10 of the Best TV and Film Locations to Visit in Yorkshire
Yorkshire is always a popular choice for filming. Everything from the Netflix smash hit Bridgerton to family favourite film The Railway Children feature memorable scenes that were shot in God's Own Country
Grassington – All Creatures Great and Small
The gorgeous cobbled market town of Grassington in Upper Wharfedale doubles as Darrowby in the latest version of All Creatures Great and Small. You can enjoy a drink in The Devonshire which features as the Drover's Arms in the series and take a look around The Stripey Badger Bookshop, which was transformed into a grocery store for the show.
Helmsley – The Secret Garden
Much-loved children’s book The Secret Garden is set within the North York Moors at the fictional Misselthwaite Manor and celebrates the rejuvenating power of an English country garden. The vibrant borders at the beautiful Helmsley Walled Garden were used as the film’s titular floral haven in a 2020 film adaptation starring Colin Firth and Julie Walters, and you can experience this gorgeous secret garden for yourself from Wednesday to Sunday between March and December.
Haworth – The Railway Children
Another classic tale that’s primarily set in Yorkshire is E Nesbit’s The Railway Children, which was memorably adapted into a 1970 film starring Jenny Agutter. Recently there was also a sequel to the original tale so if you fancy following in the children’s footsteps and waving at some steam trains for yourself head to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway near Haworth. This characterful five-mile long heritage steam railway was used in both the 1970 adaptation and the 2022 sequel.
Castle Howard – Bridgerton
One of the biggest TV hits of recent years has been Bridgerton which celebrated the lavish extravagance of the Regency period with a series of sumptuous debutante balls. One of the filming locations of this popular Netflix series was Castle Howard which was transformed into Clyvedon Castle, the grand home of the Duke of Hastings and the place where he moved to with Daphne following their wedding.
Aysgarth Falls – Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
The stunning backdrop of Aysgarth Falls was used to great effect in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, released in 1991. You may remember Kevin Costner in his heyday ending up in the river after battling with Little John. It’s a classic scene from this iconic movie and showcases the magnificent falls beautifully.
Harewood House – Downton Abbey
The 2019 film centred on a royal visit to Downton Abbey, and real-life Yorkshire estate Harewood House (the home of Princess Mary from 1929 to 1965) made an appearance as itself during the movie. The grand exterior of Harewood House was shown on screen as the Crawley family arrived for the royal ball, however the interior ballroom scenes were filmed at another Yorkshire stately home, the equally stunning Wentworth Woodhouse in Rotherham.
Levisham – Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One
There was excitement in the pretty North York Moors village of Levisham during 2021 when Hollywood A-lister Tom Cruise was seen filming for the latest Mission Impossible film at Levisham station. Tom will be seen clinging to the side of NYMR steam train at Levisham when this action-packed instalment of the popular franchise hits cinemas this July.
Read More: Meet Yorkshire Actor George Rainsford from Call the Midwife and Casualty
Grosmont – Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Another stopping point on the NYMR heritage railway that has been visited by a major Hollywood star is Grosmont, where Harrison Ford was spotted shooting scenes this year for the long-awaited fifth Indiana Jones instalment. A section of the railway track in Grosmont was used to film a daring escape from a Nazi prison camp with props such as tanks and guard towers transforming this usually sleepy North York Moors village.
Goathland – Harry Potter
The final destination in our trio of stops on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway is Goathland, a peaceful village where sheep still happily roam free across the picturesque village green. The station at Goathland featured as Hogsmeade in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, while the village itself will be better known to many as Aidensfield from the ITV drama Heartbeat. You can still visit Aidensfield Stores in Goathland to pick up supplies and souvenirs and the 1960s Ford Anglia police car used in the series is regularly parked outside.
Kettlewell – Calendar Girls
Kettlewell in the Yorkshire Dales became Knapeley in the 2003 film Calendar Girls. The film tells the true-life tale of a group of 12 ladies from a Yorkshire Women’s Institute who dared to bare all in a charity calendar. Pick up a special Calendar Girls trail from local shops to seek out the places featured in the film such as the Village Hall, St Mary’s Church, the Bluebell Inn pub and the Kettlewell Beck bridge.
