The village of Goathland featured in the background of hit movie Harry Poter and it is just as magical in person. The village is home to a world-famous railway which King Charles once visited
A UK village which has been used for TV and movie sets still looks frozen in time – with steam trains and quant shops.
Goathland, located on the North Yorkshire Moors, is best known for its part in Harry Potter and popular show, Heartbeat. The stunning village looks largely similar to what it did 100 years ago and still has its vintage feel. The stunning area, which is home to Goathland Station, has an old-style traditional platform and is hugely favoured for its historical charm. The station even features a platform tea room, which goes down a treat with both locals and tourists.
The world-famous platform has attracted visitors from across the globe and offers a hop-on-and-off steam train service. Station master John Bruce loves the area and says he worked on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway line as a volunteer since 1969. He said: “You name it, I have done it. I have always been interested in railways.
Mr Bruce works on the signal boxes for the charity, which runs the daily services for the popular railway and is operated by around 1000 volunteers and around 100 paid staff. “There are other vintage railways but very few of this size – we are most definitely one of the biggest with probably the most passengers,” he added. At the peak of the season around eight trains run on the line every day – and they’re mostly steam-powered, with residents and tourists from as far away as Australia able to hop on board. The must-see celebrity station was Hogsmeade Station in the first Harry Potter film and featured as Aidensfield in the ITV programme Heartbeat, reports Express.
Mr Bruce, who recently met King Charles who was visiting the station, said: “They certainly enjoy the experience. The majority of people know about us before they get to the railway. Some people know about Harry Potter as it was used in Harry Potter scenes and of course Heartbeat. The railway was used quite a lot to film for that series.” He added: “They [the visitors] are very much into Heartbeat – it’s repeated in the UK but shown every day in Australia and New Zealand.” Locals use the train too, with villagers sometimes hopping on to get to market day in Pickering. “Some of the local Grosmont and Goathland residents go to Pickering on market day by the steam train”,” said Mr Bruce.
But despite knowing the whole North York Moors line like the back of his hand, Goathland is where his heart is. Mr Bruce added: “My favourite is Goathland Station as I have been involved from the start and look after it with a team of volunteers. It’s the archetypal railway station with a booking office, tearoom and sidings. It’s got everything you would expect from a country station.” He added: “I am absolutely passionate about it.” To hop aboard yourself or find out more about the line that runs from Whitby to Pickering visit the website here.
