If you're wondering where is when calls the heart filmed, you're not alone.
The show's charming streets, mountain views, and peaceful small-town setting leave many fans asking whether Hope Valley is a real place and where these scenes were actually filmed.
In this guide, you'll learn the real filming locations, find out where the famous Hope Valley set is located, and see why British Columbia was chosen for the series.
I've carefully researched the official filming locations and production details to make this guide clear, accurate, and easy to follow.
I'll also cover the studio work, how to visit, and a few interesting filming facts. If you're simply curious or planning a visit, you'll find everything you need in one place.
Overview of When Calls the Heart
When Calls the Heart is a family drama series based on the Canadian West book series by Janette Oke.
Set in the early 1900s, it follows schoolteacher Elizabeth Thornton as she builds a new life in the close-knit community of Hope Valley. Although the town feels real, Hope Valley is a fictional place created for the series.
In Season 1 the town was called Coal Valley, named for the mine at the center of the story. It became Hope Valley starting in Season 2 and has kept that name ever since.
Most of the show is filmed in British Columbia, Canada, using a permanent town set along with the region's beautiful countryside. The series has built a devoted fan base known as the Hearties, many of whom visit the filming locations.
If you're searching for where is when calls the heart filmed, understanding these locations offers a closer look at the places that bring Hope Valley to life on screen.
Where Are the Main Filming Locations?
The heart of the series is a permanent movie set in British Columbia, supported by nearby towns, forests, and countryside that bring Hope Valley to life.
Jamestown Movie Set (MacInnes Farms)
The Jamestown Movie Set at MacInnes Farms is the primary filming location for When Calls the Heart. The set sits on a 96-acre parcel of farmland in Langley, British Columbia, owned by the MacInnes family.
Rod and Wendy MacInnes purchased the property in 1977 as a dairy farm. In 2005, a location scout spotted it from an airplane and knocked on the door to ask about filming. The first production was Scary Movie 4.
When it wrapped, the MacInnes family kept the set, relocated the buildings to another part of the farm, and began welcoming other crews. Five of those original structures are still part of Hope Valley today.
In 2012, Kevin MacInnes began writing to co-creator Michael Landon Jr. Those emails led to a scouting visit with Brian Bird, and the Jamestown set became Hope Valley.
The set features the church, schoolhouse, café, mercantile, jail, saloon, row houses, homes, and main street.
All buildings are real structures on skids so they can be relocated as needed. Interior scenes are filmed inside these actual buildings, not in a separate studio. Because the set stays in place between seasons, the production returns each year with the town looking exactly the same.
The Church
The Hope Valley church was added to the set in 2015 and has become one of the most photographed structures on the property.
It sits against a scenic backdrop and its setting near the surrounding farmland makes it easy to see why fans consider it a highlight of any tour. It is one of several buildings added over the years as the town has grown since filming began.
Langley, British Columbia
Located about an hour from Vancouver, Langley serves as the main production base for When Calls the Heart. The area's peaceful farmland, open fields, and quiet rural roads provide the perfect setting for the show's early twentieth-century atmosphere.
Many outdoor scenes are filmed around Langley, where modern buildings can easily be kept out of view. The community has long been a popular filming destination because of its scenic landscapes and proximity to Vancouver's film industry.
Its combination of convenience and natural beauty has made Langley an ideal location for the long-running series.
Vancouver Area
While Hope Valley itself is filmed in Langley, the greater Vancouver area supports much of the production.
Nearby studios are used for scenes that require additional space, while other outdoor locations across the region provide forests, rivers, and mountain views seen throughout the series.
Vancouver is one of North America's busiest production centers, offering experienced crews, equipment, and production facilities.
Its close distance to Langley allows the cast and crew to move efficiently between locations. Scenes involving Elizabeth's family home in Hamilton are filmed in Vancouver itself rather than on the Jamestown set.
MacInnes Farms
MacInnes Farms is more than just the location of the Hope Valley set. The surrounding farmland and countryside also appear in many scenes throughout the series.
Wide-open fields, country roads, and natural landscapes help create the peaceful setting that defines the show. The property also includes a horse arena where many of the actors have learned to ride.
The MacInnes family continues to farm the land alongside all filming activity, and the farm has welcomed over 100 productions since it first opened to crews in 2005.
Local Forests and Countryside
Many scenes outside Hope Valley are filmed in the forests, meadows, and rural landscapes surrounding Langley and other parts of British Columbia. These natural locations provide beautiful backdrops for horseback rides, family gatherings, and community events.
The changing seasons also add variety to the series, with blooming spring fields, colorful autumn scenery, and occasional winter landscapes appearing throughout different episodes.
Using real outdoor locations helps the show maintain its authentic small-town atmosphere while showcasing the natural beauty of British Columbia.
Where Are the Indoor Scenes Filmed?
While the streets of Hope Valley are filmed on a permanent outdoor set, many interior scenes are completed within the actual buildings on the Jamestown set rather than in a separate studio.
Studio Filming in British Columbia
Most interior scenes in When Calls the Heart are filmed inside the real buildings at the Jamestown set, where production teams can still control lighting and sound.
