Phil and Ros Hopkinson, the current owners of the Aidensfield Stores, first bought a business in the village of Goathland in early 1989. Goathland, even then, attracted about 250,000 visitors a year. During September 1991 a Yorkshire Television crew arrived to film 6 episodes of a new rural drama called "Heartbeat". This was to star Nick Berry, formerly of Eastenders, as Nick Rowan, Niamh Cusack, as his screen wife Kate, Bill Maynard as local rogue Claude Jeremiah Greengrass, and Derek Fowlds, best known for his role in "Yes Minister", as Oscar Blaketon.The inspiration for Heartbeat came from the "Constable" books written by local author Nicholas Rhea, the pen name of Peter N. Walker, a policeman for over 20 years. Little did anyone foresee that "Heartbeat" would capture the public's imagination and still be produced some 15 years later? "Heartbeat" has now been sold to over 40 countries worldwide, and still attracts viewing figures of around 8 million viewers per episode.

It wasn't long before visitor numbers to Goathland or Aidensfield as it is now perhaps better known began to increase. In 1993, 2 years after "Heartbeat" began, Phil and Ros bought the Aidensfield Stores to enable them to expand their range of gifts, clothing and of course the many "Heartbeat" souvenirs they now sell. 14 years later, they pride themselves in providing a quality service to the 1 million or so visitors who come to Goathland each year.
The Aidensfield Stores is proud to say that it has appeared in every episode of "Heartbeat" that has been screened, even if sometimes it's only been in the opening credits. The flat above the shop was the District nurse Maggie Bolton's flat, played by Kazia Pelka, in series 5.

On rare occasions the actual inside of the shop has been transformed to look like a 1960's grocery shop, and on one occasion the special effects crew spectacularly blew out one of the shop front windows in a magnificent explosion!
Meeting the actors has been an interesting experience. Bill Maynard who played Claude Jeremiah Greengrass in "Heartbeat" became a good customer. He has diabetes and discovered that we keep Vanilla diabetic ice cream. Derek Fowlds (Oscar Blaketon) and Bill Simons (Alf Ventress) did a charity book signing in the shop in 2002. Thousands of pounds have been raised through other charity events including raffles. Bill Maynard gave Phil a large teddy which had featured in an episode of "The Royal" the spin off from "Heartbeat", to raffle. Another raffle gave a day on location with "Heartbeat" as first prize. The sale of a location guide, "Greengrass' guide to Goathand" raised £1000 for Martin House Children's Hospice in Boston Spa.

We also sell a wide range of "Heartbeat" merchandise including CDs, our own exclusive fridge magnets, key rings, t-towels, place mats and coasters, souvenir confectionery indeed something for anyone interested in Heartbeat.
Listed on our website is a small selection of some of the gifts and CDs on offer.