If you’ve just watched Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of the Emily Bronte classic, you might now be wondering where the new Wuthering Heights was filmed. I was thinking the same thing as I watched the trailer a few weeks ago. So I decided to find out. I wrote all about exploring the Wuthering Heights film locations for The Independent. But here I break down the route in more detail so that you can follow it yourself. 

Where was Wuthering Heights filmed?

Wuthering Heights was filmed in the Yorkshire Dales National Park in the limestone valleys of Arkengathdale and Swaledale. It is a beautiful area to explore at any time of year. However, public transport can be quite limited, so I would recommend having a car to get between the various Wuthering Heights filming locations.

It is also worth remembering that the weather in the Yorkshire Dales can change quickly, so be prepared. Sensible walking boots and waterproofs are strongly recommended and I found walking poles to be very useful in the muddy areas too.

How to visit the Wuthering Heights filming locations

It is possible to see the main Wuthering Heights filming locations in one day. In total I visited six different places, driving between each one. Here’s how I did it:

Stop One: Reeth 

Although no filming actually took place in the pretty cobbledstoned village of Reeth, it was used as a base camp by some members of the production team. The village also featured in All Creatures Great and Small and is a good place to start your exploring.

It has a very helpful tourist information centre and the Two Dales Bakery is a nice spot to start your day. Alternatively, if you’re visiting later on, there is a cute Ice Cream Parlour overlooking the green, which serves locally made ice cream.

Next take an 8 minute drive to Langthwaite

Stop Two: Booze Moor

In the nearby village of Langthwaite, park in the carpark and then climb the steep hill behind The Red Lion Inn. Turn left and you’ll be on a bridleway which crosses Booze Moor, where some of the remote moorland scenes were filmed. Expect stunning views of the surrounding valleys on a good day – or an eerie atmosphere if the mists have come down like when I visited.

Now make a 12 minute drive to Surrender Bridge. These is a small carpark just over the bridge where you can park if you are planning to walk to Old Gang Smelt Mill.

Stop Three: Surrender Bridge 

This bridge is a popular viewpoint, crossing the Old Gang Beck. Again, it featured in the opening credits of All Creatures Great and Small, so might be a familiar sight to some visitors.

Stop Four: The Old Gang Smelt Mill 

The most identifiable of the Wuthering Height film locations, the Old Gang Smelt Mill can be accessed along a stony bridleway and is signposted. The 20 minute walk alongside the beck is beautiful on a sunny day and moody and mysterious on a misty one.

When I visited there was snow on the ground and it was very foggy, which made creeping around the site feel very eerie. You can see why it made such a great film location. Although apparently the crew experienced unseasonably warm weather when they filmed last March and had to bring in their own smoke machines to create the atmosphere!

The mill was built around 1846 and processed lead ore from local mine workings using water power and peat as fuel. The mill ceased operations between 1899 and 1903, after falling lead prices led to its decline. 

The derelict site is now a Scheduled Monument and includes a tall square chimney and the remains of a main building, with hearths, a miners’ hut, and a bridge. Visitors are asked not to touch, sit, walk or climb on the ruins or to remove anything from the site.

Drive 10 minutes to the village of Low Row.

Stop Five: Low Row 

Low Row was another of the picturesque villages in the region where some of the production crew stayed. Pop into the friendly Punch Bowl Inn for a bite to eat at the same place where Margot Robbie was spotted having lunch during filming.

Now drive a final 27 minutes to Simonstone Hall.

Stop Six: Simonstone Hall

Simonstone Hall is the beautiful country house hotel where Wuthering Heights film director Emerald Fennell and stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi stayed during their time in the area. 

Visitors are welcome to pop in for a coffee or afternoon tea.

Is it worth visiting the Wuthering Heights filming locations?

If you love the dramatic landscape of the Wuthering Heights film, then it is definitely worth visiting some of the locations where filming took place. Bear in mind that a lot of props were brought into the area by the production crew, so many places will still look different in the film. 

If you only have time to visit one place, I would recommend the Old Gang Smelting Mill, as this is the most recognisable location.

Personally, I loved exploring the area. As I visited during the winter months, it definitely gave me the Wuthering Heights drama I was looking for. 

If you’re keen to explore more of Yorkshire, Brimham Rocks is a very cool place to visit or check out some of my favourite things to do in Scarborough with kids. Plus, if you want to learn about one of Yorkshire’s quirky traditions, read about Skipping Day in Scarborough.