One of the country's most popular soap operas, Emmerdale is filmed on a purpose-made set on Harewood House Estate near Leeds in West Yorkshire. Harewood House is no stranger to film crews, as it also featured in the Downton Abbey film.
The set is a replica of the village of Elshot in West Yorkshire, where the soap was filmed for around 20 years, from 1977 to 1997. As with all great villages, there is a pub in the real Elshot, The Commercial Inn, but it was eventually renamed The Woolpack during its time as a TV set. Located on Main Street, why not call in and have a drink?
However, Elshot was not the original Emmerdale. When the soap was known as Emmerdale Farm, village scenes were filmed in the Yorkshire Dale's village of Arncliffe. The local pub, The Falcon Inn became The Woolpack.
Where was Emmerdale Farm?
The exterior scenes for Emmerdale Farm were filmed at Lindley Farm, near Esholt, between 1972 and 1994. Today, it looks very different, as the farm was sold for development and the barns are now houses.
Where is Hotten?
When scenes in Emmerdale's fictional nearby town Hotten are needed, the quaint market town of Otley steps up.
Can you visit Emmerdale?
Not only can you visit the villages where Emmerdale has been filmed over the years, you can also book on to the Emmerdale Village Tour, which features today's TV set and gives you the chance to explore The Woolpack, Café Mainstreet and David’s Shop, as well as wander along its iconic Main Street. For fans of the soap, the 80-minute tours often include meeting a member of the cast too.
