Beautiful but mysterious widow Helen Graham and her young son Arthur take up residence in the almost derelict Wildfell Hall. She is befriended by young local farmer Gilbert Markham, but refuses to tell him about her past.

Helen decides to open up to Gilbert and entrusts him with her diary. He learns about the sad truth about her life, including her meeting and nuptials to notorious rake Arthur Huntingdon. The breakdown of her marriage is also revealed.

Huntingdon abducts young Arthur, forcing Helen to return to him. Despite his rakish and dissolute behaviour, she nurses him until his death. Following this, Helen reunites with Gilbert, and they wed.