Expert: David Cross - 12/3/2004

Question
Hello from Reading, Pennsylvania, USA

Thank you for making yourself available to answer questions at this site.

I'm reading some of the James Herriot books ("All Creatures Great and Small" for starters) and I have a question about the "Reniston" hotel he mentions.

I've looked at the online site about "Yorkshire Dales" but this hotel is not shown.

I see the author has substitued alternative names for all of the real life characters.  Perhaps he has done this with the "Reniston" hotel which is described in the book as " ...the most luxurious hotel in the country outside of London, ... "

I couln't find a big hotel by this name or any picture that matches the brief physical description :

"By day, the Reniston dominated Brawton like a vast mediaeval fortress, bright flags fluttering arrogantly from its four turrets, but tonight it was like a dark cliff with a glowing cavern at street level where the Bentleys discharged their expensive cargoes."

MY QUESTION :  Do you have any clues as to the name or location of this hotel ?

In the book Herriot has his first date with Helen at the hotel.  While they face a series of mishaps the evening's comedy of errors ends with genuine disappointment.  

ALSO, I'll certainly be researching some of the information about places/events in the James Herriot series.  (The Dales, Darrow, Darrowby, Plain of York, etc.)  If you have any tips on good links to sites, I would love to know about them.

Of course, there are plenty to be found by using internet search engines.  I'm just wondering if you wouldn't offer a few of your favorites or those that you recommend most often.

I enjoyed the scenery in "Calendar Girls" and I understand this is the same area used in the films made about the Herriot books.  I would also like to know of any sites with photography of the area.  I know there are more and more vitual tours online as time goes by.  Perhaps there is one of Yorkshire Dales.  

Thanks again for your time here,

Jerry Snyder
92 Medinah Drive
Reading, Pennsylvania, USA

Answer
Hi Jerry
I'm afraid that after a very long search I am stumped by the idenity of Reniston Hall. Brawby is Harrogate but you probably knew this.
There are some good big hotels in this spa town where tourism goes back to the reign of Queen Victoria in the 19th century. I can't help thinking if any hotel there could claim to be the inspiration behind Reniston, it would be shouting it from the rooftops - and nowhere is.
Thirsk is the place with the Herriot Museum and Centre and you might possibly find out more from them. The website that gives address and telephone details is http://www.hambleton.gov.uk/hambleton/herriot.nsf/pages/herriot.html but I can't find an e-mail address. You could try writing to them.
On your other questions I don't think I can give much information that you won't get from a search but for detail put in the names of individual places and dales rather than just 'Yorkshire Dales.' i.e. Wensleydale, Wharfedale, Askrigg [Darrowby]
Calendar Girls is based on the Women's Institute at Rylstone and the scenery is largely that at Kettlewell, a splendid dales village. The Yorkshire Dales is one of my favourite areas anywhere and my own preferred dales are Wharfedale and Swaledale.
I wish you luck in your research but don't spend all your time in libraries - get out and do some walking in the Dales. http://www.daleswalks.co.uk/ will give you some good ideas.
Cheers, David