Best of Britain – Yorkshire Day Tours
Best of Britain – Yorkshire Day Tours is a proudly family-run Yorkshire business, owned by husband-and-wife team Lucy and Alan.
Our journey began long before Yorkshire Day Tours itself. In 2012, we took over the family business, Sherwoods Minibuses, which has served the local community for many years through home-to-school transport, private hire services, and more recently Yorkshire Cycle Transport.
In 2021, during the challenging years following Covid, we were given the opportunity to purchase BOBH, as the company was then known. At the time, Lucy had also just welcomed our second baby into the family, so it was certainly a leap of faith — but one we simply couldn’t turn down.
With our deep love for Yorkshire, its landscapes, history, and traditions, we knew we wanted to continue sharing this incredible part of England with visitors from around the world. Today, Best of Britain – Yorkshire Day Tours combines our transport experience with genuine local knowledge and a passion for creating warm, memorable experiences for every guest.
A Personal Connection to James Herriot Country
Living in Thirsk, the home of James Herriot and the inspiration for the fictional Darrowby, the world of All Creatures Great and Small has always been part of our family life. In fact, Lucy and Alan both grew up and went to school together in Thirsk itself, both coming from local farming families deeply connected to the Yorkshire countryside. Today, Lucy’s brother continues that farming tradition.
Lucy grew up with a very real connection to the Herriot stories: Alf Wight and Donald Sinclair — the real-life James Herriot and Siegfried Farnon — were her father’s vets on the family farm, alongside The Yorkshire Vet’s Peter Wright, all of whom the family also knew personally. Her family also had close links to the original veterinary practice and the filming of the classic series and film.
Alan’s family has its own connection too. His aunty worked as a veterinary nurse and lived in the flat above Kirkgate Surgery, just as depicted in the recent television series. As a young boy, Alan stayed there and still has stories to tell from that time.
For us, Herriot Country is not simply somewhere we tour — it is part of our own family history.
Yorkshire Through Our Eyes
Exploring the outdoors together is one of our favourite ways to enjoy Yorkshire life beyond the tours.
Yorkshire is far more than where we work — it is home, family, and a lifelong passion for both of us.
When we are not running tours, you will usually find us exploring the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors with our children and our dog Dottie, whether that is out walking, mountain biking, or simply enjoying the countryside we grew up in.
Coming from farming families, the landscapes, communities, and traditions of rural Yorkshire have always been a huge part of our lives. We care deeply about the countryside, its wildlife, and preserving the natural beauty of the moors and dales for future generations.
We love sharing not only the famous sights, but also the quieter corners, local stories, and hidden gems that make this county so special to us.
The People Behind the Tours
Before focusing full-time on developing our Yorkshire tour experiences, both Lucy and Alan built careers connected to their own passions and interests.
Alan began his career as a mechanic in motorsport, working within the British Touring Car Championship before later joining Toyota GB as a Master Technician, developing the high standards of vehicle care and attention to detail that remain central to the business today. Through our sister company, Sherwoods Minibuses, we continue to maintain our tour vehicles to the highest standards of comfort, safety, and reliability.
Lucy originally trained and worked as a graphic designer, beginning her career with an equestrian magazine before progressing from a junior role to Head of Design for a publishing and event management agency in Harrogate. Her creative background and love of storytelling continue to shape the personal touch and presentation behind Best of Britain – Yorkshire Day Tours today.
Together, we have combined our experience, local knowledge, and passion for Yorkshire to create the kind of tours we would personally love to experience ourselves.
Meet the Team
Lucy
Co-Owner & Guest Experience Manager
Born and raised in Thirsk, Lucy brings deep local knowledge, creative storytelling, and lifelong connections to Herriot Country. Her passion for Yorkshire’s landscapes, wildlife, flowers, and countryside communities is at the heart of everything we do — preferably enjoyed with a good cup of Yorkshire Tea close by.
Alan
Co-Owner, Transport Manager & Tour Guide
Alan combines a passion for Yorkshire with decades of transport and vehicle expertise, helping ensure every tour runs smoothly, comfortably, and safely. Having grown up in Thirsk with close links to Kirkgate Surgery and the local farming community, he enjoys sharing stories of the Yorkshire he has known all his life.
When not at work, Alan enjoys mountain biking across the Yorkshire countryside and recently completed the Coast to Coast cycling challenge from Morecambe to Tynemouth in support of The Sir Robert Ogden Charitable Foundation.
Mark
Senior Tour Guide
Mark has been part of the Best of Britain family for over 12 years — long before Lucy and Alan took over the business — making him very much part of the furniture and, as we like to say, an honorary Yorkshireman. A hugely valued member of the team, Mark’s warmth, experience, and enthusiasm have become a big part of what makes Best of Britain so special.
Before joining Best of Britain, Mark worked across Europe for a major tour operator, guiding groups through some of the continent’s most famous cities and even leading tours aboard the Sail Croatia boats for two summer seasons.
Today, Mark’s passion for people, travel, and the Yorkshire countryside makes him a favourite with guests from around the world.
“Whilst the scenery is breathtaking and ever-changing, it has to be the people I get to meet and interact with that keeps me going. No two days are the same, and I love not only sharing my knowledge and passion for Yorkshire, but also hearing about other countries, traditions, celebrations, and food.”
When he is not guiding tours, you will usually find Mark outdoors exploring hiking trails across the National Parks.
Chris
Tour Guide
A keen historian and writer with a passion for Yorkshire’s rich heritage, Chris enjoys bringing local history and stories to life for guests exploring the county.
Howard
Tour Guide
After a long career in the police force, Howard brings a calm, friendly presence and a passion for Yorkshire’s landscapes, traditions, and communities to every tour.
Martin
Tour Guide
Martin’s background in the police force, combined with his welcoming personality and love for Yorkshire, helps guests feel relaxed and at home while exploring the Dales, Moors, and Herriot Country.
Rob
Tour Guide
With a background in the police force and a passion for Yorkshire’s countryside and communities, Rob brings a friendly, reassuring presence and enjoys helping guests experience the county at a relaxed and enjoyable pace.
Dottie
Director of Countryside Exploration
Always happiest charging across the moors and dales with boundless energy, Dottie is an important member of the family and a much-loved part of life behind the scenes at Best of Britain.
As well as keeping everyone entertained with her endless enthusiasm for the outdoors, Dottie also takes her role as the office wellbeing dog very seriously and is a huge part of our family life.
You can also follow Dottie’s Yorkshire adventures on Instagram
Why Travel With Us?
We believe the best Yorkshire experiences come from local knowledge, personal service, and taking the time to enjoy the journey.
Our tours are designed to feel relaxed, friendly, and authentic — whether you are discovering the Yorkshire Dales for the first time, following in the footsteps of James Herriot, or exploring hidden corners of God’s Own County.
What makes us different?
- Family-run and Yorkshire-based
- Deep local knowledge and heritage
- Small, friendly tour experiences
- Comfortable and relaxed travel
- Personal stories and local insight
- Connections to real Herriot Country
- Passion for Yorkshire history, scenery, and culture
We are proud to share the Yorkshire we know and love with visitors from around the world.
Come and Explore Yorkshire With Us
Whether you are visiting Yorkshire for the first time or returning to discover more, we would love to welcome you on one of our tours and help you experience the landscapes, stories, and hospitality that make this part of England so special.