As we very well know, “Wuthering Heights”, the newest Emily Brontë adaptation (we use this lightly) starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, is set for UK release this week – and we’re poised for a Valentine’s weekend steeped in epic passion, intensity and gothic romance. The bold new adaptation promises a modern re-imagining of Emily Brontë’s classic tale of obsessive love, wild emotion and dramatic landscapes, and we can in fact recreate this for ourselves – what’s more, we can get there by train.
The film‘s release taps into a broader cultural revival of gothic and romantic storytelling, with audiences embracing darker, more atmospheric narratives across film, books and social platforms. Against this backdrop, Trainline is spotlighting rail‑accessible destinations across the UK that echo the dramatic spirit of Wuthering Heights, Frankenstein and the wider gothic romance conversation – from rugged countryside to historic cities and even a playful modern‑day twist closer to home.
Sarah Helppi, UK Country Director for Trainline, said: “With “Wuthering Heights” landing on Valentine’s weekend and gothic romance having a real cultural moment, we wanted to highlight destinations that match that mood. From windswept landscapes to atmospheric towns – and even a night out with a twist – the rail network makes it easy to turn screen‑inspired romance into a real‑world escape.”
Train‑accessible Wuthering Heights and gothic romantic escapes from Manchester
Settle – Gateway to the Yorkshire Dales
Using Settle’s characterful market town as a base, walkers can step straight into windswept moorland: open heather, stone walls snaking across the hills, and vast skies that create the same sense of isolation and intensity found in Wuthering Heights.
Accessible via routes from Leeds and Carlisle, Settle station is within a five‑minute walk from the market square and cafés. The start of classic moorland routes lies around 10–15 minutes on foot. Short circular walks lead uphill towards the Hoffmann Kiln, opening out to wide views across Ribblesdale. For more dramatic scenery, walkers can follow the Pennine Bridleway towards Attermire Scar, where limestone cliffs and sweeping valley views echo the wild landscapes associated with the Brontës.
The Settle line even goes through some other Wuthering Heights-adjacent spots, including Keighley, which is the next town over from the Brontës’ place of birth, Haworth. Hop on the train from Manchester Victoria to Leeds, and you can change straight onto the Settle line.
Grosmont – Esk Valley ambience
This small village in the North York Moors National Park sits amid rolling valleys, wooded paths and peaceful stone‑built streets, offering scenic walks through landscapes that echo the wild, romantic spirit associated with Wuthering Heights. The village itself is a charming base for moorland strolls and countryside escapes.
Grosmont is served by regular services on the Esk Valley Line, which runs between Middlesbrough and Whitby. Grosmont station opens directly onto the village, with the river, stone cottages and nearby trailheads all within a two- to five‑minute walk. Riverside paths follow the River Esk through woodland, while longer routes climb steadily out of the village towards open moorland with wide skies and distant views.
The Redcar Central train will get you from Manchester Victoria to Thornaby, just outside Middlesborough, then a trip on the Whitby train will drop you off at Grosmont station.
Skipton – Castle Woods and romantic woodland walks
Skipton’s historic castle and woodland walks blend heritage and moodiness, offering rustic romance on the edge of the Dales. Skipton station is a 12–15 minute walk through the town centre to Skipton Castle Woods, located just behind the historic castle.
A circular woodland route passes beautiful trees, stone steps and a narrow beck, while paths near the castle walls offer elevated views across the woods and town rooftops. Late afternoon light adds a subtle sense of atmosphere, so pay attention to your timings. You can get from Manchester Victoria to Skipton via Leeds fairly easily, with less than an hour on each leg.
Edinburgh – Gothic filming legacy
A little further afield, we present: Edinburgh. From mist‑haunted closes and cobbled Royal Mile streets that were transformed into atmospheric 19th‑century sets for Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein to the shadowed spires and ancient stone of its Old Town, Edinburgh offers romance, mystery and cinematic drama at every turn.
Edinburgh Waverley Station sits directly beneath the Old Town, with the Royal Mile and its network of narrow, alley‑lined streets just a five‑minute walk from the station. The dense stone architecture, steep cobbled passages and closely packed historic buildings give this compact area its distinctive gothic character, all easily explored on foot immediately after arrival.
From Manchester, you’ll usually have to change trains at either York, Glasgow or Doncaster, but sometimes you can be lucky with the odd Manchester Oxford Road to Edinburgh direct train – which takes just over three hours, but what a result.
Whitby – Gothic coast with vampires
Whitby’s dramatic abbey ruins and clifftop views famously inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, making it a favourite for lovers of atmospheric literary and cinematic landscapes. The recent high‑profile film remake of Nosferatu – a gothic horror take on Dracula’s mythos released in 2024 – has reinforced the cultural appetite for shadowy coastlines and eerie settings that echo classic gothic tales.
Trains to Whitby via Middlesbrough or York arrive just a five‑minute walk from the harbour. From the waterfront, the ascent to Whitby Abbey takes around 15–20 minutes via the famous 199 Steps, gradually revealing views over the town and coastline.
You can plan your perfect gothic literary journey via Trainline here.