Where is Emmerdale filmed and can you visit the famous village?

Emmerdale has been on our screens for over 50 years, and during that time we’ve seen plenty of drama grace the famous village!

The iconic ITV soap, set in the Yorkshire dales, first aired in October 1972. However, for the first seventeen years, it was known as Emmerdale Farm.

The quaint daytime serial followed the everyday life of the Sugden family in their farmhouse, and occasionally ventured down to the village, then known as Beckindale, to explore the lives of their neighbours.

With flagging viewing figures and an audience more accustomed to the high drama of rival soaps Coronation Street and EastEnders, the show was moved to primetime, sexed up with the arrival of the Tate family and its name was shortened.

As a result of these changes, it became the roaring success that it is today.

After half a century on British TV, you might be wondering where the show, with its many streets, houses, shop buildings and external locations, has been filming for so long.

And if you’re a long-term fan, you’ll probably be keen to see the real Emmerdale for yourself.

So, where is Emmerdale filmed – and can you visit the set? Here’s Metro.co.uk’s guide to what you need to know.

Where is Emmerdale filmed?

Emmerdale’s exterior scenes are primarily shot on a purpose-built set located on Harewood House Estate in West Yorkshire.

The estate, owned by The Earl and Countess of Harewood, is near Leeds and Harrogate, and has also been used for filming shows such as Downton Abbey.

The show had been using a number of nearby buildings, including those currently occupied by the Dingle and Sharma families, throughout the 90s – but it wasn’t until 1998 that a replica (with some creative license) of the village was constructed on the estate.

Prior to this, the West Yorkshire village of Esholt was used, but as you can imagine, filming in a real life location caused a number of issues for production staff who had to impose on the residents each week and avoid fans seeing spoilers!

The landlords of Esholt’s Commercial Inn even changed the name of their pub to The Woolpack in response to the tourist trade.

Originally, between 1972 and 1976, Arncliffe was used for filming Beckindale life, whilst Lindley Farm in Leathley doubled as the Sugden’s homestead.

With the houses and businesses constructed of timber, interior scenes are mostly filmed at The Leeds Studios, on Kirkstall Road in the city centre.

However, whenever you see characters inside of the church, veterinary practice or the B&B, they are actually inside of their respective external counterparts.

Scenes set in the fictional nearby market town of Hotten are shot in Otley.

During 2021’s Survival Week episodes, the Emmerdale cast and crew headed beyond Yorkshire to nearby County Durham for filming at High Force Waterfall – as well as the Tees Barrage International White Water Centre, which is located in Stockton-on-Tees.

Can you visit Emmerdale’s set?

Luckily, yes – you can! Since 2015, tours have operated of the private village set in Harewood.

Fans can expect to see the main village and cemetery whilst walking in the footsteps of their faves, plus can buy special souvenirs in the show’s production hub.

With this being an external walking tour over rough terrain, you should definitely pack your wellies if you’re planning to book tickets.

It should also be noted that a few areas are off limits – including Pollard’s Barn, Wishing Well Cottage and Holdgate Farm – as these belong to the estate, not ITV.

You’ll also not get to walk into any of the interior sets, which means pulling a pint in The Woolpack is off limits. Prior to the pandemic, tour managers Continuum Attractions operated a separate site known as The Emmerdale Studio Experience, though this has not reopened.

Kim Tate’s house, Home Farm, is private residence Creskeld Hall in Bramhope so therefore access is off limits. As is Butler’s Farm, owned by Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb) in the programme. Brooklands Farm across the road from the village set doubles for this property and they provide the animals used in scenes.

Can you visit the former filming locations?

Die-hard fans may also want to pay a visit to the real villages of Arncliffe and Esholt.

Esholt isn’t too far away from Bradford, and could be considered a step back in time given its representative of how Emmerdale looked for two decades before their big move.

Just don’t do what one couple who paid Esholt a visit in March 2022 did, and complain when they found out that the village doesn’t look exactly the same as the modern-day set!

Arncliffe, meanwhile, is about one hour, 10 minutes away from Esholt by car, and is located in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.