Happy Valley is a critically acclaimed British crime drama that has captivated viewers since its debut in 2014. With gripping storylines and an all-star cast, it’s no wonder why the show has become so popular over the years.
But what many fans may not know is that much of the show was filmed in the picturesque Calder Valley towns of West Yorkshire.
From Hebden Bridge to Todmorden, these small market towns have played home to some of the most iconic scenes from Happy Valley.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the Happy Valley filming locations and how they brought this beloved series to life. So come along with as we take a tour through one of Yorkshire’s most underrated regions!
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What is Happy Valley?
BAFTA award-winning BBC series Happy Valley first stormed onto screens across the UK in April 2014.
The crime drama is written and directed by Yorkshire’s own Sally Wainwright. She was the creator behind another popular Yorkshire-based series, Gentleman Jack.
Happy Valley follows police sergeant Catherine Cawood (played by Sarah Lancashire) who is struggling to come to terms with the suicide of her daughter. Divorced, living with her sister who is a recovering addict, and attempting to raise her grandson who is the product of her daughter’s rape, Catherine’s past comes back to haunt her.
In series two, Catherine finds herself tangled in a web of lies. She is the suspect in a string of murders throughout the Calder Valley region.
And with season three now on our screens, let’s look at the Yorkshire locations that were used for the filming of the programme.
Where is Happy Valley filmed?
Happy Valley is filmed throughout the Calder Valley region in West Yorkshire. Primary filming locations include the towns of Hebden Bridge, Todmordon, Luddenden, Mytholmroyd, Keighley, Sowerby Bridge, Heptonstall, Halifax, and in the city of Bradford.
The name “Happy Valley” is also synonymous with the area. It is what local police call the Calder Valley because of its drug problem.
Happy Valley Tours
If you want to experience Calderdale’s Happy Valley for yourself, you can visit the Happy Valley filming locations on a five-day coach tour with Just Go Holidays.
The Happy Valley & Brontë Steam tour includes a scenic tour around some of the filming locations for the critically acclaimed British crime drama and a heritage steam train ride on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.
Happy Valley Filming Locations
Set against a backdrop of hardy Northern towns and rugged Yorkshire landscapes, selecting the ideal filming locations was vital to the success of Happy Valley.
And with a whole host of locations fitting the bill across the Calder Valley, you can sample a little bit of each of them through the screen.
Here is a closer look at the towns of the Calder Valley which inspired and were featured in Happy Valley.
How many of these Happy Valley filming locations do you recognise from the series?
Hebden Bridge
Hebden Bridge has become an iconic filming location for Happy Valley. Its cobbled streets and picturesque views of Hebden Water provide a perfect setting for Sarah Lancashire’s character.
With its unique architecture and stunning landscape, Hebden Bridge provides a beautiful backdrop to this thrilling crime drama.
The history of Hebden Bridge’s development was heavily influenced by its strategic location. It lies at the intersection of two rivers – Hebden Water and Calder. This made it an important trading hub for merchants travelling between Halifax and Manchester.
In more recent times, Hebden Bridge has become known as an arts and culture centre due to its thriving creative scene. Many artists have made their homes here over the years.
This vibrant energy continues today. Hebden Bridge hosts numerous festivals throughout the year celebrating music, theatre, and art from around the world.
One of the most famous Happy Valley filming locations in Hebden Bridge is a backstreet. This is the location Catherine’s house in the series.
The series also features a former post office just around the corner, which acts as the police station.
Todmorden
Todmorden is a small historic town to the north-west of Leeds. It is a charming market town with plenty to explore and discover.
Todmorden was once an important centre for trade, industry, and transport networks. During the Industrial Revolution, its population boomed with many new mills being built along its riverside to take advantage of its plentiful water supply.
In addition to this industrial growth, Todmorden also developed into a major market town renowned for producing textiles such as woollens, cotton goods and carpets which were exported around Britain and even abroad.
Today visitors to Todmorden can explore its fascinating past by visiting some of its historic landmarks or immersing yourself in the impressive Pennine landscapes on a hike to nearby Stoodley Pike.
The combination of bustling town and rural landscapes made it the ideal filming location for scenes in Happy Valley.
Luddenden
Luddenden is a small village in the Calder Valley. It has been around since at least 1274 when a manorial roll in Wakefield described a corn mill operating in Luddenden to grind corn from the east side of the valley.
The village was once an important stop on the packhorse route between Halifax and Keighley. At the time, this was a major goods route through the Pennines akin to the modern day M62.
Life in Luddenden is much quieter today. It is renowned for its beautiful historic buildings and an excellent track record of winning both Yorkshire in Bloom and Britain in Bloom competitions. Thanks to their dedicated bloom team, Luddenden is one of the most beautiful villages in the Calder Valley.
