Yorkshire’s most famous film sets to visit in May half-term from Harry Potter to King's Speech

There’s a reason Yorkshire is known as ‘God’s Own County’ – and the filmmakers of Hollywood clearly agree.

All four corners of Yorkshire have provided the backdrop for a number of TV spectacles and cinematic masterpieces from Emmerdale and Heartbeat to Harry Potter and The King’s Speech.

With May half term on the horizon, the historic county provides the perfect film and TV lovers day out, whether you want to follow in the footsteps of megastars like Cillian Murphy and Henry Cavill or Yorkshire royalty such as Jeff Hordley and Emma Atkins.

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So if you’re looking to get out of the house with the kids this half term and are stuck on what to do, then walking in the footsteps of some of your favourite stars may be the perfect way to do it.

Here are some of the best filming locations across Yorkshire to scout this half term:

Malham Cove

The Yorkshire Dales beauty spot was used in one of the most popular film franchises of all time. Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson starred in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 scenes in which they used the limestone pavement to pitch a tent in their bid to escape Voldemort.

Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

Perhaps best known for its starring role in The Railway Children, the five-mile stretch of railway line from Haworth was also used in Brideshead Revisited, Last of the Summer Wine and A Touch of Frost, among many others. It was even shot ‘by order of the Peaky Blinders’ for its first series which aired in 2013.

Emmerdale Village Tour

One of the UK’s most popular soaps, Emmerdale has been filmed on the Harewood House Estate since 1998. Guests can visit the famous Woolpack pub, which has seen no end of drama down the years, and stroll through one of the nation’s most famous villages. Guided tours of the set can be booked here. Booking the Emmerdale tour also includes access to Harewood House, which was used in the Downton Abbey film and Gentleman Jack, among other productions.

Hull’s Old Town

In 2021, Hollywood A-listers Henry Cavill and Millie Bobby Brown were snapped in Hull. The city’s Old Town is attracting growing interest from producers, which included the team behind Netflix hit Enola Holmes 2. In the last couple of years, ‘Hullywood’ was also the stage for Bodies and The Personal History of David Copperfield.

Bradford City Hall

Jenna Coleman’s reprisal of Queen Victoria hit our screens in 2016, telling the story of the monarch’s long reign. The grade I listed building – which is Victorian itself – was used in the series which also starred the likes of Laurence Fox and John Sessions. Both Emmerdale and Coronation Street have also shot scenes at the Centenary Square venue where its courtroom played host to the likes of Gail Platt and Chas Dingle.

Elland Road

Along with Bradford Bulls’ Odsal, the home of Leeds United doubled up for the original Wembley Stadium in George VI’s final speech of the 2010 blockbuster. As well as lead actor Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter also starred as the monarch stammered during his public address.

Goathland

Heartbeat was quintessential Yorkshire TV and Goathland was its heart. The Sunday night classic was shot in the small village just 20 minutes from Whitby and remains a popular tourist spot today. Goathland doubled for the fictional village of Aidensfield and many recognisable landmarks including the local pub and village shop remain today. Goathland Station is also the real life Hogsmeade Station from Harry Potter!

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