All Creatures Great and Small | Thirsk & Grassington
Based on the literary series by James Herriot, ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ takes its viewers back to the 1930’s to follow Herriot’s life as a country vet in the Yorkshire Dales, recounting amusing tales of animals and their owners. The original series’ 7 seasons aired from 1978 to 1990 and were filmed primarily in Thirsk. The 2020 reboot was filmed mainly in Grassington, including The Devonshire Inn which became The Drover’s Arms, replacing Askrigg’s, The King’s Arms. Askrigg was transformed in both instances into the quaint village of Darrowby. Other notable and picturesque locations featured in the series include Hawes, Malton & Threshfield.
Properties in the area
Harry Potter | Goathland & Malham Cove
A franchise that needs no introduction, Harry Potter is one of the most famous series of all time and has been filmed all over the United Kingdom. In Particular, Goathland Station may be more familiar to “Potterheads” and muggles alike as Hogsmeade Station which features in the first instalment of the series, ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’. Yorkshire’s glorious landscapes were in demand for the filming of the two-part ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’. Including Malham Cove in the Yorkshire Dales National Park which plays an important role in setting the scene for a dramatic storyline in scenic surroundings. Although not directly used as filming locations, splendid views from Malhamdale to Cawden feature in the film as well as York’s iconic Shambles which served as inspiration for the creation of Diagon Alley.
Properties in the area
Emmerdale | Esholt & Otley
‘Emmerdale’ is one of Britain’s most-loved and longest-running soap operas, with more than 10,000 episodes and countless storylines. Showcasing all aspects of rural life in a tight-knit, family-orientated community, the show began in 1972 as a daytime programme and earned an early evening slot in 1978. While the show is now filmed in a film studio in Leeds with the village recreated on the Harewood House Estate, the village of Esholt was used from 1976 until 1994 – where fans can still visit the Woolpack Pub for a brew or their tipple of choice. The charming village of Otley is also still used to film scenes in the fictional Hotten.
Properties in the area
Heartbeat | Goathland
Located near the scenic town of Whitby, Goathland is perhaps best known for its portrayal of the fictional Aidensfield in the popular period drama, ‘Heartbeat’. The show, based in the 1960’s, ran from 1992 until 2010 and was based on the literary works of Nicholas Rhea. The series followed the lives of the police constabulary, medical staff and townspeople of Ashfordly and Aidensfield and was filmed mainly in North Yorkshire. For those wishing to experience ‘Heartbeat’ for themselves, Goathland Station and the Goathland Hotel are available to visit and may be familiar as Aidensfield station and The Aidensfield Arms.
Properties in the area
Downton Abbey | Wentworth Woodhouse & Harewood House
Since 2010, the ‘Downton Abbey’ series and the fictional Crawley family’s story has captured the attention of audiences enough to produce a feature film. The 2019 ‘Downton Abbey’ movie, set in 1927 details a royal visit to Yorkshire, more specifically to the stately home of the Crawleys. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway and its stunning surrounding landscapes made an appearance as well as Grade I-listed Wentworth Woodhouse and Harewood House.
Properties in the area
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves | Aysgarth Falls
A 1991 adaptation of the classic tale of Robin Hood, starring Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman and Alan Rickman, and filmed in various locations around England and beyond, ‘Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves’ is yet another Hollywood production to take advantage of the natural beauty Yorkshire has to offer. The picture-perfect, three-tiered Aysgarth Falls of the Yorkshire Dales National Park hosted a thrilling action scene and can be visited as part of your own adventure by the River Ure.
Properties in the area
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny | Grosmont
Last but most certainly not least, the final addition to this list is yet another Hollywood blockbuster. While there are many more examples of series and films which have demonstrated the beauty of Yorkshire, this Academy Award-nominated, action-packed 2023 instalment of the well-known series brought A-lister, Harrison Ford, to the North Yorkshire Moors. A portion of Grosmont’s railway track was used to shoot a narrow escape from a Nazi prison camp with heavy machinery and artillery rendering the quiet village unrecognisable.
Properties in the area