The release of the new Hollywood adaptation of Wuthering Heights has triggered an unexpected tourism phenomenon in Yorkshire's Bronte country, with TikTok creators and social media influencers descending upon the picturesque village of Haworth. Fans of the Margot Robbie-starring film are making pilgrimages to the dramatic Pennine hills landscape that inspired Emily Bronte's 1847 gothic novel, sharing their experiences across digital platforms.
The TikTok Effect on Historic Haworth
Content creators are documenting their journeys to what they're calling "the real Wuthering Heights," with some even organizing brand-sponsored trips to the tiny Dale village. TikToker Katie Kennedy, known online as TheHistoryGossip, posted extensively about her visit, including footage from the Bronte Parsonage Museum and her cosy hotel accommodation. Another popular video featured a hiking route promising to show viewers the authentic Wuthering Heights locations, garnering over 1,700 likes.
Transport and Attractions Going Viral
The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway has become particularly popular among visiting influencers, with many recommending the steam train journey as an atmospheric way to travel back in time. Other highlighted locations include the Old Post Office in Haworth, where user BronteEverAfter claimed Emily Bronte originally posted her manuscript to publishers. The Bronte Parsonage Museum itself has seen increased attention as the historic home where the literary sisters lived and wrote their celebrated works.
Local Reactions to the Social Media Invasion
Most Yorkshire residents appear welcoming of the attention, recognizing the potential economic benefits for the area. The cobbled streets already feature numerous Bronte-themed shops and museums that traditionally attracted literary tourists, but the film's release has brought a younger demographic. This week, visitors could even encounter a man in tweed singing Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights on street corners ahead of the film's Friday premiere.
Local resident Jack Greatrex told the Guardian: "The Bronte sisters shaped this village for future generations, and for lovers of landscape and literature. This film could mean that they continue to do so." Tony Watson, head of economy and tourism for North Yorkshire Council, noted that the area has experience managing film-related tourism surges and observed increased interest from younger visitors exploring outdoors post-pandemic.
The Disneyland Perception Problem
Local historian David Pearson identified one persistent annoyance: some tourists don't believe Wuthering Heights represents a real location. "Sometimes what is really disappointing is that people think it's not real!" he explained to the BBC. "Increasingly you go there, and I live in the village, and you get people saying do people actually live here - they think it's some kind of Disneyland."
Economic Impact and Future Prospects
Diane Park, owner of the Wave of Nostalgia bookshop in Haworth, told YorkshireLive that while major events like the film release bring welcome tourism, increased footfall doesn't always translate directly to sales. "Volume of people doesn't mean volume of sales, because people just come to look and that's great, and they might come back again another time because it's a beautiful village," she noted.
Emerald Fennell's 2026 adaptation starring Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie represents just the latest in a long line of Wuthering Heights interpretations. Previous versions include the 1939 film featuring Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon shot in California, Ralph Fiennes' 1992 adaptation filmed at East Riddlesden Hall near Haworth, and various television productions. The 17th-century National Trust property at East Riddlesden Hall has featured in multiple adaptations, including a 2009 mini-series and a now-lost 1920 silent version.
As the film's release approaches, Haworth prepares for continued interest from both traditional literary tourists and the new generation of social media documentarians, all seeking to experience the landscape that inspired one of English literature's most enduring love stories.
