Set in the 1930's, young vet James Herriot arrives in the village of Darrowby in the Yorkshire Dales hoping to land his first job with established veterinarian Siegfried Farnon.

James is on pins and needles awaiting the results of the postmortem on Lord Hulton's horse. He continues to make his rounds, becoming acquainted with some of the local remedies for sick cattle. Siegfried's younger brother Tristan returns to Darrowby from veterinary college having once again failed his exams. Siegfried assigns him to collecting payments on market day, but where has he put the receipt book? James is also introduced to Mrs Pumphrey and her pekingese, Tricki Woo, who then sends Uncle Herriot a gift.

James visits the Alderson farm to treat a calf with a broken leg and meets the very attractive Helen Alderson for the first time since asking her for directions on his arrival in Darrowby. Meanwhile, Siegfried decides to bring to some business-like discipline to the practice by hiring a secretary, Miss Harbottle. Not surprisingly, she turns out to something more than he expected.

James continues to pine for Helen and learns he has a rival for her affections in the form of Richard Edmundson, a wealthy member of the local gentry. Tristan suggests James may want to join the local musical society - especially since Helen is a regular attendee. Tristan has another all-nighter with the bell ringers, leading Siegfried to believe he has too much time on his hands. So he puts him in charge of some newly acquired piglets. Mrs. Pumphrey also acquires a new pet pig, Nugent, and she asks Uncle Herriot to examine him. Siegfried reaches the breaking point with Miss Harbottle.

Having finally worked up the courage to ask Helen out on a date, James is not quite sure where to take her. Tristan convinces him that the first date is always the most important so he recommends that James take her to dinner at the Reniston, the poshest hotel outside of London. To his chagrin, James follows Tristan's advice and the date isn't very successful. To make matters worse, Tristan subsequently gets James to complete a foursome with two lively lasses and they meet Helen and Richard Edmundson in less than ideal circumstances. Tristan is less than enthused at having to care for the pigs Siegfried has acquired. James treats an itinerant family's sick horse. The vets seek the assistance of Sister Rose in finding a home for a stray dog.

Helen visits the surgery with her dog Dan, but James is embarrassed by his performance when he last saw her at the dance. He nonetheless manages to ask her out to the movies, but once again, their date is a bit of a disaster. The film he thought they were to see has been replaced by a cheap western and Gobber Newhouse, in his cups, provides a bit of unexpected entertainment. Tristan reads with interest in the local newspaper that there may be a historical basis for the ghost that haunts Raines Abbey, given that several monks were killed there several centuries ago. Sure enough, the ghost soon makes another appearance. James has to deal with a farmer who insists his cow was struck by lightning and wants James to provide the necessary documentation to support an insurance claim. Siegfried lectures James and Tristan on their forgetting equipment during their farm visits; of course, Siegfried needs to listen to his own advice.

James offers his condolences to Mrs. Dalby whose husband recently died. He's a bit doubtful when she tells him that she'll be running the farm on her own. Things go from bad to worse when some newly acquired cows fall ill. Helen stops by the surgery and invites James to tea on Sunday. James gladly accepts and things are going well until one of Mr. Alderson's cows falls ill and James is unable to save it. Helen and James manage to overcome their bad luck however. Tristan finally gets a car to use but accidentally releases the parking brake; the car goes roaring downhill and straight into the new golf course clubhouse. Gobber Newhouse convinces Jim to have a drink with the lads, only to also present him with the bill.

Tristan and Siegfried have to treat Clancy, Mr. Mulligan's very large dog who is "womittin" again. Mrs. Hall advises James to get on with it vis-a-vis Helen and warns him that he risks losing her, with Richard Edmundson around. James however thinks Helen's father doesn't think much of him and that overall, he's a very poor catch. Siegfried and Tristan are also concerned that James is too slow getting off the mark and decide to do something about it. James finally pops the question, but shudders at the thought of having to ask Mr. Alderson's permission. Mr. Biggins entertains the lads at the Rovers, courtesy of Tristan. Mrs. Dalby is worried about her herd of cattle and James can't come up with a diagnosis.

Tristan and James treat Mr. Pickersgill, a good farmer with a tendency toward malapropisms. Tristan has an injury while there, but finds an immediate remedy. Siegfried is called out to the Sidlows, who are a bit difficult. Tristan gives James advice on his honeymoon plans and suggests a Mediterranean cruise. James couldn't possibly afford it and Tristan suggests he try his hand betting at the track. Siegfried is invited to the Broughton races and he knows the racing circuit is looking for a new vet. Once there however he meets an old friend, Stewie Brannon, a fellow vet whom he's not seen for many years. Siegfried faces a dilemma when the Agriculture Ministry requires the practice to undertake tuberculin testing the same week of James and Helen's honeymoon. James proposes a solution. Siegfried's wedding gift surprises James.

James and Helen are on their honeymoon and start the tuberculin testing. They're staying at a local inn but are constantly interrupted by the landlady. Back at the practice, Siegfried is particularly harried and Tristan announces that he must return to Edinburgh to take his final exams. He nonetheless decides to help Tristan prepare. James is concerned with the generosity of Siegfried's wedding gift. James meets Angus Grier, a nearby vet, and his student Clinton. Grier invites James along on a call and provides him with a peculiar change of clothes. Siegfried suggests that they hire a student while Tristan is away.

James works with young, hard-working farmer Frank Metcalfe, who has relocated from the city. Unfortunately his herd is diagnosed with brucellosis, which has both immediate and long-term effects. Tristan returns from school and admits to James that his exams may not have gone all that well. He also meets Richard Carmody, a brilliant veterinary student who is spending a few weeks with the practice to gain practical experience. Tristan takes a dislike to him and he and James look for an opportunity to teach him what it's really like to work in a country practice. Finally, the vets and the village doctor see an opportunity to teach Gobber Newhouse, a local bully and wife-beater, a lesson when he steps on a rusty nail and needs care.

Tristan finally gets the bad news he's been expecting: he's failed his final exams and must now tell Siegfried. He decides to soften up Siegfried a bit, starting an exercise program and cutting out drinking and smoking. James has to deal with Mrs. Donovan, a self-styled animal healer whose dog is killed in an accident. When he's called in by the local constable to deal with a case of animal cruelty, he knows just who to call on to find it a home. Finally, James must assist cranky Angus Grier, a neighbouring vet who has a broken arm.

It's a bad time for the vets and a local farmer when they discover a case of foot and mouth disease. The farmer's stock must be destroyed and a general quarantine is in place for thirty days. Siegfried, who came into contact with the animals confines himself to Skeldale house, meaning James and Tristan must do all of the outside calls. James discovers the power of anesthesia in assisting animals to heal: first with a farmer's dying ewe and then with the Flaxton's pet poodle.