Frequently asked questions about our Herriot Country Tours.

Our standard tours follow carefully planned itineraries based on our many years of experience showing guests the best of Yorkshire.

Rather than asking you to plan your own day, we have done the hard work for you – combining beautiful scenery, fascinating places, quiet country roads, local stories and carefully chosen stops into touring days that we know work exceptionally well.

The tour remains private and the pace relaxed, but the itinerary itself is not designed from scratch for each booking.

For guests looking for a genuinely bespoke multi-day journey, we may be able to offer a limited number of individually planned tours. Please contact us for details.

We deliberately allow some flexibility in the pace of a private tour. If you’re particularly enjoying somewhere, there may be time to stay a little longer, and your driver-guide may make small adjustments because of weather, traffic or local conditions.

However, each itinerary has been carefully planned around travelling times, opening hours and the overall route, so it cannot normally be substantially changed or redesigned on the day.

If there is somewhere that is particularly important to you, please tell us before booking so we can advise whether the tour you have chosen is suitable.

We offer private one-day tours as well as carefully planned multi-day Yorkshire experiences.

Our one-day tours concentrate on a particular area or theme, while our multi-day tours allow you to experience much more of Yorkshire at a relaxed pace.

For our standard one-day tours, we recommend taking the direct train from York to Thirsk, where your driver-guide will meet you.

Driving into and out of central York can be extremely busy, particularly at peak times, and can add substantial travelling time at both the beginning and end of the touring day.

By contrast, the direct train journey from York to Thirsk takes around 15 minutes, making it a simple and convenient way to join your tour without losing valuable time that could otherwise be spent exploring the Yorkshire countryside.

We will provide guidance on suitable trains before your visit, and your driver-guide will meet you at Thirsk station.

Very local alternative collection points may sometimes be possible by prior arrangement.

If you are staying further away, please contact us before booking. Additional travelling time and cost may apply, and we may decline collection points where the distance would significantly reduce the quality or practicality of the touring day.

Local railway station transfers and longer-distance transfers can sometimes be arranged as part of our multi-day packages.

If you require a transfer, please tell us before your booking is confirmed so that it can be included when your arrangements and price are agreed.

Airport and long-distance transfers are not automatically included unless specifically shown on your Booking Confirmation.

We strongly recommend deciding how you intend to arrive in and depart from Yorkshire before confirming your tour booking, particularly if you would like Herriot Country Tours to provide or arrange transfers.

Your quotation is based upon the travel, collection, accommodation and transfer arrangements agreed at the time of booking.

Please let us know as early as possible and we will advise you.

Small changes may sometimes be possible, but additional destinations cannot simply be added to an already carefully planned touring day.

If a particular place or experience is important to you, please tell us before booking.

Quite simply, because we want you to have a great day.

Our routes have been developed through years of experience and take account of travelling times, opening hours, parking, traffic, comfort stops and the time needed to actually enjoy the places you are visiting.

Trying to add several new destinations on the day usually means spending more time driving and less time experiencing Yorkshire.

A private tour gives you a relaxed pace – it does not mean an unplanned day.

No. These are primarily driver-guided touring experiences rather than walking tours.

There will normally be opportunities for short walks at viewpoints, villages and attractions, but guests can often choose how much walking they wish to do.

Your private vehicle and driver-guide are included.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, meals, drinks, and entrance charges to attractions are not included on our standard one-day tours.

Any additional experiences will be clearly shown when you book.

Our multi-day experiences work differently and may include accommodation, transfers, attraction admission, and other elements depending upon the package.

Exactly what is included will always be clearly detailed in your quotation and booking confirmation.

Choose the tour or experience that interests you and contact us with your preferred date, number of guests, and where you will be staying.

Before we prepare your booking, we will also ask about any important mobility requirements, travel or transfer arrangements, and anything particularly important to you.

We will then confirm availability, price, and the arrangements before you decide whether to book.

Yes. A 25% non-refundable deposit secures your tour date, driver-guide and vehicle.

The remaining balance is due 28 days before your tour.

Comfortable footwear and clothing appropriate for the weather are recommended.

Yorkshire weather can change quickly, so layers and a waterproof jacket are always sensible.

We don’t routinely provide single-use bottled water, so we encourage guests to bring a reusable water bottle.

Tours normally operate in all reasonable weather conditions.

Yorkshire can be beautiful in changing weather, and mist, clouds, and rain are all part of the character of the landscape. Your driver-guide may make small adjustments to make the most of the conditions on the day.