Filmed in West Yorkshire

Once known as the ‘Key to the North’, Pontefract Castle was one of England’s most important fortresses, playing a pivotal role in English history from the Norman Conquest to the Civil Wars. Today, its dramatic ruins offer visitors a chance to explore its dungeons, marvel at its royal history, and enjoy spectacular views across Yorkshire.

The castle’s imposing ruins have provided an atmospheric backdrop for several television productions. Channel 5’s Britain’s Bloodiest Dynasty used the site to dramatically illustrate the power struggles of medieval England, while historian Suzannah Lipscomb explored the castle’s Tudor connections in Walking Tudor England. The castle’s architectural features and restoration work were showcased in The Hairy Builder, where Dave Myers investigated its historical construction techniques. More recently, the castle has featured in lighter entertainment, appearing in episodes of the popular antiques show Flog It and even serving as a tourist destination in the B&B competition series Four in a Bed.

📍 Pontefract, WF8 1QH

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This striking converted water tower stands proudly in the Yorkshire countryside near Wakefield, offering panoramic 360-degree views across the surrounding landscape. The remarkable transformation has turned this industrial structure into luxury holiday accommodation spanning four floors, combining historic architecture with contemporary comfort.

The tower’s dramatic renovation journey was captured for the television series Derelict Rescue on Discovery+, documenting its conversion from a redundant water tower into a unique holiday destination. The show followed the ambitious project as the building was transformed into a four-story retreat featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, four en-suite bedrooms, multiple living spaces, and a dramatic spiral staircase at its heart, all while preserving the tower’s distinctive industrial character and commanding presence in the landscape.

📍 Flockton, Wakefield, WF4 4AU

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Set at the former Caphouse Colliery in Overton, this unique museum offers visitors the chance to enter the immersive Time Tunnel and make their way through 200 years of mining history, guided by former miners. The site features historic colliery buildings, the last remaining steam winding engine in situ in Yorkshire, and exhibits telling the powerful story of coal mining in the region.

The museum’s authentic mining environment has drawn numerous film and television productions seeking to capture the gritty reality of Britain’s mining heritage. The 1996 hit film Brassed Off! used the site to help tell its poignant story of a colliery brass band during the pit closures. The museum’s underground workings provided a compelling backdrop for the BFI documentary We’re All Black Down Here, while Kay Mellor’s A Passionate Woman utilised the historic surface buildings to recreate 1950s Yorkshire. Both Who Do You Think You Are? and DNA Journeys have filmed episodes here, using the museum’s unique setting to help celebrities explore their mining ancestry and connect with Britain’s industrial past.

📍 Wakefield, WF4 4RH

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he historic St John’s area is one of Wakefield’s architectural treasures, featuring the Grade II listed St John’s Church and Square. This beautifully preserved Georgian quarter, with its elegant houses and cobbled streets, provides a perfectly preserved glimpse into 18th-century West Yorkshire. Visitors can explore the architectural heritage using Wakefield Civic Society’s self-guided walking tour of the square and surrounding streets.

The area’s authentic period atmosphere has made it a favourite location for period dramas and television productions. The BBC’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s The ABC Murders transformed St John’s into a convincing 1930s setting, while The Confessions of Frannie Langton utilised its Georgian architecture to recreate 19th century London. The fantastical Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell featured the square’s historic buildings, and the cult series Utopia took advantage of its atmospheric streets. The political comedy The New Statesman even used a house on St John’s Square as a double for 10 Downing Street.

📍 Wakefield, WF1 2EW

Image: © Stephen McKay

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Designed by renowned architect Frank Matcham and opened in 1894, Theatre Royal Wakefield is a Grade II listed building and one of Britain’s finest surviving small Victorian theatres. With its ornate interior, featuring decorative plasterwork and elegant circle and gallery levels, the theatre maintains its original period charm while operating as a vibrant modern performance venue.

The theatre’s historic atmosphere and striking Victorian architecture have attracted television productions looking to capture its unique character. The paranormal investigation show Most Haunted Live explored the building’s ghostly tales and hidden spaces. Looking ahead, the theatre is set to reach an even wider audience as one of the main locations in Sky’s upcoming Christmas film Tinsel Town. The production, starring Kiefer Sutherland and Rebel Wilson, tells the story of a Hollywood action star who finds himself performing in a small English theatre’s Christmas pantomime. The Theatre Royal Wakefield’s authentic Victorian interiors and intimate auditorium provide the perfect backdrop for this festive tale of redemption and theatrical magic.

📍 Wakefield, WF1 2TE

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Nestled in picturesque Lister Park, the Cartwright Hall art gallery has appeared in films including the Monty Python classic The Meaning of Life. As part of Bradford UK City of Culture 2025, Turner Prize works from shortlisted artists will be showcased at Cartwright Hall this autumn, making it a must-visit for art enthusiasts.

