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Haworth Village in West Yorkshire is known as the Brontë Village as its where the three Brontë sisters and their family lived in the parsonage here.
There are many buildings and places in Haworth that the sisters had connections to and are thought to have inspired their most famous literary works.
You can visit their old parsonage which is now a museum, the church that their father served at, and even visit the moorland that inspired Wuthering Heights!
As a huge lover of all three Brontë sister’s books, I just had to see these places for myself in Brontë Country.
Here is a complete guide for the Haworth Brontë village and some of the best Brontë things to do in Haworth!
What is Brontë Country & Haworth Brontë village?
Brontë Country is a name given to an area of West Yorkshire in the South Pennines where the Brontë sisters were inspired by and wrote their most famous literary works.
They are Charlotte Brontë who wrote Jane Eyre, Emily Brontë who wrote Wuthering Heights, and Anne Brontë who wrote The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.
At the heart of Brontë Country, you’ll find the picturesque village of Haworth where the Brontë sisters and family used to live. Hence the nickname ‘Brontë Village’!
What is the Haworth Brontë connection?
In 1820 Patrick Brontë, an Irish Anglican priest, moved to Haworth to become the perpetual curate at St Michael and All Angels Church. The Brontë family lived in a parsonage behind the church.
His wife Maria Branwell died of cancer a year later and so the Brontë children were left to be looked after by her sister Elizabeth Branwell.
Many people often forget that it was not just three sisters that belonged to the Brontë family. There were actually five sisters, the eldest being Maria and Elizabeth but both died quite young of tuberculosis whilst at boarding school.
After this, Patrick removed Charlotte from boarding school and home-schooled her with his two younger daughters, Anne and Emily.
They also had one brother Branwell Brontë, an artist and writer, who died aged 31 from tuberculosis, most likely brought on by opiates and alcoholism.
Despite the Brontë sisters being talented writers, they would also die very young. Anne was the youngest and died of tuberculosis at age 29. Emily died of the same at age 30.
In fact, all the Brontë children died tragically at a very young age. Charlotte was the eldest surviving sibling but she died suddenly a year after her marriage at 38 while pregnant with her first child.
Patrick Brontë outlived them all until the ripe old age of 84 and his parsonage is now a museum dedicated to the entire family.
Today, Haworth village is known as the Brontë village and you must visit to see where the Brontë sisters grew up and wrote their novels.
You’ll find no end of Brontë attractions all over the village and beyond in this area known as Brontë Country!
Brontë things to do in Haworth Village
So, if you were looking for some things to do related to the Brontë Sisters here in Haworth you’ll be spoiled for choice!
The entire village and the countryside surrounding it have connections to all three sisters. Plus, the village is proud of its most famous residents in Brontë Country with celebratory events throughout the year!
Here is a complete list of all the Brontë things to do in Haworth Village.
1. Visit the Brontë Parsonage Museum
One of the most important Brontë attractions in Haworth has to be the Brontë Parsonage Museum.
Patrick Brontë, their father, became a perpetual curate at St Michael and All Angels Church. So, in 1820, the family moved to the parsonage and it was to become the Brontë family home.
After Patrick Brontë’s death in 1861, the house was preserved by the Brontë Society and was transformed into a writer’s house museum dedicated to the Brontë sisters.
Today, you can visit to see where all three sisters grew up. Many of the family rooms, study, and kitchens have been preserved exactly as they would have looked while they were alive!
The Brontë family rooms
The first part of the Brontë Parsonage Museum is a tour of some of the family living quarters.
Many of the rooms have been left exactly as they looked while the Brontë family were living here and the items on display would have been used by the family too.
Although the sisters had a good standing in the village they were not gentry. They had a maid but they would be involved in cooking and cleaning around the household too in between writing!
As you make your way up the staircase, you’ll find a rare portrait of the three sisters together with Branwell who is in shadow (presumably denoting his early death).
You’ll find their old bedrooms, a workshop where they used to sketch and paint, and a display of some of their dresses too!
It felt surreal to peer into the personal lives of these talented young women who wrote some of the most famous novels in English literature.
The Brontë Museum
Once you’ve left the family rooms, you’ll enter the museum exhibition. It has many informative displays that tell the story of the Brontë Family.
Here you’ll learn of their stories and the tragic events in their lives that inspired some of their Gothic novels.
For example, Charlotte Brontë’s novel ‘Jane Eyre’ was inspired by her own bad experiences at boarding school. Her mistreatment here had a huge effect on her health and growth. Her two elder sisters, Maria and Elizabeth, died of tuberculosis shortly after arriving at the school.
