Emmerdale is one of the most loved and the longest-running British soap operas. Originally, it was called Emmerdale Farm, and it was broadcasted for the first time in 1972. The show was produced by ITV Yorkshire. Over the course of years, Emmerdale filming location changed several times.
Emmerdale Filming Location in the Earlier Days
In the earlier days, it was filmed in a picturesque village in North Yorkshire, called Arncliffe nestling in the charming valley of Littondale. The village forage and the Woolpack was doubled by The Falcon Inn.
The Emmerdale Filming Location in Leeds
By the advent of 1975, it was becoming quite a strenuous job transporting the crew and the equipment to the previous location. So, it was agreed the Emmerdale filming location be changed. Therefore, the location was kept nearer to the Yorkshire ITV studio in Leeds. The filming was done in a village called Esholt. This is the time when the village pub called “The Commercial Inn” name was also changed to “The Woolpack”. For the next two decades and two years, the show was shot in Esholt.
Emmerdale Set As We Know It Today
Today, interior scenes of Emmerdale are filmed in a studio, whilst the exteriors are shot in a set built purposefully for filming. This is because the villagers in Esholt were fed-up of the roads being blocked by the filming crew and soap tourists by 1998. The purpose built set was constructed on Harewood Estate, which is also near Leeds. The set is an exact replica of Esholt Emmerdale filming location. A full-time gardener has also been hired who ascertains that the roses bloom at least six weeks in advance because of the filming. The studios do not allow tourists to visit — however, the exteriors are open for coach tours and guided walking tours that take place on the weekends.