Every year, new travel trends capture our imaginations, yet few hold the same magnetic pull as “set-jetting.” If you have ever yearned to step directly into the frame of a blockbuster epic or lose yourself in the atmosphere of a prestige drama, Northern England is your ultimate destination. The Yorkshire region acts as a living, breathing cinematic playground, serving as a perfect pilgrimage for anyone eager to trace the footsteps of silver-screen icons. From the regal halls seen in The Crown and Bridgerton to the rugged landscapes that defined Wuthering Heights, Harry Potter, and the gritty streets of Peaky Blinders, this area has starred in some of our most beloved stories. From sweeping, windswept national parks to centuries-old manors and hidden village charms, here are seven must-visit Yorkshire filming locations where the magic of the screen leaps into reality.
What TV shows are set in Yorkshire? Bridgerton, of course!
The stately home of Castle Howard, still stewarded by the Howard family, remains the quintessential backdrop for high-stakes romance. It is little wonder that the producers of the hit Netflix phenomenon Bridgerton selected this architectural jewel to anchor the pivotal moments of their first season. From the awe-inspiring, soaring Great Hall to the classical Temple of the Four Winds and those sprawling, meticulously manicured gardens, the property seamlessly transforms into Clyvedon Castle—the dreamlike honeymoon retreat for Daphne and the Duke of Hastings.
Wander these hallowed halls and go on a woodland walk; for an afternoon, visitors aren’t just tourists, but Yorkshire royalty.
Harewood House
Tucked between Leeds and York, Harewood House is far more than a stunning 18th-century manor; it’s a portal into the past. While you can spend hours wandering its lush, rolling gardens, the estate also offers a deep, honest look into the complex legacy of the Lascelles family who commissioned it.
Its opulent, period-perfect interiors have captivated production scouts for years, serving as a cornerstone filming location for both the 2019 Downton Abbey film and the TV series Victoria. Stand on the terrace overlooking the expansive gardens, and you’ll easily feel like you’ve been transported back to the height of the Yorkshire Victorian elite.
Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
This line has been running since 1867, and it doesn’t feel like it has aged a day. When you board one of these vintage steam trains to hop between the Yorkshire villages of Keighley and Oxenhope, you aren’t just taking a trip; you’re stepping directly into a different era. The route is a magnet for film crews because it feels so authentic.
You’ll recognize the tracks from the 1970 classic The Railway Children, and if you’re a Peaky Blinders fan, you’ll immediately spot the gritty, rain-slicked locations where Grace and Inspector Campbell played their high-stakes game of cat and mouse during the first season.
What has been filmed in Yorkshire? The Crown at York Minster
A flagship jewel of the North nestled precisely where the Ouse and Foss rivers converge, the city of York houses a staggering array of treasures spanning different eras—most notably one of the largest and most magnificent Gothic cathedrals in Europe.
A visit to this majestic Yorkshire landmark, the vibrant heart of the ancient walled city, allows you to admire a sublime collection of medieval stained glass and take in panoramic views of the historic surroundings from the peak of the central tower. In the final season of The Crown, the grand wedding of King Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles unfolded within these storied walls, replacing St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle to provide the requisite regal gravitas.
Where was Harry Potter filmed in Yorkshire: North York Moors National Park
Between the wild heather that takes on a pretty purple hue during the summer season, the hiking trails that crisscross the plains, and the herds of sheep grazing the grass, the majestic beauty of the North York Moors National Park reveals a series of breathtaking landscapes.
The best way to see it? Hop on the vintage steam train that cuts right through the heart of this stunning Yorkshire scenery. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped onto a film set, and for good reason: this is where the Warner Bros. crew set up shop for key filming locations in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
The historic station in the village of Goathland famously transformed into Hogsmeade Station, the arrival point for the Hogwarts Express. To experience the magic firsthand, book a ticket on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and ride the full route—it’s the closest you’ll ever get to catching the train to Harry Potter’s wizarding school.
Shibden Hall
Located in West Yorkshire, the town of Halifax experienced a meteoric rise during the 18th century, fueled by the booming textile trade. These same cobblestone streets once carried Anne Lister, one of the most intellectually fierce and fascinating women of her century. The life of this landowner and diarist, often cited as the “first modern lesbian,” drives the BBC’s historical drama Gentleman Jack.
Just a few kilometers from the town center, a visit to Shibden Hall offers a captivating journey into the manor where Lister lived beginning in 1815 and where she penned her famously candid journals. The various rooms of the timber-framed manor, which dates back to 1420, provided the authentic, lived-in texture for much of the series’ first season.
Yorkshire Dales National Park and Brontë Parsonage Museum
For the most recent cinematic adaptation of Wuthering Heights, Margot Robbie (as Catherine) and Jacob Elordi (as Heathcliff) brought the dark, brooding romance of Emily Brontë’s classic novel to life within the vast expanses of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
While these landscapes—punctuated by jagged mountain peaks and deep, haunting moors—served as the primary backdrop for the most iconic scenes, it was in the village of Haworth that the young author first imagined this Machiavellian love story in 1847.
You can plan your foray into their world in two stages:
- The Moors: Lace up your boots and hit the trails that carve through the dramatic Yorkshire hills. You’ll feel the raw, moody energy of the landscape—the ultimate backdrop for a classic, brooding romance—in every crag and valley.
- Haworth: Step into the Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth to see where the sisters actually brainstormed their legendary stories. You can practically hear the pens scratching in the dining room, where they cooked up the intense, twisted love story that rocked the world in 1847 and brought a fictional market town to life. The real charming village seduces instantly with its steep main street lined with tea rooms, traditional pubs, and local shops.
