Garden Book- Amazon HERE

Angel Stuffy- Amazon HERE

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin-  HERE

Hanging Basket- Michael's HERE

Gold Frames- At Home HERE

Wooden Frame Beaded-  At Home HERE

Golden Bunnies- Mine sold out, but a cute alternative HERE

Bunting- Handmade by my mom (sorry, can't link it! But stay tuned in our shop The Somerset Cottage if you're interested in this!) 

My absolute FAVORITE Christmas Books

The beauty that emanates from a well written, beautifully illustrated book is priceless. 

Make it a Christmas book and you have near perfection! 

Last year I walked in to a large chain bookstore, meandered my way to the kid's section to leaf through their selection of children's Christmas books, and my heart sunk. Front and center was a book entitled "My Butt is so Christmassy!" (I literally kid you not). Surrounding it were Christmas themed books from Mickey Mouse, Peppa Pig, and a Taylor Swift fan Christmas book. No disrespect to the cartoons, but I just think we can do better. 

So henceforth, I give you my favorite life giving stories, with rich literature and captivating illustrations! 

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree 

This might be my favorite Christmas book, I cry every time. It takes place during WWI in Appalachia. The young girl's father has gone to war and she and her mother have to find the Christmas tree. 

An Orange for Frankie

This one is also a tear jerker! A father of many children is lost in a snow storm, but when he finally returns, he surprises the children with oranges. Frankie unexpectedly loses his and the book is about his family coming together in beautiful ways. 

Christmas in Noisy Village

This adorable book by Astrid Lingren follows 3 families who live in a little village in Sweden. They have some adorable adventures which always have my children in giggles. 

Christmas Farm

A fun look in to the process of growing a Christmas tree farm, with a very cute story between an older woman and a young boy. 

The Miracle of Jonathan Toomey

A family employs a man to help carve the nativity, and through the process his grief is revealed. 

Holly and Ivy

This is a bit longer of a book, but it is really so sweet. It is about an orphan who finds a family on Christmas day. 

Lucia Morning in Sweden

I read this every year to celebrate Santa Lucia with my children. It follows one family's journey on Lucia Day. 

Christmas in the Big Woods

I love stepping in to the world of Laura Ingalls Wilder. My kids love seeing how a pioneer family in early America celebrates Christmas. 

Christmas in the Country

Everything Cynthia Rylants puts out is just so precious! About a child who lives with her grandparents and their "country Christmas". 

See Christ in Christmas

I love seeing how all the Christmas symbols point back to our savior, Jesus Christ! 

Mr. Willoughby's Christmas Tree

This one is just such a sweet and hilarious tale about the Christmas tree that keeps on giving! 

Ollie's Ski Trip

My own son Ollie adores this book about a little boy who takes a fun adventure through the snow! 

The Night Before Christmas

An absolute classic poem, illustrated by the incredible Jan Brett! 

Merry Christmas Anne 

We are BIG Anne of Green Gables Fans, so this was a sweet one for us! 

Advent Books: 

The Advent Jesse Tree by Dean Meador Lambert

This is the devotion we use year after year. My kids love it and look forward to it. We pair it with the Jesse Tree ornaments (I'm giving a set away now on my IG!). 

Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas

We loved using this book. A great alternative to the one above it! 

We also usually rotate through a bunch of nativity books that share the Christmas story. We read a nativity book to the kids every night before they get to pick a chocolate from their Advent Calendar. 

Let me know what YOUR favorite Christmas books are!! I Love adding new ones to our collection:) Merry Christmas Friends!