Some additional work has been completed at studio facilities in the greater Vancouver area for scenes requiring special equipment. Castel Film Studios in Bucharest, Romania, has also been used for some production work, adding variation to certain backdrops across the series.
Permanent Hope Valley Sets
Because the buildings at the Jamestown set remain standing year-round, the production team can return to the same locations without rebuilding them each season.
When filming wraps, props and dressings are removed from the property and brought back once the show is renewed. The bare structures look noticeably different without their props and paint details, which is worth knowing before booking a tour.
Fans who visit between seasons will see the bones of Hope Valley without all the finishing touches that appear on screen.
Why Practical Sets Were Used
The creators of When Calls the Heart chose practical sets because they fit the series' realistic storytelling style. Real buildings and fully constructed interiors provide natural details that help actors interact comfortably with their surroundings.
Practical sets also make it easier to maintain continuity over multiple seasons, since the same locations can be reused whenever needed.
Instead of depending heavily on digital backgrounds, the production focuses on authentic environments that reflect the charm of a small early twentieth-century town. This approach has become one of the defining visual features of the series.
Studio Filming vs. Outdoor Filming
When Calls the Heart combines its permanent town set with outdoor production to create the world of Hope Valley. Outdoor scenes are filmed on the Jamestown set and surrounding countryside, while any additional studio work is handled at facilities in the Vancouver area.
This balance allows the production to capture the beauty of British Columbia while ensuring consistent conditions for interior scenes.
By blending both methods, the series creates a seamless viewing experience that makes Hope Valley feel like a complete and authentic community.
Why Is When Calls the Heart Filmed in British Columbia?
British Columbia provides everything the production needs to bring Hope Valley to life. Its forests, mountains, rivers, and open countryside closely match the peaceful setting described in the series, making it an ideal filming location.
The province is also home to a well-established film industry with experienced crews, modern production facilities, and reliable studio space.
Building the permanent Hope Valley set in British Columbia allows the cast and crew to return each season without recreating the town, saving both time and production costs. The region's changing seasons also add natural variety to the show's scenery throughout the year.
By combining beautiful landscapes with practical production advantages, British Columbia has remained the perfect home for When Calls the Heart since filming began.
Can You Visit the When Calls the Heart Filming Locations Today?
Yes, fans can visit the Jamestown Movie Set at MacInnes Farms and book a guided tour. Tours are offered during the summer and fall when the production is not actively filming.
They are conducted by Melanie MacInnes, who personally escorts visitors around the set, tells the story of how it came to be, and answers questions along the way. The tours are donation-based, with all proceeds going toward the family's farming operations.
Keep in mind that props and dressings are removed after each season, so the set will look bare compared to what appears on screen.
Fans visiting the Langley area when the set is unavailable can also visit Fort Langley and other nearby communities where Hallmark productions have filmed. If you're planning a trip, check for the latest information on tour availability before traveling.
Comfortable walking shoes and a camera are recommended, especially if you want to compare the real landscapes with your favorite scenes from the series.
Fun Facts About When Calls the Heart Filming
The series brings Hope Valley to life through permanent sets and the beautiful landscapes of British Columbia.
- Hope Valley is fictional:The beloved town was created specifically for the series and does not exist as a real community. In Season 1 it was called Coal Valley.
- The set has an unlikely origin:MacInnes Farms was first spotted by a location scout from an airplane. The first production filmed there was Scary Movie 4 in 2005, and five of those original buildings are still part of Hope Valley today.
- A family email started it all: Kevin MacInnes wrote to co-creator Michael Landon Jr. in 2012, which eventually led to the show choosing the Jamestown set as its home.
- The buildings are on skids: Every structure can be relocated around the property, giving production the flexibility to rearrange the town layout when needed.
- The church was added in 2015:It has since become the most-photographed building on the set.
- The town was built for filming:The Hope Valley set was specially constructed at MacInnes Farms and has remained in use for multiple seasons.
- Fans are called Hearties: The show's passionate fan base gathers both online and in person to celebrate the series, and many make the trip to Langley for a tour.
- Real countryside surrounds the set: Forests, farmland, and mountain views help create the peaceful atmosphere seen throughout the series.
Conclusion
I hope this guide answered your questions about where is when calls the heart filmed and gave you a better understanding of the real places behind Hope Valley.
I always enjoy learning how a well-designed filming location can become just as memorable as the characters, and the story of how MacInnes Farms became Hope Valley is one of the best origin stories in TV production.
If you ever visit British Columbia, it's worth exploring the beautiful landscapes that helped shape the show. Have a favorite Hope Valley location or episode?
Leave a comment below, share this guide with fellow fans, or try our other filming location articles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hope Valley a real place?
No. Hope Valley is a fictional town created for the series and is represented by a permanent movie set in Langley, British Columbia. The town was called Coal Valley in Season 1 before the name changed in Season 2.
Who created When Calls the Heart?
The series was co-created by Michael Landon Jr. and Brian Bird, who chose the Jamestown set at MacInnes Farms after Kevin MacInnes reached out to them in 2012.
Why is When Calls the Heart filmed in British Columbia?
British Columbia offers scenic landscapes, experienced production crews, modern filming facilities, and a permanent town set, making it an ideal location for the series.
