Where It Is Set Versus Where It Was Filmed
Heartbeat is set in the fictional 1960s villages of Aidensfield and Ashfordly in the North Riding of Yorkshire, places that do not exist on any map. The production filmed in real North Yorkshire locations instead: Goathland played Aidensfield, Whitby appeared as itself, Otley and Askwith supplied police locations, and the surrounding moors filled out the countryside. Interior scenes were shot at Leeds Studios rather than on location.
The Studio Side
Interior scenes were filmed at The Leeds Studios in Leeds, United Kingdom. After four years of shooting pub interiors inside the Goathland Hotel, the production built a studio replica and moved that work indoors. The studios are a working facility and not open to public visitors.
Tours That Visit These Locations
Independent travel covers most Heartbeat locations easily, since Goathland's key sites sit within a short walk of each other. For travellers who prefer a guided day that ties the village together with Whitby, a booked tour handles the driving across the moors.
Guided Yorkshire Day Trip
Heartbeat TV Locations Tour of Yorkshire
A guided day tour from $95.21 covering Aidensfield itself, including Bernie Scripps' Garage, the Aidensfield Arms and the station, before continuing to Whitby, with 21 reviews behind it.
★ 21 reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Stay At The Aidensfield Arms?
Yes. The Goathland Hotel, which played the Aidensfield Arms, still operates as a hotel and pub. Fans can visit for a drink, a meal or an overnight stay, and Heartbeat signs and memorabilia remain in the building.
Why Is Goathland Station Famous Beyond Heartbeat?
As well as playing Aidensfield station in Heartbeat, Goathland station appeared as Hogsmeade station in the first Harry Potter film. Heritage steam trains still run there, and the station is accessible by foot from the village or by rail.
Is Thornton Watlass Hall Open To Visitors?
No. Ashfordly Hall was played by the private estate of Thornton Watlass Hall, and it is not open to the public. Only its exteriors were used for filming, so it should be viewed, at most, from a distance.
How Many Episodes Of Heartbeat Were Made?
The series ran for 18 series and more than 370 episodes between 1992 and 2010. Almost all filming took place in Yorkshire, though some episodes were also filmed in Canada and Australia (Queensland).
Where Is Ashfordly Police Station In Real Life?
The exteriors of Ashfordly Police Station were filmed at Otley Courthouse in West Yorkshire. The historic building can be viewed from the street, and Otley also has other TV filming connections, including Emmerdale.
What Is The Best Base For Visiting Heartbeat Locations?
Goathland itself works well, since the hotel, garage and station are all within walking distance and the village welcomes fans. Whitby, a short drive away, offers wider accommodation and combines Heartbeat sites with its harbour and other attractions.
Goathland remains the essential stop: one village delivers the pub, the garage and the station, all publicly viewable and unchanged enough to match the screen. Add Whitby for a full day, and book the guided tour if the moorland driving sounds less appealing than the scenery itself.
