Sir David Attenborough’s Wild Isles: The Complete Guide
Looking for a one-stop shop on all things Wild Isles? Explore our handy guide, featuring all you need to...
by Steph Boal / Film and TV
If, like me and the rest of the nation, you’ve had a Happy Valley-shaped whole in your life since the hit TV series ended in 2023, then you might be interested in uncovering some of the show’s most iconic filming locations.
Debuting on our screens in 2014, the BBC crime drama took the nation by storm and had us gripped every week, eager to see the next twist in the tail. We’re used to seeing thrilling police dramas in bustling cities, but part of Happy Valley’s charm was undoubtedly its setting in the picturesque Calder Valley and of course, the dulcet tones of the Yorkshire accent.
Sergent Catherine Cawood’s story took place in multiple places across Northern England; from the charming cobbled streets of Hebden Bridge to the thriving city of Leeds, there are countless Happy Valley filming locations that you can still explore today!
Read on and discover these Happy Valley filming locations…
Hebden Bridge is an idyllic market town tucked away in the Upper Calder Valley in West Yorkshire.
This quaint town is renowned for it’s charming cobbled streets, honey-coloured stone buildings and has often been labelled a bohemian paradise. More recently, the town is best known for being one of the main UK filming locations for Happy Valley.
Here you’ll find notable filming locations like Sergent Cawood’s home, plus you’ll be in close proximity to the breath-taking valleys and dales, making Hebden Bridge a must-visit for Happy Valley super fans. It is also home to one of the best waterfalls in Yorkshire!
As the home of the show’s main character, this Happy Valley filming location features frequently throughout all three series.
Find Catherine’s house on Hangingroyd Lane in Hebden Bridge. It will look most familiar to those who remember Tommy Lee Royce breaking in during an intense series three showdown, or to those who remember Catherine and Clare drinking tea or Ryan playing football outside the back of the house.
In series three, Hebden Bridge Railway Station makes an appearing when Catherine’s grandson Ryan is seen skipping school to board a train from Hebden Bridge to Leeds to see his father Tommy’s appearance in court.
Settled a little outside Hebden Bridge in the village of Hepstonstall is the churchyard of St Thomas the Apostle. To eagle-eyed Happy Valley fans, this will be instantly recognised as Becky’s grave. Catherine’s daughter died by suicide after being attacked by Tommy Lee Royce; an event that is the catalyst for the whole show.
After it is revealed that Ryan has been visiting Tommy in prison, Neil and Clare’s house becomes a prominent Happy Valley filming location when he temporarily moves in with the couple. It can be found on Hangingroyd Road in Hebden Bridge.
Neil joined the series at the beginning of series two, after bumping into old school friend Clare. The two begin a relationship and by series three, are living together. Neil’s place of work is heavily featured as a Happy Valley filming location and can be found on Carlton Street in Hebden Bridge.
Sowerby Bridge is another of Calder Valley’s delightful market towns. Resting at the meeting point of the Rochdale Canal and the Hebble Navigation, the town is now a thriving hub of pubs, cafés and walking routes that attract tourists from across the country.
Similar to Hebden Bridge, Sowerby Bridge is another of the main filming locations for Happy Valley. The town can be seen many times throughout the three series, usually when Catherine is out on police duty,
We often see Ryan at football practice or in school throughout Happy Valley. A particularly memorable scene from series three sees Catherine arrive at the school in her police uniform after a teacher accuses Ryan of vandalising his car. These scenes were all filmed at Ryburn Valley High School in Sowerby Bridge.
Fans of the show might remember a particular scene where Catherine receives a call from her colleagues requesting backup after a microwave was thrown out of a window onto a police car.
She asks if it’s the work of the phantom fridge thrower and then delivers the brilliant line ‘Ooh he’s diversifying’. This memorable Happy Valley filming location is on Tuel Lane.
Lying on the outskirts of Leeds, Halifax is the next prominent Happy Valley filming location on our list. It is perhaps best known for its beautiful architecture and role in the Industrial Revolution.
Halifax is home to a host of popular attractions, including the beautiful, Grade-I listed Piece Hall, which houses music concerts, comedy shows and events including Calderdale Pride.
You can also find the Eureka! National Children’s Museum – the perfect thing to do in the rain! The town is also popular with fans of the Brontë sisters as Emily Brontë, author of Wuthering Heights, was born here.
Be sure to pay a visit to these attractions after spotting the Happy Valley filming locations below…
This Jacobean manor house on the outskirts of Halifax featured as a filming location in series three of Happy Valley, when Catherine’s ex-husband Richard went to meet one of the notorious gangsters from the Knezevic family.
