Heartbeat was one of the best-loved British television dramas of its time, a gentle series about a village policeman in 1960s Yorkshire, and its landscapes have drawn fans to the North York Moors ever since. This full-day guided tour takes you through that countryside to the places where the series was filmed, led by a driver-guide who knows the villages and the stories. The centre of the story is Goathland, the moorland village that played the fictional Aidensfield, with its wide greens, its stone cottages, its railway station and its sheep wandering across the road. Around it lie the heather moors, deep valleys and waterfalls that gave the show its sense of place, and the route often links with the coast at Whitby and the steam railway that runs across the moors. Even if you have never seen the programme, the tour is a good way to see the national park with someone who can name the villages and explain how a rural area became a television landmark. For fans, standing in the station and on the village green is the main pleasure of the day. Departure arrangements can vary, so confirm the pick-up city and time when you book.
How to visit
Choose a date and confirm the departure point and pick-up time on the booking confirmation, since tours of this kind run on a fixed schedule from a meeting place. Allow a full day, and bring money for lunch, as meals and drinks are usually not included. The itinerary can change a little with the season and with local conditions, so treat the stops as a guide rather than a guarantee.
What to expect
You travel by vehicle and make several stops, with short walks at each location. The ground can be uneven in villages and on moorland, so wear comfortable shoes. The moors are exposed, so layers and a waterproof are sensible even in summer. Commentary from the guide adds stories about the series, the cast and the history of the villages, which suits those who enjoy a bit of trivia as well as scenery.
Making the most of it
If you can, watch an episode before you go, as the locations feel richer when you recognise them. Take a camera and look for the details the guide mentions, such as the station signs, the village shops and the pub that features on screen. Combine the tour with a ride on the heritage railway on another day if you want more time on the line.
Who it suits
Fans of the series, couples and older visitors who enjoy a relaxed scenic day. Younger children may find the long day tiring unless they like trains and sheep. It is a good choice for visitors without a car who want to see the moors in depth. Those who prefer a mix of coast and countryside may like a Whitby day trip instead.
Planning around it
The tour works best for people who treat it as a scenic day with a television theme rather than a studio visit, since the filming sites are ordinary villages where people live. Be respectful, keep voices down and follow your guide's advice about photography. Goathland can be very busy at weekends and in the school holidays, so a weekday date often feels calmer. If you want a break from the vehicle, ask your guide about short walks to waterfalls or viewpoints, which are a feature of the area.
Alternatives
Combine the tour with an extra night on the moors if you want a slower pace, or choose the steam train and Whitby day trip, which passes through the same village and adds the coast. The television connection is the draw, but the scenery is the lasting memory for most guests.
What to expect
The experience
A guided full-day tour in a vehicle to the Heartbeat filming locations in and around Goathland on the North York Moors.
Best time
Spring to early autumn for the best weather, or late summer for purple heather.
How long
A full day.
Tips
Confirm the departure city and time, bring cash for lunch and dress in layers.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Fans of Heartbeat and visitors who enjoy television locations.
- Families
- Children who like trains and countryside may enjoy it, though the day is long.
- Couples
- Moorland drives and a village green suit couples looking for a quiet day.
- Pair with
- A steam railway ride or Whitby on another day.
- Time needed
- A full day.
Good questions
What is the Heartbeat tour?+
It is a guided full-day tour of the North York Moors locations where the television series Heartbeat was filmed, centred on Goathland.
Do I need to know the series?+
No. The tour is also a scenic day in the national park, although fans will get the most from it.
Where does it leave from?+
Departure arrangements can vary, so confirm the pick-up city and time when you book.
Is food included?+
Lunch and drinks are normally not included, so bring money.
What should I wear?+
Layers, a waterproof and comfortable shoes for villages and moorland.
