Social media stars are leaving the busy streets of London behind and heading instead to the wild moors of West Yorkshire. The reason is the buzz around the latest movie adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel ‘Wuthering Heights’. Influencers from around the world are flocking to the windswept landscapes that inspired the passionate story of Catherine and Heathcliff. In the new film those roles are played by Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi under director Emerald Fennell. Many visitors dress in flowing white gowns and create moody photos and videos to capture the dramatic atmosphere.
Popular TikTok creator Abby Roberts who has about 15.6 million followers posted that she was wandering the moors in search of her own Heathcliff. Other influencers with smaller but dedicated audiences have also made the trip. Travel content maker Sophie with 62,300 followers shared a video of her day on the moors in true ‘Wuthering Heights’ style. She described the wild weather where the sun occasionally broke through and cast light across the valley. The cottage she stayed in exceeded expectations with its perfect fireplace for cozy evenings and rooms full of unique charm and comfort.
The movie has sparked a fresh wave of interest in the entire region despite mixed reviews that criticized its explicit and exhausting sex scenes. The picturesque village of Haworth home to the Brontë sisters has seen a surge in visitors pouring onto its narrow cobbled streets. This boost started even before the film’s premiere on February 13. Big brands jumped on the opportunity with Warner Bros hosting influencers at the luxury Swinton Park hotel where they received gifts like Hunter boots and Aspinal of London products. Airbnb offered stays in a house styled exactly like Thrushcross Grange from the movie.
@abbyroberts catch me wondering around the moors for the foreseeable future x #wutheringheights #cathy #heathcliff #gothic #yorkshire ♬ Wuthering Heights – Kate Bush
Staff at the Brontë Parsonage Museum told The Times that visitor numbers doubled during February school holidays compared to the previous year. One recent weekend saw 590 guests which is a figure usually expected only in peak summer season in August. Comments in the guest book show that some people decided to visit after watching the film. Museum workers even spotted a guest styling her hair with ribbons to mimic Margot Robbie’s look from the movie.
@sophiegardnerx This is Brontë Country 🫶🏼 With @airbnb and @Warner Bros. UK (ad) A day spent on the moors, true “WUTHERING HEIGHTS” style wandering ancient ruins and rolling hills. The weather was wild, every so often the sun broke through, casting light across the valley. Ralph was in his element, loving every moment of the adventure. He looked just as handsome as Heathcliff himself. 🐶 The cottage was even better than we’d hoped. The inglenook fireplace was perfect for cosy evenings, and there was a sweet little nook for dinner. Each room had its own character, and the bedrooms were full of charm and comfort, it was hard to leave. We booked this unique cottage with Airbnb inspired by a visit to see @Wuthering Heights Movie #WutheringHeightsMovie #airbnbpartner #yorkshire #spring#cottagecore ♬ New Sun – Chichni Ro Bachiyo
Local shopkeepers are preparing for what could be more than a million visitors by the end of summer. Not everyone is thrilled about the crowds. Complaints have arisen about overtourism as the steep narrow streets already struggle with traffic jams. Some confused tourists have arrived thinking the village of 6,259 residents is not a real place but more like a theme park. The irony is that no scenes from the blockbuster were actually filmed in Haworth. Director Emerald Fennell chose the rugged landscapes of the North Yorkshire Dales instead for her version of the tale.
@renee.roaming Replying to @𝕽𝖔𝖆𝖘𝖙 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝕿𝖔𝖆𝖘𝖙 This is the room Margot stayed in & the hotel said the actors had a very similar experience with high tea, a roast dinner, and beautiful sunrise views over the moors. Simonstone Hall is the name of the hotel and I have a free Yorkshire itinerary on my blog if you want to copy my Wuthering Heights inspired trip! #wutheringheights #margotrobbie #jacobelordi #yorkshiredales ♬ Chains of Love – Charli xcx
Still that detail has not stopped the flow of visitors and many traders welcome the extra business during tough economic times. Hayley Smith who runs a cheese shop told the Daily Mail that TikTok era visitors are swarming the area. At one point there were 30 or 40 people on the street filming videos and asking questions. She believes the tourism boost will continue and hopes people do not realize the movie was not shot locally. Smith added that even if the film is not faithful to the book it can only be a good thing for Haworth by bringing in new people.
@journeysbykelly Only 1hr on the train from Leeds, or Manchester, you’ll arrive at the picturesque village that birthed Wuthering Heights. Plan a day trip to📍 Haworth 🥾 hike to the moody ruins of Top Withens (the Earnshaw home) and visit the Brontë Waterfall. 🛍️ Wander the cobbled Main Street & stop by The Cabinet of Curiousities for a dark botanical perfume or witchy trinket 🖋️Pen your own ‘love letter’ to the same wild Haworth landscape that inspired Emily, at @WRITERS BLOC 🕯️Discover the Brontë siblings’ secret colonial world & the global legacy of Wuthering Heights in new exhibitions at the @Brontë Parsonage Museum ♬ original sound – Journeys by Kelly
Jasmine Colgan a 23 year old from a local bar agrees that tourism has increased including many American and Chinese guests. The normally quiet period from January to March has seen shops open earlier and more foot traffic thanks to the film. Overall the wave of interest has turned a peaceful village into a hotspot for fans chasing the romantic and stormy vibes of ‘Wuthering Heights’.
@jackietodd_ Hiking to the real-life Wuthering Heights (aka Top Withens in Haworth) #wutheringheights #emilybronte #literarytravel #girlswhohike ♬ original sound – noahksticks
What do you think about this unexpected TikTok driven tourism boom in the Brontë countryside share your thoughts in the comments.
