How do I get to Goathland from Thornton-le-Dale?

It is about 13 miles by road, roughly 20 minutes by car via Pickering and the A169. The steam train from Pickering takes about 45 to 60 minutes, and selected Coastliner 840 buses run from the village in about half an hour.

Was Heartbeat filmed in Goathland?

Yes. Goathland played Aidensfield. The Goathland Hotel was the Aidensfield Arms, and Goathland station was Aidensfield station.

Where do you park in Goathland?

At the National Park car park on Beck Hole Road, YO22 5LX, which has toilets, or at the station car park, YO22 5NF, run by CPS UK Ltd. Do not park on the green or the grass verges.

Can you walk from Goathland to Grosmont?

Yes. The Rail Trail is a signposted 3.5 mile route along the old railway line via Beck Hole.

Where can I watch Heartbeat now?

ITVX has an official Heartbeat episode page. Check current TV listings for repeats.

Heartbeat country

Goathland from Thornton-le-Dale: a Heartbeat country day out

Goathland is about 13 miles from Thornton-le-Dale, roughly 20 minutes by car via Pickering and the A169, or about 45 to 60 minutes on the steam train from Pickering station. The moorland village played Aidensfield in ITV's Heartbeat, and its station became Hogsmeade in the first Harry Potter film. This guide plans the day out from here: how to get there, the filming locations, parking and the walks.

For the full guide to the village, see our sister site's Goathland village guide.

By Jon Cosson · Last checked 6 November 2026

The fingerpost on Goathland's green, with the village behind.

At a glance

Where: A moorland village about 13 miles from Thornton-le-Dale, 1.2 miles west of the A169 between Pickering and Whitby
Known for: Aidensfield in Heartbeat, broadcast from 1992 to 2010, and Hogsmeade station in the first Harry Potter film
Village parking: National Park car park, Beck Hole Road, YO22 5LX, with toilets
Station parking: Goathland station car park, YO22 5NF, run by CPS UK Ltd for the railway
Walks: Mallyan Spout waterfall, and the 3.5 mile Rail Trail to Grosmont via Beck Hole

From Thornton-le-Dale

By car, about 20 minutes. Drive west to Pickering on the A170, then north on the A169 towards Whitby and take the signed Goathland turn. The village sits 1.2 miles west of the main road.

By steam train, about 45 to 60 minutes. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway calls at Goathland on the way from Pickering to Grosmont and Whitby. The path from the station up to the village is steep.

By bus, about half an hour. Selected Coastliner 840 journeys from Thornton-le-Dale run on to Goathland. Check the current timetable on our getting here page before relying on a return.

Heartbeat in Goathland

Heartbeat ran for 18 series on ITV, from 1992 to 2010, and Goathland played the village of Aidensfield throughout. The filming locations are the point of the day out for many visitors, and you can see them from public roads and paths:

The Aidensfield Arms is the Goathland Hotel, a working pub. Check the hotel for current hours.
Scripps garage and funeral parlour is the garage beside the green.
Aidensfield Stores is the village shop.
The village church is St Mary's. Please respect services.
Aidensfield station is Goathland station on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

Goathland is a living village, not a television set. Keep off private property, do not park on the green or the grass verges, and give the grazing sheep space.

The Harry Potter station

Goathland station became Hogsmeade station in the first Harry Potter film. The station gift shop sells Harry Potter and Heartbeat gifts, and the tea room is in the old goods shed. The station is a working stop on the heritage railway, so check the NYMR timetable before planning to see a train, and see our railway guide for tickets and the season.

Walks from the village

The Mallyan Spout waterfall walk starts near the Mallyan Spout Hotel. The path is rocky and slippery near the falls, so wear proper footwear.

The Rail Trail is a different walk: a signposted 3.5 mile route from Goathland to Grosmont along the line of the old railway, through Beck Hole. Check the railway's operating dates if you plan to take the train back up the hill.

Heartbeat cars

Car fans will know the police Ford Anglia, and Claude Greengrass's 1954 Morris Commercial truck, which the Northern Echo reported in 2002 was called Mandy Morris. Nicholas Rhea's character notes list Nick Rowan's MG TA and Kate Rowan's Triumph Herald. These are programme vehicles, not cars on display in Goathland today. For classic cars closer to home, the Bangers & Cash guide covers the Mathewsons museum in Thornton-le-Dale.

Common questions

How do I get to Goathland from Thornton-le-Dale?: It is about 13 miles by road, roughly 20 minutes by car via Pickering and the A169. The steam train from Pickering takes about 45 to 60 minutes, and selected Coastliner 840 buses run from the village in about half an hour.
Was Heartbeat filmed in Goathland?: Yes. Goathland played Aidensfield. The Goathland Hotel was the Aidensfield Arms, and Goathland station was Aidensfield station.
Is Goathland station the Harry Potter station?: Yes. It became Hogsmeade station in the first Harry Potter film.
Where do you park in Goathland?: At the National Park car park on Beck Hole Road, YO22 5LX, which has toilets, or at the station car park, YO22 5NF, run by CPS UK Ltd. Do not park on the green or the grass verges.
Can you walk from Goathland to Grosmont?: Yes. The Rail Trail is a signposted 3.5 mile route along the old railway line via Beck Hole.
Where can I watch Heartbeat now?: ITVX has an official Heartbeat episode page. Check current TV listings for repeats.