This spectacular location is actually a luxury hotel and restaurant, but has also appeared in Sally Wainwright’s other hit TV show, The Last Tango in Halifax, which also features Sarah Lancashire.
One of the main plot points in series three was Joanna Hepworth’s prescription pill addiction, which was being supported by pharmacist Faisal Bhatti. In the show, they can be seen meeting and planning the downfall of her husband at the Shay Café on Hunger Hill.
We were all gripped to our screens watching as Tommy Lee Royce dramatically escaped from court in series three. After his mammoth cycle through the countryside, he arrived at his safe house, set up by Darius Knezevic.
This particular Happy Valley filming location is on Warley View in Halifax and offers panoramic views across Yorkshire’s luscious, rolling countryside.
Ripponden is another of Calderdale’s picturesque villages. Surrounded by beautiful countryside and littered with listed buildings, as well as some iconic filming locations from Happy Valley.
The next entry on our guide to Happy Valley filming locations featured heavily in series three, as Faisal and Rob were main characters in this series’ storyline. The lovely street that these characters lived on is Stones Drive in Ripponden.
Happy Valley was not just filmed in the Calder Valley. Its reach extended across the whole of the UK, with many people recognising locations close to their own homes on their TV every week.
Read on to learn more about the some of the other notable Happy Valley filming locations.
Leeds train station is another notable Happy Valley filming location in series three. Viewers were left in shock watching Ryan board the train in Hebden Bridge and arrive in Leeds, ready to watch Tommy stand trial.
One of the show’s biggest revelations was that Ryan had been visiting Dad Tommy in prison, despite being under strict instructions not to see him. What was perhaps more shocking was that Clare, Catherine’s sister, someone who understood the extent of Tommy’s crimes, was facilitating these meetings.
The nation eagerly watched as Catherine waded into a café to confront Clare. This tense moment was filmed in the Amico Café in Bolton.
Upon breaking out of police custody in court, Tommy dons a bicycle and flees the scene. After a tense cycle, he pauses and looks over the rolling beauty of Warley Moor Reservoir, also known as Fly Flatts Reservoir. Covering an impressive 68 acres, a visit to this Happy Valley filming location promises access to some of the best walks in Yorkshire.
Although it aired in 2014, fans will remember the shocking moment that Tommy poured petrol over himself and his son, threatening to kill them both. Collectively, audience hearts were racing as Catherine rushed to find the canal boat where Tommy was staying.
Thankfully, she arrived in time to rescue Ryan before Tommy could ignite a flame, and pulled him to safety. These thrilling scenes were filmed along the Rochdale Canal that crosses the Pennines. If you’re looking for a specific spot then keep an eye out for Canal Bridge 5 in Luddenfoot.
Throughout Happy Valley, we get to learn more about Catherine’s colleague and eventual daughter-in-law, Ann Gallagher, who is introduced in series one as the kidnapping victim of Tommy Lee Royce. She goes on to join the police force to help other victims of crime.
In series three she is happily married to Daniel Cawood, the two living in a fantastic home that oozes charm and character. This particular Happy Valley filming location rests on the edge of Bradford and is Upper Headley Hall, a Grade-1 listed Elizabethan Hall.
After the shocking events of series one, Tommy is back in prison and throughout series two and three, we see glimpses into his life through scenes in the prison. Although he was held in Sheffield Prison, these scenes were actually filmed in Shrewsbury Prison.
This historic prison was decommissioned in 2013 and now runs a whole host of events. Visit to try and escape The Hole escape room or join a guided through the prison where you will get to see more of this famous Happy Valley filming location.
The last Happy Valley filming location on our ultimate guide covers the court scenes in series three. Jaws dropped across the nation when Tommy leapt out of his box and escaped from what was meant to be Leeds Crown Court. However, these scenes were in fact filmed at Bolton Magistrates Court.
If these filming locations in Happy Valley have inspired you to take a trip then book one of these Yorkshire cottages. Be sure to brush up on your Yorkshire slang before your getaway too!
by Steph Boal / Film and TV
Hi, I'm Steph and I joined the Sykes team in 2022. I grew up in the North East of England so unsurprisingly I love exploring the w...
Read More About Author
Sign up to receive exclusive offers, competitions and the latest news to your inbox, and you'll be entered into our monthly prize-draw 3 times!
Looking for a one-stop shop on all things Wild Isles? Explore our handy guide, featuring all you need to...
Get Ready for Bookings. Our Brand New TV Advert. Launching on Boxing Day 2022. We are thrilled to share...
With the tenth and final series of Doc Martin airing on our TV screens on Wednesday 7th September 2022,...
Are you on the phone to our call centre? Your Customer ID is:
Get involved in the Discussion