Lights, Camera, Yorkshire – A film tour of Yorkshire

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You may have a sense of déjà-vu as you travel across Yorkshire for it has provided the perfect backdrop for many much loved and widely seen television and film productions. In fact, such is Yorkshire’s close relationship with the film industry, Bradford was honoured with the title of the world’s first UNESCO City of Film in 2009.

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And the story doesn’t end there, Yorkshire has also produced and inspired some of the world’s most influential authors, poets and playwrights.

Famous Film Locations

Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

Step back in time and enjoy a train ride through the heart of Brontë country on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway in West Yorkshire.

The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and the surrounding towns and villages were used extensively in Edith Nesbit’s famous story, and in the 1970s film, The Railway Children and several of the railway’s trains also featured in the film.

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Harry Potter and the Philospher’s Stone. Goathland Station was turned into “Hogsmeade” where the school of wizardry and witchcraft is based. The railway’s shop on the platform was transformed into the “Prefect’s Room” and the Ladies toilets became the “Wizard’s Room”. Find out more

Steam locomotives take visitors through 18 miles of stunning countryside, stopping at picturesque stations along the way, making it the most popular heritage railway in Britain.

Castle Howard – near York

Brideshead RevisitedCastle Howard featured as Brideshead, home to the aristocratic Marchmain family for the 2008 film and the 1981 ITV production.

A stunning location, the magnificent 18th century house is situated in stunning parkland, dotted with temples, lakes, statues and fountains.

Newby Hall – Ripon

Mansfield Park – during the summer of 2006 ITV’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel was filmed entirely on location at Newby Hall, with Billie Piper in the lead role. Last year Crusoe, starring Sam Neill and Sean Bean, was also filmed here.

One of England’s renowned Adam houses, recently restored to its original beauty. The 25 acres of award-winning Gardens are full of rare and beautiful plants. All complemented by Newby’s Adventure Garden for Children, woodland discovery walk and the miniature railway.

Emmerdale Studio Experience

The Emmerdale Studio Experience takes you on a journey behind the scenes, showing you how we bring the characters you love and stories you remember to life. By shining a light on the production process you’ll get to see how everything fits together. With full scale set reconstructions, preserved props and costumes to the secrets behind stunts and special effects; this is your chance to step into the exciting world of telly.

On your fully-guided tour, you’ll be able to get up close to all things Emmerdale and discover the magic behind some of the finest stunts seen on TV. You’ll also have the opportunity to take your memories home with a souvenir photograph from behind the bar at The Woolpack and shop exclusive Emmerdale merchandise. 

Holmfirth

Last of the Summer Wine – the world’s longest running TV comedy was filmed in and around this picturesque Pennine town.

Visit the exhibition inside Compo’s house, where there’s a collection of photographs and memorabilia and a tea room next door, or opt for a guided 10 mile tour of the area. 

Thirsk, Malton & Pickering

All Creatures Great and Small the classic vet series. Re-runs are still shown across the world on cable and satellite and now with the new series running on Channel 5.

The World of James Herriot is a unique tribute to the vet and author. Based in his original surgery, it takes visitors on a journey back to the 1940s.

Learn about being a vet in the interactive vet’s surgery and farm and check out the exhibits in the only veterinary science museum in the country. Re-live the TV series in the three studio sets which include many original props.

Explore the surrounding countryside, taking in the famous view from Sutton Bank which James described as “England’s finest view”.

Goathland

Heartbeat – much-loved, nostalgia-filled 1960s police series.

Goathland, a bracing moorland village, is the setting for the fictional village of Aidensfield. There is a station on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and walkers can enjoy a stroll to Mallyan Spout, Beck Hole, Darnholm, Grosmont and the Roman Road.

Take a Heartbeat coach trip in the1958 vintage Bedford which features in the programme! The tours run from Whitby three times a week from the end of July to the end of October.

Esholt – near Shipley

Emmerdale – visit the Woolpack Inn and wander round the original Emmerdale village.

Emmerdale expert Margaret Boyce actually worked on the programme; her knowledgeable talks and walks will give you the inside track on this great British soap.

Kettlewell and The Yorkshire Dales

Calendar Girls – filmed in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. Enjoy breathtaking scenery and fascinating market towns and villages in locations such as Kettlewell, Burnsall, Skipton, Settle and Ilkley Moor.

Local guide Malcolm Hanson was an extra in the film. Request one of his guided visits for coach parties and hear his behind-the-scenes stories whilst enjoying the delights of the beautiful countryside.

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway

As part of the 40th anniversary celebrations, the KWVR is publishing a book which describes the making of the film as seen through the eyes of the railway volunteers who were actually involved forty years ago. It will include around 70 colour and B&W photographs, many of which have never been published before, showing the railway and all of the stars during the making of the film.

Oakwell Hall – Birstall

Wuthering Heights – a new adaptation of Emily Bronte’s epic novel was recently aired on ITV. Oakwell Hall is one of the main locations.

A beautiful Elizabethan manor house, set out as a family home of the 1690’s and surrounded by 110 acres of Green Flag award winning country park.

Charlotte Bronte was a regular visitor and Oakwell Hall featured as Fieldhead, the home of the heroine in Charlotte’s novel, Shirley. Lost in Austen also filmed here.

Find out more.

Aysgarth Falls – Yorkshire Dales

Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood – Prince of Thieves. Aysgarth Falls and the stepping stones were used as the location for the famous fight between Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood and his friend Little John.

Near the village of Aysgarth, the River Ure tumbles over a series of broad limestone steps.Although not particularly high, Aysgarth Falls is one of Wensleydale’s most famous beauty spots, with pleasant riverside walk linking the upper, middle and lower falls.

Whitby Abbey

Perched dramatically on the cliff top, Whitby Abbey provided inspiration for Bram Stoker’s gothic novel. Both Dracula (1931) and Count Dracula (1977) were filmed here.

Dominating the picturesque seaside town of Whitby, the Abbey is one of England’s most important archaeological sites.

The town itself, with its cobbled streets, picturesque houses and sandy blue flag beach is a great place for all the family to explore.

Renishaw Hall

Come Dine with Me: Champion of Champions – In 2015 Renishaw Hall was the backdrop to Channel 4’s new twist on their TV series.

This family home, built in 1625, makes a wonderful location for filming and photoshoots. Its eclectic mix of treasures, fine art and furniture has been gathered by ancestors of the Sitwell family. Surrounding the hall are the award-winning gardens and parkland, featuring an Italianate garden, pool with fountain, sculptures, woodland walks and two lakes.

Filmed in Yorkshire

Visit Screen Yorkshire’s Filmed in Yorkshire website for more information about productions that have filmed in Yorkshire and the venues they visited.

Did you know?

The first film was shot in Yorkshire, Leeds in fact! By a filmmaker and inventor, Louis Le Prince.

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