Image: the Riot Women at the Hebden Bridge Festival, Episode 6 (Drama Republic Ltd)

BBC’s latest drama Riot Women has captured audiences with its gripping storyline and stunning Yorkshire backdrops. If you’ve been wondering where those atmospheric scenes were filmed, we’ve got you covered! Why not plan a visit and walk in the footsteps of the cast? Here’s your ultimate guide to the filming locations across Calderdale and beyond.

Hebden Bridge – A Hub of Character and Charm

Hebden Bridge’s cobbled streets and vibrant culture make it a perfect setting for Riot Women. Take time to explore Hebden Bridge’s quirky boutiques and riverside walks whilst you’re there. Key spots featured in the series include:

• Bridge Gate – The heart of Hebden Bridge, lined with independent shops and cafés. Don’t forget to visit the historic Packhorse Bridge just off Bridge Gate, where Beth first hears Kitty sing in the first episode of Riot Women. Originally built in 1510, the bridge acted as a vital crossing point for packhorses travelling between Halifax and Burnley!
• Albert Pub – The Albert (known locally as the Famous Albert) was transformed into The Duke of Wellington for the filming of Riot Women, and was featured regularly throughout the series as it was the pub at which Jess, played by Lorraine Ashbourne, was the landlady.
• White Swan – This was the pub where Beth discovered Kitty’s talent. Having had a rotten day, Kitty goes to drown her sorrows in the White Swan and takes part in the pub’s karaoke session… Beth just happens to be passing by, and the rest is history.
• COIN Hebden – Restaurant scenes throughout the series were filmed at COIN in Hebden Bridge, including a meal with Beth’s son and his in-laws. COIN is an intimate wine bar in Hebden Bridge, serving seasonal plates, natural wine & cocktails, which has been placed in the Good Food Guide Top 100 Best Local Restaurants for 2023. 2024 & 2025.
• Calder Holmes Park in Hebden Bridge was used as the location for a festival that the Riot Women perform at in the final episode. Close to the Hebden Bridge town centre, the park featured a remarkably authentic festival stage, complete with camera dollies, towering cranes, and throngs of concert extras!

Sowerby Bridge – Railway Nostalgia

• At Sowerby Bridge railway station, Holly’s mum gets found in her nightie by the police. This is the first time we see the character Rudy (Ben Batt) who’s underhand behaviour just gets worse as the show goes on. When visiting Sowerby Bridge railway station, a hot drink at The Jubilee Refreshment Rooms is a must. Situated adjacent to platform 1, this café is operated by two railway enthusiasts, Andrew and Chris Wright, who have re-created the type of Station Refreshment Rooms common during the golden age of rail travel, featuring plenty of railway memorabilia and a roaring fire.

Mytholmroyd – Celebrating Community Art

• St Michael’s Church Hall – just across from St. Michael’s Parish Church in Mytholmroyd, this community venue is used as a hub for local artists…and the Riot Women were no exception! The Church Hall was used as the location for the talent show which the band took part in, raising money for refugees. Both the church and hall were severely damaged during the devastating Boxing Day floods of 2015, but thanks to determined efforts from the community and council, they’ve since been beautifully restored, and are certainly worth a visit.

Todmorden – A nod to Calderdale’s Industrial Past

Todmorden’s dramatic landscapes and bustling town scenes feature prominently:

• Bridestones –In this powerful scene, Kitty is dropped off ‘in the middle of nowhere’ by her drug dealer friend and walks across the moors drinking vodka in her own thoughts. There’s some fantastic drone footage of Bridestones Moor – a breathtaking natural rock formation, much loved by hikers and nature lovers. Bridestones Moor is a hotspot for rare animals and plants, and it is Calderdale’s first community-owned nature reserve.
• Nanholme Mill – this nineteenth century cotton mill, situated between the Rochdale Canal and the River Calder, was used for the interior of Jess’s garage where the band practiced. Nanholme Mill was famed for its prolific production of “Jeans, Dongarees and Bedford cords” (according to the original poster advertising the mill’s products) for over a hundred years. Take a walk along the canal and discover the numerous creative enterprises now based at Nanholme Mill – including the arts space run by Foldworks, and Feline Woodcraft – a family-run cabinet maker, café and gifts and crafts shop!

Halifax – Historic Elegance and Urban Grit

Halifax offers a mix of grand architecture and modern life:

• Wickes Halifax – The well-known hardware store was the place where Kitty pinched some spray paint and a hammer to destroy her partners car, shown in the now-famous scene with Rosalie Craig.
• Morrisons Illingworth – This was used as a location in Episode 1 when the police were called to the store as Kitty was having a breakdown!

• Calderdale Royal Hospital – Kitty’s brushes with the law lead to multiple hospital stays, filmed against the backdrop of Halifax’s Calderdale Royal, which provided both exterior and interior shots. The hospital holds deep significance for locals—so much so that when its A&E department faced potential closure, around 5,000 people rallied in nearby Huddersfield to keep it open.
• The Old Cock Pub – This pub is the location for the fight scene with football supporters, which dramatically escalates. One of the oldest pubs in Halifax, the Old Cock Pub is a historic watering hole with plenty of character – including being the location where Halifax Building Society was formed in 1852, and where the leader of the Cragg Vale Coiners, ‘King’ David Hartley, was arrested in 1769.
• Holdsworth House Hotel is used as a location for Beth’s Mum’s care home in Episode 5. Originally a 17th-century Jacobean manor, it is a must-visit for fans of period charm. The Beatles famously stayed at Holdsworth House in the 1960s, and over the years, the hotel has appeared in acclaimed productions such as Gentleman Jack and Last Tango in Halifax – created by Riot Women’s own Sally Wainwright.

Behind the Scenes: Fun Facts & Trivia

• Authentic Local Touches: Sally Wainwright, the show’s creator, grew up in West Yorkshire and insisted on filming in Hebden Bridge and Halifax to capture the dialect, humour, and sense of place that make the series feel real. She described the area as “even more Hebden-centric than Happy Valley” and said, “You can’t beat the landscape—it just looks gorgeous on camera.”
• Filming Dates: Principal filming took place in June and July 2024, with the cast sharing behind-the-scenes snaps on Instagram, including shots of the band rehearsing and the crew setting up in local pubs and mills.
• Local Extras: Many scenes feature real Calderdale residents as extras, adding to the authenticity and community vibe of the show.

Plan Your Visit

Exploring these filming locations is a fantastic way to experience the beauty and diversity of Calderdale and its surrounding areas. Whether you’re drawn to the rugged moors, historic pubs, or charming market towns, Riot Women has showcased the very best of Yorkshire life.

And that’s not all….some of Britain’s most well-loved TV shows have been filmed in Calderdale! Take a look at our Film Calderdale Movie Map to find out more…you can even plan your own Film Trail around the Borough.

So, why not make a weekend of it? Enjoy local food, browse independent shops, and soak up the scenery as seen on screen!