Saturday 2 April 2022

Emmerdale Farm

After visiting Last Of The Summer Wine Country, we decided we'd head out to take a look at some other filming sites, this time the places where Emmerdale Farm was filmed.

Emmerdale is a British soap opera which is now filmed at a purpose made set in the grounds of Harewood House, but prior to 1989 it was known as Emmerdale Farm and the outdoor scenes were filmed first of all at Arncliffe and later at Esholt. The Emmerdale Farm farmhouse itself can be found in Leathley, a village in Harrogate so that's where we headed first. When the series first started it was about farm life so the farmhouse featured heavily.

Next we visited Otley, a market town on the River Wharf, which is used for filming in Emmerdale as the fictional market town of Hotten.

We visit Otley fairly often and used to bring the children when they were young. It's a lovely walk by the river and I remember days out here as a child myself, it used to have a lovely paddling pool where families would flock to when the weather was nice.

What do you make of the name of the park though? I always have a little snigger when I see the sign, childish, I know, haha.

Archie's legs were getting tired after our walk so we headed back to the car and set off for Esholt. The name of the pub in Emmerdale is The Woolpack. This one in Esholt was called The Commercial when filming took place there but its name was changed to The Woolpack as the landlord at the time tired of the inconvenience of the frequent pub sign changes.

The Post Office had a sign outside advertising that they sell Emmerdale merchandise but apart from that, and the name of the pub, you'd never know that Emmerdale had once been filmed here.

It's a picture perfect village, tranquil, stunning scenery and pretty cottages.

We took a walk through the churchyard. It looked well kept. I actually love a walk through a churchyard, I find the gravestones so interesting to read and look at.

St Paul's church was built in 1839 for use as a private family chapel. It was not consecrated until 1853. We didn't go inside, we had Archie with us.

What a stunning view from the church door, overlooking the River Aire.

Another lovely day out, somewhere a bit different.

23 comments:

  1. I watch Emmerdale every evening and enjoy it but not much about the farming community anymore, I am bit turned off with some of the storylines now to be truthful. Looks a lovely visit and my husband and son went on an organised tour there once. I agree about the park's name, made me smile too :)

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  2. Another lovely walk you've taken us on, Jo. I hope Archie's legs recovered quickly! I confess to sniggering at the Tittybottle Park sign, too. I think we all have a bit of an 8 year old child in us - and long may that continue! 😁

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  3. I've never watched Emmerdale, but I am aware of the location, it looks a lovely walk, your post is making me think we do need to come north more.

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  4. My mother used to watch Emmerdale and loved the farming aspect of the soap. Towards the end of her life she got a bit bored with it as she said it was 'just the same' as other soaps. We visited the filming locations many years ago and it made a great day out. Lovely photos and a great reminder of a day out with my parents from years ago. Thank you.

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  5. It looks so beautiful up there. I am really looking forward to having the time to be able to get to these places. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. I don't know that I have ever watched Emmerdale but now that you mention it I remember it being called Emmerdale Farm. It is fun to go and visit the places that TV shows are made isn't it and try to work out what was used and where. You have some really lovely places close to you for days out, I am glad that you enjoyed this one too. That little church looks delightful and what a wonderful view from the door.

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  7. That's such a beautiful and charming village. It really makes me realize that even the beautiful Oregon coast is very charm free!

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  8. what a fantastic post and great photos.I used to watch when it was Emmerdale Farm,but never do now.Thanks for sharing,I didn't know some of the info,so interesting and brought back some memories.xx

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  9. Your quest to see those shows 1ocations went we11 I say!

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  10. I went on one of the national coach holidays there many years ago and really enjoyed it even though I don't watch Emmerdale, I still have the fridge magnet I bought from that post office stuck on my fridge. One of my favourite things to do is visit churches and old graveyards, my family think I'm very morbid but it's something I've loved doing since I was a child. Have a lovely weekend Jo.xx

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  11. I don't watch Emmerdale but this area looks lovely. Although I'm not booking any more trips for this year ;) X

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  12. Another beautiful place to walk. I would love to walk along that stream.

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  13. Oh Jo, a lovely day out again and I too like Otley & have been quite a few times. Yes, the name of that park made me giggle too when I saw it & I sort of did a double take. I love churchyards & find some of the gravestones interesting and sad. Take care & hugs.

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  14. You certainly made the most of the good weather.
    A lovely visit and photographs, and yes, the name of the park did make me smile :)

    Enjoy your weekend.

    All the best Jan

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  15. It's a wonderful area. I remember coming over the hills to Arncliffe one holiday with all the fields full of buttercups.

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  16. I've never really got into Emmerdale, it's interesting to see where the filming took place. Looks a lovely setting for a stroll round.

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  17. Interesting post and pictures. I agree about churchyards and gravestones. xx

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  18. I've never watched Emmerdale either, and I'd no idea that there was a set in Harewood House grounds. What next Heartbeat?

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    1. We had a trip to Whitby during the week and drove through Goathland on the way back, though I haven't blogged about it. Heartbeat is mentioned in this post from back in 2015 though:- http://jo-throughthekeyhole.blogspot.com/2015/08/yoo-hoo-im-home.html

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  19. I remember watching Emerdale with my gran when it used to be more about set around the farm, I think it was on in the day time too not the evening. I don't watch any soaps so don't really know what's going on now. You've had some lovely days out.

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  20. I haven't watched the programme for many years, the last time I saw it it was still Emmerdale Farm - Matt and Dolly were two of the characters, they had young twins and she worked in the pub. Joe was still there and Jack was played by a different actor to the last one. To be honest the locations aren't somewhere I would want to go to but they do look nice, especially in the second photo.

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  21. Really lovely little village, I love how they adopted the name of the pub. I have never watched Emmerdale (Farm or otherwise) but my late Dad was a huge fan!
    Jillxo

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  22. I've never watched it but goodness, what beautiful country! The name of the park made me laugh. What a lovely day out.xxx

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