As Emerald Fennell’s new adaptation of Wuthering Heights hits cinemas, Yorkshire is bracing for a surge of visitors to the landscapes that inspired Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel. The four-mile trail from Haworth to Top Withens is already marked by countless footprints in the boggy ground, evidence of decades of literary pilgrims. The windswept moors stretch in haunting waves of brown bracken, punctuated by lone, skeletal trees that evoke the Gothic novel’s bleak beauty. Despite the expected influx, local residents appear unfazed. “We’re used to crowds,” says Craig Verity, landlord of the Kings Arms, a pub perched atop Haworth’s steep cobbled Main Street. The pub sits just steps from the Brontë Parsonage, where the famous sisters lived and wrote. The village has long embraced its literary heritage. In the Kings Arms, a board promotes cask ales named after the Brontës: Charlotte, Anne, Emily, and Branwell, the lesser-known brother. Haworth’s streets feature the Brontë Hotel, Brontë Bar and Restaurant, and even Brontë Balti, reflecting the area’s deep connection to the family legacy. The Brontë Parsonage is now a museum, displaying personal artefacts, manuscripts, and hosting workshops and screenings. The museum welcomes roughly 75,000 visitors annually, a number expected to rise following Fennell’s film release. A screening of the 1992 adaptation sold out ahead of time, demonstrating the enduring appeal of Brontë’s story. Some filming for previous adaptations, including the 1992 version starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliet Binoche, took place at East Riddlesden Hall, five miles from Haworth. The National Trust property also featured in the 2009 mini-series and a lost 1920 silent film. Marketing officer Sophie Fawcett notes that historical archives, including a 1921 article in the Shipley Times and Express, confirm its long-standing cinematic connection. East Riddlesden Hall will host a Lights, Camera, Brontë exhibition to coincide with the new film. The display includes items like a vast oak dresser believed to inspire Brontë’s descriptions, and a box bed reminiscent of the scene where Cathy’s ghost frightens Lockwood. For Fennell’s latest adaptation, the cast stayed at Simonstone Hall, a luxury country hotel in the Yorkshire Dales. Owner Jake Dinsdale recalls the stars as “lovely people, brilliantly undemanding,” and notes that Margot Robbie returned later with her husband. Guests and cast alike enjoyed the firepit, roast dinners, and afternoon tea, highlighting the relaxed atmosphere despite the Hollywood presence. Dinsdale maintains a practical perspective on the film’s impact. “It could all be a flash in the pan, or it could stick. Either way, commercial naffness isn’t for us. I’ll be happy if guests simply understand why so many people love the Yorkshire Dales.” Simonstone Hall is offering a Wuthering Heights Romantic Getaway package until mid-March, featuring champagne, candlelit dinners, and copies of the novel. Tony Watson, head of economy and tourism for North Yorkshire council, emphasizes that the area is prepared for increased tourism. “We’re experienced in managing film-driven crowds. Post-Covid, more young people are exploring the county, and this film will likely grow that demographic,” he says. Watson notes that infrastructure at sites like Aysgarth Falls can handle visitors safely while protecting the natural landscape. Local residents remain relaxed about the attention. Jack Greatrex says, “The Brontë sisters shaped this village for future generations. This film could continue that influence, connecting landscape and literature.” Watson adds with a smile, “I’m the luckiest head of tourism imaginable – the film is going to do my job for me.”