scenic

EY up . . .  Heathcliff is not the only mysterious, brooding beast in Yorkshire.

The scenery provides just as much drama as the Wuthering Heights character.

With the recent film adaptation of Emily Bronte’s novel — starring ­Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi — the Yorkshire Dales is once again teeming with yearning Cathys and brooding young Heathcliffs.

And there I was too, like a budget Cathy, if she wore Gore-Tex and hiking boots rather than a generous bustle.

Largely shot on location in the Yorkshire Dales National Park — amid the landcapes of Swaledale and Arkengarthdale valleys and the peaceful village of Low Row — the movie shines a well-deserved spotlight on this glorious corner of England.

With its scarred limestone hills, scattered with rocks, and rolling green pastures, criss-crossed with drystone walls and peppered with honeyed-stone villages, this region is the picture of a period drama.

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While the rain barely lets up in the movie, Yorkshire welcomes me with beautiful blue skies, sunshine and even a light dusting of snow on the hills.

I’m almost disappointed.

I’ve brought along my own Heathcliff, my partner Toby, and my dog, Miss Babs, who loves a good romp across the moors.

We’re staying in Settle, a cute little market town in the heart of Bronte Country near the southern entrance of the National Park.

After the long journey, we hunker down with the first of many pints of local Thwaites ale in The Golden Lion – a coaching inn in the centre of town and our base for the weekend.

Rooms are cosy and comfy with a modern country feel.

Settle is a popular base for walkers.

Nearby is Ribblesdale, probably the best known walking area in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, not least for those conquering the Yorkshire Three Peaks — Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent.

As keen but fair-weather walkers, we opt for an easy route along the River Ribble, which still offers some spectacular views across the Dales.

Unlike in the 18th century, there’s no need to ride a bumpy old stagecoach around these parts.

Settle is the starting point of England’s most scenic railway journey.

Celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, the Settle–Carlisle Railway soars over viaducts and through heather-filled moorlands.

There are numerous stops on the 72-mile route, including the magnificent Ribblehead Viaduct, which has 24 arches.

It’s a bargain at £4.60 for a single journey.

We stayed on until Dent, the highest railway station in England, and walked part of the Dales Way, which runs from Ilkley to Lake Windermere, stopping for a pint (OK, three) at the Sportsman Inn before wobbling back for the train.

Back at the The Golden Lion, it’s time for dinner.

Choices include fat steaks (from £18.50), beer-battered fish and chips (£18.50) and Settle pudding, a traditional suet pudding oozing with steak and ale, which Toby gazes at with the lustful look of Heathcliff.

On Sunday morning, the weather turns moody.

After a hearty Yorkshire breakfast, we drive five miles to Malham, a fine village with several easy-to-access walks.

We take a muddy trudge up to Malham Cove – a natural limestone amphitheatre – and then to Gordale Scar, a towering limestone gorge with a gushing waterfall, which featured in Netflix drama, The Witcher.

Dark, damp and deliciously Gothic, it’s a fitting end to our Wuthering Heights weekend.

Breathtaking countryside views make this village feel like you’ve stepped onto a film set – and foodies will love the Michelin Guide-listed restaurant in this tiny hamlet

For such a tiny hamlet, this stunning Lancashire village packs a mighty punch. Located roughly three miles from the thriving market town of Clitheroe, this charming village is enveloped by spectacular countryside vistas across Lancashire’s renowned Ribble Valley, transporting visitors into what feels like a scene from a picturesque film.

Its remarkable location cannot be overstated – nestled at the meeting point of two significant Lancashire waterways: the River Ribble and River Hodder. Indeed, the village derives its name from Old English, reflecting its position as a settlement at the “mythe”, meaning “confluence” or “junction” of two streams.

Great Mitton, alongside its neighbouring village (officially a civil parish) Little Mitton, occupies fewer than 2,000 acres within the Forest of Bowland, establishing it as the smallest township in the Forest, reports Lancs Live.

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Things to do in Mitton

Housed within a magnificently restored 19th-century building, The Three Fishes now operates as a farm-to-fork restaurant at the heart of Great Mitton and has been described as “outstanding” by customers who have experienced the venue.

Led by Michelin-starred chef Nigel Haworth, The Three Fishes has garnered numerous accolades throughout the years and maintains an impressive 4.4 rating out of five on Tripadvisor.

Diners consistently sing the praises of both the cuisine and service at this establishment. So impressive is the offering that it has secured a coveted spot on the Michelin Guide restaurant list since 2022, with inspectors deeming it “worthy of a place”.

One Tripadvisor reviewer gushes about The Three Fishes: “Everything about this place is total perfection. Everything. The staff, the service, the atmosphere, the surrounding area, the layout. And, of course, the food is as good as anything I’ve ever experienced. Difficult to imagine how this place could be improved.”

Another jewel in Mitton’s crown, lovingly restored to its former glory, is the magnificent 15th-century manor house, Mitton Hall, which stands majestically on the banks of the River Ribble in the heart of Little Mitton.

Serving dual purposes as both a sought-after wedding venue and a country house hotel, it offers sumptuous accommodation in the scenic Ribble Valley and is adored by locals and tourists in equal measure.

Staying on the Little Mitton side of the river, there’s the celebrated Aspinall Arms, which greets guests with a roaring fire during winter months and a delightful riverside terrace garden come summer – ideal for enjoying a refreshing pint alongside delectable contemporary dishes drawing inspiration from British classics and “exotic global influences”.

This 19th-century coaching inn boasts views of the beloved All Hallows Church and Mitton Hall, making it a favourite haunt for ramblers, cyclists and their four-legged companions.

One delighted guest remarked about the Aspinall Arms: “We’ve been to the Aspinall Arms twice now, both times following a hike in the Ribble Valley. The first visit we just had drinks, but were really impressed with the pub and its outdoor area. Immaculately maintained, the beer garden is substantial in size and offers some beautiful river views!

“On our second visit, we again intended just to pop in for a riverside view drink in the sunshine, but having perused the menu decided to have a meal also! Considering we only popped in for a drink, we ended up spending three hours in the Aspinall Arms and had a great time.”

Another must-see attraction in the picturesque hamlet of Great Mitton is All Hallows Church, formerly called the Church of St Michael. Constructed during the 13th century, the building underwent significant modifications and extensions throughout the 15th and 16th centuries.

All Hallows Church contains the burial sites of the renowned Shireburne of Stonyhurst family and has held Grade I listed status from English Heritage since 1954. The church also boasts the magnificent Shireburn Chapel and is thoroughly worth exploring.

Edisford Bridge, a Grade II listed structure dating back to medieval times, represents another essential sight in Mitton. Constructed from sandstone and incorporating four arches with cutwaters, Edisford Bridge has earned recognition as a scheduled monument.

Another bridge of note (and scheduled monument) is the Grade II Listed Old Bridge, which dates from 1562. Now no longer in use, it’s constructed from sandstone and spans the River Hodder.

The Mitton Bridge represents another striking landmark, probably built during the 19th century and likewise fashioned from sandstone with Grade II listed status.

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