Haworth Village in West Yorkshire
Visit Haworth Home of the Bronte Sisters and See Places They Knew
Haworth is famous as the home of the Bronte sisters. Discover how to find the places the sisters knew and loved and experience the atmosphere of the wild Yorkshire Moors.
The Pennine village of Haworth, in West Yorkshire, is one of the UK’s top tourist destinations. It’s popular because of its associations with the Bronte sisters, Charlotte, Emily and Anne, who wrote novels during the 19th century.
But is the village just a tourist trap, or is it possible to learn something about how the sisters lived and what inspired their novels?
The Bronte Tourist Trails
There’s little doubt that Haworth is geared for mass tourism with some of the information signs in town being written in Japanese as well as English. And yes, there are several souvenir shops selling everything from Bronte tea towels to copies of the Brontes’ entire written works. Look beyond this, though, and it’s possible to make a visit to Haworth an interesting and worthwhile experience.
Buildings Associated with the Brontes
Top on the list of must-see sites is the Parsonage, behind the church on the main street. This is a stunning dark stone building in a spectacular location fronted by a Victorian graveyard. On a dull day, it’s easy to imagine the three Bronte sisters playing in an upstairs candlelit room, dreaming up the imaginary worlds that were to later feature in their novels.
The Parsonage is furnished as it would have been during Victorian times and there are displays of clothes and stationery which were actually used by the sisters. The on-site shop can be very crowded but is a reliable place to purchase souvenirs and information, as it’s run by the Bronte Society.
The Parish Church, which stands in front of the Parsonage is Victorian, but is not actually the church that the Brontes knew. Its foundation stone was laid in 1879, after the deaths of all three sisters. Part of the church dates to the 15th century and the dark stone of the building is in keeping with surrounding buildings.
Haworth Moor and Top Withins
For real Bronte atmosphere, head out to the moors. Top Withins, a bleak farmhouse some 3 miles (5 kilometres) from the Parsonage is the windswept place that inspired Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights novel. It’s not necessary to go so far out of town to experience the bracing atmosphere. There are dozens of marked footpaths leading out from Haworth centre, including one that runs right past the front of the Parsonage graveyard. Following one of these for even 10 minutes is far enough to get out onto the moors and breathe in the bracing air. The Bronte sisters were keen walkers who ventured out in all weathers and the moorland landscape has changed little since their day.
Make the Most of Your Visit
Haworth is a fascinating and atmospheric place but is perhaps best enjoyed at quieter times, when it’s easier to imagine what life was like for the Bronte sisters in their isolated moorland village. It’s unusual in being one of those places which is actually better in poor weather. Fog, dull skies and even biting winds add to the haunting atmosphere and discourage the less hardy tourists. For those brave enough to stand the elements, the memories will last forever.
Fact File
Haworth is in West Yorkshire, 23 miles (37 kilometres) from Leeds, which is the nearest big city. Leeds/Bradford is the closest airport - tel 0044 113 250 9696
Haworth tourist information centre telephone 01535 642 329
Haworth Parsonage tel 01535 642323
