Happy Valley returned to our screens for its third series in 2023 and fans have loved spending their Sunday nights immersed in the BBC One police drama. It stars Sarah Lancashire as Sergeant Catherine Cawood and James Norton as Tommy Lee Royce, the man who raped her daughter.
The drama was filmed at various locations in the Calder Valley in West Yorkshire, a dramatic landscape of steep-sided valleys and moorland, with the Rochdale Canal weaving its way through it.
There are several charming towns and villages found in the area, including the pretty village of Mytholmroyd, which has served as a backdrop for some of the scenes in the show. The village is around an hour’s drive away from Greater Manchester, or a 40-minute direct train ride from Victoria Station, making it the perfect place for a day trip.
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The village is divided by the River Calder and the Rochdale Canal, which lie parallel to each other. The streets are lined with terraced houses, built in recognisable dark Yorkshire stone.
Mytholmroyd is located two miles east of Hebden Bridge and the name derives from Old English, literally meaning the place where the two rivers meet. The village contains a number of listed buildings and became a designated Conservation Area in 2001.
It has all the feel of its Hebden Bridge but on a smaller scale. Plus you can easily walk to its neighbour along the canal towpath, which is just under two miles away.
The village has several pubs, cafes and restaurants catering for every taste. Visit the Dusty Miller, a cosy 18th-century pub for a hearty meal; or stop by The Blue Teapot for vegetarian dishes.
Mytholmroyd has some interesting famous connections. Ted Hughes, who was the Poet Laureate from 1984 to 1998, was born in the village and his former childhood home is currently rented out as a holiday home.
The village is also home to the World Dock Pudding Championship, usually held in April. The actor Robbie Coltrane entered the competition in 2007 and came second. Dock Pudding is a dish unique to West Yorkshire created using bistorta leaves, nettles, oatmeal, onions and seasoning.
As well as beautiful canalside walks you can do in the village, there are lots of routes which will take you through the stunning countryside which lies on its doorstep. To the south of the village is Cragg Vale, a valley which was home to a gang of counterfeiters in the late 18th century.
The B6138 Cragg road, which leads you from the village to Cragg Vale, is reputedly the longest continuous ascent in England, climbing 968 feet over 5.5miles. It regularly features in the Tour de Yorkshire cycle race.
Nearby Stoodley Pike is a 1,300 ft hill with a monument of the same name at its summit and it can be seen from miles around. It's worth the hike to the top for the stunning views, while you can also climb a spiral staircase inside the monument which leads to a balcony.
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