<< In my life I’ve had dreams that have stayed with me for a long time, and have changed my ideas; they have permeated me like wine permeates water, and have changed the color of my mind >> . There are sentences in the books we read that remain engraved like a brand on the mind. And from “Wuthering Heights”, the immortal 1847 masterpiece by British author Emily Brontë, there are countless phrases to remember. But since each phrase reflects a state of mind, our advice is to read it (or read it again, purely for pleasure, without school obligations) so to find your own. And if you read it while actually traveling the places depicted in the story, it will be even more moving. Yorkshire, in England, is a perfect region for a late summer vacation… so treat yourself to the Wuthering Heights route now!
Where does your itinerary begin?
Your itinerary will begin at Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA), the most important airport in the Yorkshire region, which handles international flights directly as well as connections from major London airports (such as Heathrow LHR and Gatwick LGW). From there, numerous transportation options, including buses, taxis, high-speed trains, and rental cars will help you explore the region. We recommend hiring one of our chauffeured transfers, so you can enjoy the convenience of following the entire itinerary at your own pace, with a professional driver always at your disposal.
Emily Brontë and the quintessential romance novel
The author of Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë, grew up in a highly cultured environment from an early age. The daughter of a Protestant pastor, she was born in Yorkshire in 1818 with the surname Prutney, though her father would soon change it to Brontë – in honor of his friend Admiral Horace Nelson, a war hero who had become Duke of the Sicilian fiefdom of Bronte. Along with her five brothers and sisters (also poets and writers), she began creating stories as “scripts” for her doll games. Her career, prolific but modest at first, gained success with the publication of the tormented love story between Catherine and Heathcliff. Wuthering Heights dominated European romantic literature for over a century and inspired numerous films, later.
Haworth and Top Withins
If you want to discover the real locations of the novel—the roads the characters traveled and the landscapes the author envisioned as she brought them to life—you should start your itinerary in the town of Haworth. Located in the Bradford district of West Yorkshire, it still has just over 6,000 inhabitants and has remained almost unchanged since Brontë’s time. People come here to search for traces of this great writer and her equally famous siblings, something you can also do by visiting Brontë Parsonage Museum, dedicated to the life and works of Emily, Charlotte, Anne, Branwell, and their religious father. The museum is located in the town’s old parish house, which was actually the Brontë family’s home and is maintained with furnishings and style of their time.
Other interesting places in Haworth include Brontë Bridge, located near a small waterfall where the Brontë siblings reportedly often went to relax; a flat stone near the stream is called the “Brontë Chair” because Emily herself apparently loved to write sitting there! Not far from the town is Top Withins, an old estate that inspired Emily to create the settings for her characters; it is located 5 km from the town and can be reached with a short 13-minute drive.
Monuments not connected to the Brontë family and their novels are the industrial architecture that also made this town interesting to many artists: the ancient structures of the Old Mills, the Old Station, the Keighley & Worth railway line, and the houses of Main Street.
The films set: Bridestones Moor
The films based on the book have sought a much more solemn and magical atmosphere than the tranquil English countryside. Many directors, for example, have shot their most important scenes at Bridestones Moor.
This important site of historical and cultural interest, known for its numerous bizarrely shaped stones rising from a cliff, is often accompanied by drifting mists, whistling winds, and rain clouds that enhance the “English atmosphere”. The soft sandstone rock formations have curious shapes—human heads and faces, birds, turtles, bears—certainly very striking in a film. An oval boulder about four and a half meters high, “The Great Bridestone”, is famous for its precarious balance: although it appears on the verge of collapsing, it attracts many curious onlookers ready to take selfies against that backdrop!
Bridestones Moor is located 20 km from Haworth and it takes about 35 minutes to reach, by car. The landscape is captivating and relaxing, a perfect place for a late summer holiday.
Yorkshire Dales National Park
Films inspired by Wuthering Heights also find excellent locations in the Yorkshire Dales National Park .
The Yorkshire Dales (40 minute drive from Haworth) is one of the most captivating natural areas in northern England and is famous for its green landscapes, hills, valleys, and characteristic stone villages. It was established in 1954 and is now a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The area is characterized primarily by its numerous valleys, called “dales”, formed over thousands of years by the action of rivers and glaciers. Among the best-known places are Wensleydale, Wharfedale, and Swaledale. Swaledale itself resembles the landscapes described by the author of Wuthering Heights more than any other. The park is also home to spectacular waterfalls, such as Aysgarth Falls, and interesting limestone formations, including Malham Cove, a huge, striking rock face.
The fauna is diverse and includes numerous species of birds, foxes, deer, and small mammals. The flora is also characterized by meadows, heaths, and woodlands, which change appearance with the seasons. The landscape is also marked by the presence of ancient dry stone walls and traditional farms, evidence of the region’s long agricultural history. The Yorkshire Dales is ideal for hiking, cycling, and photography. Numerous trails allow you to explore the valleys and reach spectacular viewpoints. Visitors can also discover small villages, sample local produce, and feel fully immersed in the rural tradition that inspired Brontë’s novel.
In conclusion, the Yorkshire Dales National Park combines nature, history, and culture. The beauty of its landscapes and the tranquility of its environment make it one of the most distinctive and interesting national parks in the United Kingdom.
