Yorkshire Dales village is home to original set of Emmerdale

The ITV soap which was known as ‘Emmerdale Farm’ back in the day, began airing in 1972, with its first TV set based at Arncliffe in Littondale.

However, as the programme grew in popularity, the need for more permanent and accessible filming locations became apparent.

This led to the relocation of the outdoor scenes to Esholt in 1976, where the show was filmed until 1997.

Since then, Emmerdale has been filmed at Harewood Estate near Harrogate, where a purpose-built set was made, but Esholt remains iconic for its role in the ITV show’s early years.

Where did they film the original Emmerdale?

But five decades later and soap fans still visit Arncliffe near Kettlewell and Malham, especially to enjoy a drink at the iconic pub that the Woolpack was first modelled on, all those years ago.

The “olde worlde” Falcon Inn located “off the beaten track”, currently has a 4.2/5 rating on Google, based on 480 reviews.

This happy customer wrote in a review: “A superb quirky pub off the beaten track. Sitting in the village green in front of the inn gives you one of the greatest views in The Dales. Cosy, friendly and utterly charming.”

Another added: “This is unequivocally one of my most favourite old world pubs in the Yorkshire Dales. A friendly, warm welcome, a great pint (the best Theakston’s in the county), and good wholesome food. All this is in one of the best walking/ hiking areas in the Yorkshire Dales NP. Reasonable prices, log fire, fantastic surroundings. Simply ace.”

But what else can you look forward to seeing in Arncliffe? From a lush village green in the summer, to pretty cottages, and “superb” walks all year round, there is a lot to discover.

The Yorkshire Dales website shares: “The area’s unspoilt landscape is a much bigger draw than any past association with soaps. Home to just 85 people, the village is like something on a postcard with its central green, stone built cottages and striking farmlands.

“During the warmer months of the year, the green’s lush grass is sprinkled with buttercups and makes an excellent place for a picnic.

“I can’t do it” 💔#emmerdale pic.twitter.com/e8pTcA4m03

— Emmerdale (@emmerdale) October 23, 2025

“Arncliffe is the largest of four settlements in the Littondale valley and the cottages on its north-western side face out towards the beautiful limestone scars on the hills beyond the Little Wood.

“This unspoilt countryside provides a number of superb walks and cycling routes, but the more seasoned hikers and bikers will likely take the awe-inspiring paths towards Malham and Kilnsey.

“A favourite pastime in the village is fly fishing. The River Skirfare has clear water and is filled with brown trout, but is regarded as one of the most challenging fishing areas in the whole of the Yorkshire Dales.”

It continued: “One of Arncliffe’s most delightful sights is the Church of St. Oswald. This grade two listed building was constructed between the 16th and 18th centuries and likely replaced a wooden Saxon place of worship.

The Longest-Running UK Soaps

“The church was regularly visited by the novelist, poet and Church of England priest Charles Kingsley during the Victorian era and it is widely believed that the village provided him with the inspiration for his famous 1873 children’s story The Water Babies.”

Can you walk around the Emmerdale set?

If you’re keen to see what Emmerdale’s set currently looks like in real-life, you can head to the Harewood Estate for a tour and step into the drama for yourself.

The official Emmerdale Village Tour website shares: “Wander around the Emmerdale village production set, where the magic happens and the drama unfolds.

“Home to the Emmerdale cast during the week, our exclusive weekend tours give you the chance to experience the drama for yourself.

Yorkshire Dales village is home to original set of Emmerdale

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