📍 Lister Park, BD9 4NS, Bradford
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Little Germany is a fascinating area known for its striking Victorian architecture and serves as a backdrop for the Virdee crime thriller television series, adapted by A.A. Dhand from his own Bradford-set novels. Additionally, this area gained attention from the film The Six Triple Eight, which tells the inspiring story of the first African American female unit in the U.S. Army during WWI. Visitors can explore the heritage trail to learn about the rich history of this unique part of Bradford, featuring landmarks like the Little Germany Warehouse and Bradford Cathedral.

📍 Little Germany, BD1, Bradford
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Saltaire, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its beautiful Victorian architecture, particularly Salts Mill, home to various art galleries and shops. The picturesque streets have served as a setting for productions such as The English Game, Peaky Blinders, and the film Funny Cow, making it an excellent place to delve into its rich textile history.

📍 Victoria Road, Saltaire, BD18 (Parking for Salts Mill: Use Sat Nav BD17 7EF)
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The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, famous for its connection to The Railway Children and its sequel, brings the beloved story to life. From 16 July to 7 September 2025, this classic production will be showcased at the KWVR as part of Bradford 2025. It’s a great opportunity to book tickets, relax, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings while experiencing the nostalgia of vintage steam trains!

📍 Haworth Station, Station Rd, Haworth, BD22 8NJ
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Ilkley Moor, known for its breath-taking landscapes, has been a filming location for  Calendar Girls and Miss You Already, starring Drew Barrymore and Toni Collette. It recently appeared in the Netflix series The Witcher: Blood Origin, adding a touch of fantasy to its stunning vistas. This scenic spot is perfect for hiking and enjoying nature.

📍 Ilkley Moor, Ilkley, LS29 8BT
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For more cinematic inspiration in the Bradford district, explore here: UNESCO City of Film—Bradford.

Calderdale’s largest town, Halifax has one of the most complete Victorian townscapes in the country, with iconic architecture and a strong industrial heritage. It is home to the unique Piece Hall, Eureka! The National Children’s Museum, Halifax Minster and Halifax Borough Market.

Dean Clough and The Piece Hall were both locations in 2023’s Marvel Cinematic Universe thriller Secret Invasion. Dean Clough saw the opening chase sequence involving Martin Freeman’s character Everett Ross and scenes featuring Cobie Smulder’s character Maria Hill. The Piece Hall doubled as Vossoyedineniye square in Moscow, where Samuel L Jacksons’ Nick Fury and Ben Mendelsohn’s Gravik attempt to thwart rebel shape-shifting alien Skrulls from detonating several bombs.

Photo: Secret Invasion Nick Fury at the Piece Hall

Surrounded by breath-taking countryside, Hebden Bridge has been voted as the “fourth funkiest town in the world” best small market town in the UK and “the greatest town in Europe”.

BBC crime drama Happy Valley filmed extensively in and around Hebden Bridge for its three seasons, using private residences for the homes of Catherine Cawood and Clare Cartwright (Catherine’s sister) and her boyfriend Neil Ackroyd. The local Nisa shop was used as Neil’s place of employment, Nelsons Wine Bar for a pub scene and the Rochdale Canal towpath when Tommy Lee Royce is hiding out on a canal boat. Filming also took place at Hebden Bridge Railway Station and on location at Tuel Lane in nearby Sowerby Bridge.

Photo: Happy Valley

Set atop the hillside, hundreds of feet above Hebden Bridge, Heptonstall is one of the most historic villages in Yorkshire, beguiling the visitor with the quiet charm of its cobbled streets and the imposing ruins of the church of St Thomas a Becket, destroyed in a great storm in 1847.

Shane Meadows’ period drama The Gallows Pole, telling the story of the Cragg Vale Coiners, filmed largely on location in the village. Heptonstall Museum was transformed into ‘Barb’s,’ the Coiners’ favourite watering hole, which features frequently throughout the series. Scenes were also filmed in the ruins of the Church of St. Thomas a Becket and various locations and private residences throughout the small village.

Happy Valley also filmed scenes in Heptonstall at the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, when Catherine Cawood visits her daughter Becky’s grave throughout all three series and in series 2 when creepy teaching assistant Francis Drummond, infatuated with Tommy Lee Royce, checks into The White Lion public house.

Photo: The Gallows Pole – Barbs

Shibden Hall was home to Anne ‘Gentleman Jack’ Lister – landowner, businesswoman, intrepid traveller, mountaineer and lesbian. The Hall is set in 32 hectares of award-winning park and woodland. You can explore beautifully restored historic grounds which offer cascades, pools, tunnels, gardens, a boating lake and children’s play area.

International television sensation Gentleman Jack, starring Suranne Jones and written by Sally Wainwright, filmed on location in Anne’s home of Shibden Hall, its grounds, nearby Cunnery Wood and at many other locations within Calderdale including The Piece Hall in Halifax.

