6 Mr Harriot visits Redbird Inn by JlMCdegree For your enjoyment: A little dream of mine since I saw the street sign in Downton that reads "Thirsk - 6 miles." Thirsk is the real town that was fictionalized as Darrowby in James Herriot's wonderful series of memoirs. I'm hoping to add more stand-alone stories as inspiration strikes. Obvious disclaimer: James, Anna and John are the property of writers far more talented than I.