Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Andrew Robinson & Sophie Halle-Richards

Life in real Happy Valley street where Sergeant Catherine Cawood lives

Residents who live at the centre of the Happy Valley TV set have spoken about what life is really like on the cobbled streets of Hebden Bridge.

Pensioner, Roma Timbers, lives just around the corner from a filming location that will be familiar to millions who tune into the hit BBC show.

An alley to the rear of Hangingroyd Lane in the centre of Hebden Bridge makes an appearance in Happy Valley as the outside of Sgt Catherine Cawood's house in the crime drama, written by Huddersfield-born Sally Wainwright.

READ MORE: School where 'racist, homophobic and misogynistic' bullying is rife

The location has been drawing in fans of Happy Valley for a while and residents are getting used to pointing people in the right direction, Yorkshire Live reports.

Roma, 91, lives nearby and is a firm fan of Happy Valley, although she says Hebden Bridge doesn't feel as dangerous as Happy Valley looks. She says the drama is 'very good' and has been progressively getting 'more exciting'.

Speaking about her hometown and how it compares to life in Happy Valley, she says: "We don't have violence here. I feel very safe and most people say that.

"Halifax and Huddersfield you get a lot of things going on but Hebden Bridge is quite safe and with a good social life. When lockdown came it was quiet but now things are coming back again. People are very friendly around here."

Pontefract-raised Amy Graham, 30, who lives near Sgt Cawood's fictional house, says Happy Valley appears to be having a real-life effect on the town.

She has overheard people in the local shop asking for directions to Happy Valley filming locations. Amy says there are plenty of Airbnb holiday homes in the town centre, with people keen to see the countryside as well as sample the cafes and restaurants.

"There are three Airbnb on our street - they are always full." When she moved to Hebden from London, people were keen to know if she was moving in or just doing up the house to rent out. "It is such a community place and they want to keep it that way."

Hebden resident Michelle describes herself as an 'offcumden' (A Yorkshire term for a incomer) and is originally from Liverpool. She said the presence of Sgt Cawood and the cast during filming is the "only time you see police in Hebden".

She believes anti-social behaviour has risen in the town due to what she perceives as a reduced police presence. "You might see a bloke on a bicycle. One of those PCSOs."

She added: "Happy Valley will bring lots of tourists and is good for shops but is a pain in the arse for finding a parking space...I think it's become a tourist town - the 'Sally Wainwright' effect. It has become a tourist town and that upsets some ."

Michelle says she prefers to 'binge watch' shows and will do the same with Happy Valley. "My mum likes it; she is 93. She likes a bit of violence!"

Josie, who has lived in Hebden for two years, has never owned a TV but managed to watch the first series of Happy Valley which she described as 'pretty gritty' and 'good quality TV'.

She lives near Sgt Cawood's house and loves living in Hebden, saying: "I absolutely love it. The charity shops are ace."

On Hangingroyd Lane, residents confirmed that they had seen a rise in people looking for Sgt Cawood's filming location house.

One woman said a few people had called by asking about Happy Valley. Asked about the experience, she joked: "It isn't terrible."

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.