Emerald Fennell’s upcoming film adaptation of Wuthering Heights is set to hit theatres on Valentine’s Day 2026, stirring anticipation and controversy. The film, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, promises a visually striking experience that draws heavily on authentic Yorkshire landscapes, making the Emerald Fennell Wuthering Heights locations a key attraction for fans and visitors alike.
Yorkshire Dales Provide the Dramatic Backdrop
The film’s haunting narrative is deeply intertwined with the rugged and wild landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales, a region famously linked to Emily Brontë’s original 1847 novel. Raised in Haworth, West Yorkshire, Brontë’s connection to the moors is legendary, and Fennell’s adaptation honors this by filming extensively across Arkengarthdale and Swaledale. These valleys offer raw, natural beauty with rolling hills and windswept heathland, perfectly capturing the turbulent emotions of the story’s protagonists, Cathy and Heathcliff.
Visitors exploring these areas today can experience the same dramatic scenery, especially on popular hiking paths such as the Muker to Keld circular walk, which covers about 8.5 kilometers through heaths and alongside waterfalls. For those seeking a more challenging trek, the 13.4-kilometer Reeth to Arkengarthdale route provides a rigorous adventure. Additionally, the Yorkshire Dales National Park features several ‘Miles without Stiles’ paths, designed to be accessible for people using mobility aids or pushing buggies, ensuring the landscape remains open to a wide range of visitors.
Discovering the Charm of Low Row in Swaledale
Low Row, a quaint village nestled between Healaugh and Gunnerside, represents a quintessential Yorkshire Dales settlement with its stone cottages and pastoral setting. Though the village’s specific role in Fennell’s film remains unclear, casting director Kharmel Cochrane remarked on the set design’s boldness, suggesting the locations are as provocative as the casting choices. Low Row’s proximity to the River Swale offers recreational activities such as fishing and cycling, while The Punch Bowl Inn provides a welcoming spot for hearty meals and cozy overnight stays, rooted in 17th-century charm.
Strategically located near the midpoint of Alfred Wainwright’s famous ‘Coast to Coast’ hike, Low Row is a popular stopover for walkers journeying across northern England’s varied terrain. Its peaceful village atmosphere makes it an excellent destination for those wanting to immerse themselves in Yorkshire’s rural character.
Reeth: The Heart of Film Operations
The village of Reeth served as the operational center during filming, acting as the production hub where logistics and planning were coordinated. This placed the film deeply within the rhythms of local Yorkshire life, with many residents excited to witness the movie-making process in their community. One holiday let owner reported spotting Margot Robbie driving a tractor with co-star Jacob Elordi, despite tractors being anachronistic to the film’s 19th-century setting.
This apparent historical inaccuracy also appears with the styling of Robbie’s wedding dress, photographed during filming and later critiqued for its Victorian-era fashion that postdates the story’s timeline by several decades. Such details have led to speculation that the film might explore dual timelines or take creative liberties, enhancing its narrative complexity.
Staying at Simonstone Hall: A Historic Lodging
While filming, Margot Robbie and the cast resided at Simonstone Hall, located near Hawes. This historic country lodge served as a retreat and base for the actors, who enjoyed the estate’s unique character, including encounters with resident peacocks and pigs during downtime. The hall has been recognized in The Times’ 2025 list of the top 100 places to stay, boasting theatrical interiors that complement the film’s aesthetic, offering visitors an immersive experience steeped in atmospheric design and surrounding fells.
Sky Studios Elstree: Filming Intimate Scenes
Outside Yorkshire, a significant portion of filming took place at Sky Studios Elstree in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. This modern facility provided the controlled environment needed for the movie’s more intimate or complex interior shots, including visual effects work. Though the studio is typically not open to the public, it occasionally holds community events such as free screenings for locals, and offers educational programs through the Sky Up Academy Studios Elstree initiative, which invites young people aged 10 to 18 to engage with filmmaking from script development to production.
Immersing Yourself in the Film’s Locations
Whether you are a fan of Emerald Fennell’s provocative cinematic style or eager to walk the paths tread by Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, the film’s locations offer a tangible link to Emily Brontë’s bleak yet beautiful moorland world. From expansive hiking routes in Arkengarthdale and Swaledale to the evocative village settings of Low Row and Reeth, and the elegant country lodge at Simonstone Hall, these sites provide a multifaceted experience connected to one of literature’s most passionate love stories.
The film’s mix of historical landscapes and modern storytelling invites viewers to revisit classic literature in a contemporary light, while inviting tourism and appreciation of the English countryside’s enduring mystique. As the release date approaches, the anticipation for Fennell’s interpretation of Wuthering Heights continues to grow, with its filming locations poised to become destinations of cultural interest and inspiration for fans and travelers alike.