This picturesque village doesn’t look out of place amongst the gritty town settings of Happy Valley however. The heavy-set stone houses and historic buildings makes it the ideal filming location, which has been used for several shows, as well as for scenes in Happy Valley.
Mytholmroyd
Mytholmroyd is another charming town that sits on the banks of the River Calder. It has become increasingly popular as a filming location for television shows and movies.
Despite its recent fame, Mytholmroyd has an interesting history that dates back centuries. From ancient burial grounds of national importance to some notorious inhabitants, this town has witnessed many changes over time.
Today, it is an idyllic backdrop for exploring this historic area with its cobbled streets, old mills, and quaint pubs. It is easy to see why it earned a spot in the Happy Valley filming locations list!
From taking a stroll along the canal path or visiting one of the many cafes, breweries, or independent shops, Mytholmroyd is a surprising location well worth exploring!
Keighley
Keighley is home to some of the most iconic filming locations for Happy Valley.
The town has been around since at least 1086 when it was mentioned in the Domesday Book and has a long history of industry and culture.
From its beautiful landscapes to its bustling market square, Keighley is an ideal location for filming due to its diverse range of architecture and scenery.
Keighley boasts beautiful countryside views and historical sites that provide excellent backdrops for this gritty series.
Whether you’re an ardent fan or just looking to explore some stunning scenery, Keighley makes an ideal day trip from nearby cities such as Leeds and Bradford.
From exploring ruins to taking in breath-taking views across the moors, Keighley has plenty to offer visitors both on-screen and off!
Sowerby Bridge
Sowerby Bridge is the primary Happy Valley filming location. It is also the hometown of Sally Wainwright. So, it is an area she is remarkably familiar with when writing the screenplay!
Like many of the surrounding towns, it began as an agricultural community. But developed into an industrial centre during the Industrial Revolution.
Sowerby Bridge was once rife with cotton mills, calico printing works, engineering shops and chemical factories contributing to its growth.
In more recent years, it has become known for its picturesque canal-side setting and unique mix of independent businesses.
As a Happy Valley fan, you will find yourself at home with the Sowerby Bridge landscape. You will recognise many sights if you take a stroll through the streets of the market town!
Heptonstall
The little village of Heptonstall is another popular Happy Valley filming location. It is also a bit of a hidden gem in the Calder Valley.
Heptonstall dates from 1274. The name translates as “the stable in Hebden”. Despite being a sleepy village, a battle was fought in Heptonstall during the Civil War in 1643.
You might be surprised to learn that Heptonstall opted to shun some of the modern comforts it has once seen. The village regained its traditional charm in the 1980s when the paved roads were removed in favour of the original stone setts.
At this time, they also chose to replace the streetlights with cast-iron gas lamps. The lack of modern additions to the historic village makes it the ideal filming location for period dramas.
Although this wasn’t essential to filming Happy Valley, it is easy to see why the location scouts fell in love with Heptonstall!
Discover the backdrop of Happy Valley for yourself with this walk from Hebden Bridge to Heptonstall.
Plan a visit to the Calder Valley
With so much beautiful, rolling countryside, and many charming towns it’s no surprise that the Calder Valley is the setting and filming location for Happy Valley.
This surprisingly remote area of West Yorkshire is often overlooked, but it has a lot to offer visitors.
If you are looking for a quiet escape with beautiful walking routes through rugged countryside and enchanting small towns bursting with independent shops and cafes, why not plan a visit to the area?
A trip to the Calder Valley guarantees a quiet escape, without the price tag of the Lakes or the Dales!
If you love remote escapes with lots of options for outdoor activities, particularly walking and hiking, you should consider the Calder Valley as your next Yorkshire getaway.
To help get you started with your planning, you can find your perfect hotel using the map below.
More Filming Locations in Yorkshire
Are you a film and TV buff looking to discover even more Yorkshire locations on the big screen?
You can find all the Yorkshire Gentleman Jack filming locations in this guide.
Plus, you can discover the 30 most popular filming locations in Yorkshire here. You’ll be surprised by some of the names you see on this list!
Happy Valley Filming Locations
Have you spotted any of these Yorkshire sites in the Happy Valley series? Next time you give it a watch, be sure to keep an eye out and see how many of them you recognise!
And if you love Yorkshire as much as I do, sign up for my weekly newsletter for even more Yorkshire adventures and tips!
Until our next adventure,
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Hello, I’m Hannah! I’m a writer and photographer who loves experiencing the wonders of Yorkshire. My guides will help you escape from your daily routine by showing you that you don’t have to go far to find an adventure.