Photo: Gentleman Jack Series 2

This small market town, with a big industrial history, was built on the area’s success in the cotton trade. Located in the heart of The Pennines, Todmorden is blessed with stunning scenery, local walking routes, magnificent architecture, a diverse range of shops, and a thriving art community.

The 2023 comedy-drama television series The Full Monty filmed at Dobroyd Castle for the school outdoor activity trip. The Castle is a historic building above the town of Todmorden, set in its own grounds with a lake. It was built for John Fielden, local mill owner and son of ‘Honest’ John Fielden the Social Reformer and MP. The castle is now home to the Robinwood Activity Centre.

The Gallows Pole filmed at Bridestones Moor. Life on Mars filmed scenes outside the Todmorden Hippodrome Theatre. The Jetty and Catch Me Daddy filmed at various locations in Todmorden.

Photo: Todmorden, Bridestones Moor

Created by Huddersfield-born Sally Wainwright, the series is based on Anne Lister’s collected diaries—running to an estimated 5 million words, some written in a secret code and which took years to decode.  Location shooting took place in Yorkshire and surrounding areas, including Shibden Hall as Anne Lister’s home but also Oakwell Hall in Birstall and at the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield.

Based at North Light Studios, scenes were shot around Huddersfield, specifically at the Colne Valley Museum in Golcar, on the moors above Meltham and Marsden, with the main location being disused Rockingstone Quarry near Scapegoat Hill.  The latter being used to build the shanty town of Jericho and the viaduct construction.

The series focussed upon Jericho, home to a community that will live, thrive and die in the shadow of the viaduct they have been brought together to build.

Penned by Kay Mellor, the BAFTA award winning writer, Love, Lies & Records focuses on the life of registrar Kate Dickenson (Ashley Jensen) and the drama of births, marriages and deaths. The registrar’s office being a microcosm of life itself – tears, laughter and celebrations. Filmed using various spaces within Dewsbury Town Hall.

Oakwell Hall in Birstall was used for scenes for this seven-part British historical fantasy TV mini-series adapted by Peter Harness from Susanna Clarke’s best-selling 2004 novel of the same name. It premiered on BBC One on 17 May 2015 and ended on 28 June 2015. It was nominated for four BAFTA awards and recognised by the British Film Institute as one of the top ten most important television programmes of 2015.

Roy Clarke’s Last of the Summer Wine was set and filmed in and around Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, England, and centred on a trio of elderly men and their youthful misadventures; the members of the trio changed many times over the years.  The original trio consisted of Bill Owen as the mischievous and impulsive Compo Simmonite, Peter Sallis as easy-going everyman Norman Clegg, and Michael Bates as uptight and arrogant Cyril Blamire.

Last of the Summer Wine is still the longest-running TV comedy programme in Britain and the longest-running TV sitcom in the world.   There were 31 series in total and the programme continues to attract visitors to Holmfirth and the surrounding area.

Harewood House, one of the Treasure Houses of England, is the backdrop to some of the country’s most beloved period dramas including ITV’s Victoria and Downton Abbey. It was even the setting for the viral Range Rover Sport advert starring Theo James in 2024 and the British soap Emmerdale is also filmed within the Estate. Visit Harewood House and Gardens, enjoy a quintessential afternoon tea for the full experience and book on to an Emmerdale tour from Harewood to make a full day of it.

📍 Harewood Estate, LS17 9LG

Leeds Bridge is an iron structure leading over the River Aire. It bears rings, flowers, the Coat of Arms of Leeds Corporation and even features stones from nearby Kirkstall Abbey (a monastery destroyed during the dissolution in 1538). It may seem unassuming, but it is actually the subject of the one of the first moving pictures ever made. Louis le Prince, the father of Cinematography, lived in Leeds when developing his camera technology and made the first ever moving pictures here and at Roundhay Park in 1888.  Find out more about Leeds’ connection with the TV and film industry here.

📍 Bridge End, Leeds

City Varieties Music Hall captures the magic of a bygone era. A rare example of a Victorian music hall, it’s barely changed since it’s inception in 1865 and as such is used for TV shows showing the past. Most recently it was used for some pivotal scenes in Peaky Blinders, but for a long time it was the setting for BBC’s The Good Old Days. For 30 years, performers like Ken Dodd, Barbara Windsor, Eartha Kitt and Tommy Steele recreated Victorian-Edwardian songs and sketches with both them and audience in period costume. You can still catch regular comedy and musical performances in this beautiful venue today.

📍  Swan Street, LS1 6LW

The Duck and Drake has been trading for over 200 years, a great example of a classic English pub. It also happens to be the setting for the feel-good drama The Bank of Dave and it’s sequel, both available to watch on Netflix. The story of car dealer turned banker has been a runaway hit since debuting in 2023, and many people have been to the pub to have their go on karaoke like in the opening scene. It also happens to be a great pub with live music almost every night whilst serving fine cask ales and a true Yorkshire favourite – pie and peas. You can find other filming locations with Visit Leeds’ handy guide.

📍 43 Kirkgate, LS2 7DR