Emmerdale fans can visit Esholt, the original Yorkshire village where the ITV soap was filmed, and enjoy a pint at The Woolpack pub, one of the show's most iconic locations.
The History of Filming in Esholt
Emmerdale, which premiered in 1972 and was known as Emmerdale Farm until 1989, is set in a fictional village in the Yorkshire Dales. Created by Kevin Laffan, the programme was originally filmed in the village of Esholt between 1976 and 1997.
While interior scenes were filmed at the Leeds Studios from the show's inception, exterior scenes were shot in the village to give Emmerdale a more realistic feel. These days, the soap films the bulk of its content in its own purpose-built village.
Why the Move Away from Esholt
The decision to move away from Esholt was made because villagers grew tired of camera crews and tourists taking up the roads. Interior scenes are now filmed in a studio in Leeds, while exteriors are shot on a purpose-built set on the Harewood estate on the outskirts of the city.
Claire King, who plays Kim Tate, said in the 2022 documentary Emmerdale 50 Unforgettable Years: "It was like doing live theatre, you'd get bus loads coming in to see us filming." Lisa Riley, who plays Mandy Dingle, added: "We couldn't film because of the noise, it would be like 'and action.... waaahhh' a baby's crying, so I think after a while they realised that the only thing we could do would be to build our own village."
What Fans Can See in Esholt
Despite the soap no longer being filmed there, Esholt remains a popular attraction among Emmerdale fans. The original West Yorkshire village regularly welcomes viewers of the show.
Among the landmarks fans can see are the manor house, Esholt Old Hall at Upper Esholt, and The Church of Saint Paul. Built at a cost of £800 in 1839 by William Rookes Crompton-Stansfield, the building was originally used as a private family chapel.
The Woolpack and Other Attractions
The Woolpack pub remains running, with its walls covered in memorabilia. Visitors can enjoy a pint in a place where Emmerdale icons Annie Sugden, played by Sheila Mercier, Zak Dingle, played by Steve Halliwell, and Christopher Chittell's Eric Pollard all sat to discuss the goings-on in the village.
Offering traditional pub grub, the pub on Esholt's main street is dog-friendly and has indoor seating as well as front and rear exterior options. Another place to visit is the village's post office, a Grade-II listed property also on the main street, where many scenes were filmed and where lots of memorabilia is on offer.