They also have many original copies of their literary works on display. Even miniature novels were created by the Brontë sisters!
You’ll find old writing ledgers, Charlotte Brontë’s wedding bonnet, and her mourning veil and gloves that she wore to her sister’s funeral.
After you’ve explored the museum, you must pay a visit to their parsonage gift shop. As well as selling copies of the Brontë sisters works, there are mugs, tea towels, artwork and a whole host of Brontë themed gifts to take home.
It’s one of the most important Brontë attractions in Haworth and a must-visit for any Brontë fan while you’re here!
Click here to book tickets for the Brontë Parsonage Museum!
2. Haworth Old School Room
Just outside of the Brontë Parsonage Museum, you’ll find the Haworth Old School Room down the cobbled and narrow Church Lane. This is another Brontë thing to do in Haworth!
This building was built by Patrick Brontë in 1832 and it is known that all his talented children taught lessons here.
This building also hosted the after-party of Charlotte Brontë and Arthur Bell Nicoll’s wedding in 1854. You can plan your own wedding celebrations here if you felt so inclined.
It closed as a school in 1903 when it was replaced by a public school. But, it is now one of the most important buildings in the Haworth community that holds events, gym classes, and youth clubs throughout the year!
You cannot go inside as a tourist attraction but there are regular events where they open their doors to the public.
3. St Michael & All Angels Church
Another one of the important Brontë things to do in Haworth is to visit St Michael & All Angels Church.
Patrick Brontë, father to the Brontë children, was the parish priest for Haworth and so he would hold services at Haworth Church just behind the parsonage.
It’s a beautiful and peaceful place to visit throughout the day and they have a small exhibition about Patrick Brontë and the Brontë children.
Charlotte Brontë was married here to Arthur Bell Nicolls who was the church assistant curate in the village.
You can see their marriage records from their wedding day here in 1854. She was 37 at the time and her wedding bonnet is on display at the Brontë Parsonage Museum.
4. See the marker for the Brontë tomb
All of the Brontë family are buried beneath St Micheal’s & All Angels Church save for Anne Brontë who was buried in Scarborough where she died of tuberculosis.
Although Patrick Brontë was the proud father of many talented children, tragically he outlived them all! Death and grief were to be a constant theme in the Brontë family.
The Brontë sister’s mother, Maria, is buried in the vault along with his two eldest daughters of Maria and Elizabeth Brontë. His sister-in-law Emily Branwell and his only son Branwell Brontë. Plus, Charlotte and Emily Brontë.
Patrick Brontë, despite being the oldest, was buried in the tomb last! There were no other Brontë’s after him. There is a small plaque in the church that marks out the location of the Brontë Vault on your visit.
5. Brontë Graves at Haworth cemetery
As well as the Brontë tomb, there are a few notable Brontë graves you can find in Haworth cemetery.
The Brown Family memorial is dedicated to John Brown who was a close friend of Branwell Brontë. His sister, Martha Brown, is also buried here who served at the Parsonage.
You can also find Tabby’s Grave or, Tabitha Akroyd, who was the Brontë Parsonage’s faithful servant for over 30 years! She died aged 84 and is buried at the bottom of the parsonage garden.
If you walk towards the back of the cemetery you’ll find the site of an old gate used by the Brontë Family to access the churchyard.
6. Explore the Haworth Main Street
Beyond the Brontë Parsonage Museum, one of the things I wanted to do most was to see the iconic views over Haworth Main Street!
Standing at the top of the steep cobbled hill lined with boutiques, you can see for miles over the countryside.
As well as admiring the views, there are plenty of shops that you can explore on your visit. There are charity shops, bookshops, jewellers, bakeries, and plenty more.
If you went to the Brontë Parsonage Museum you may have noticed their Grandfather Clock. This was made by Barraclough of Haworth and the old Brontë clockmaker used to live on this High Street!
His shop is now called The Hawthorn which is a Georgian-themed pub you can escape into throughout the day. Click here to visit their website.
7. Visit the Black Bull Inn
One of the most popular pubs in Haworth has to be the Black Bull Inn that stands at the top of Haworth Main Street.
It has a history dating back to the 16th-century as a coaching inn where travellers and their horses would take a rest for the night.
Today, it is famous for being frequented by Branwell Brontë despite his father being the parish priest at the parsonage!
According to the pub, when his father and sisters were worried about him getting too drunk they would send someone to find him here. But, Branwell would make his escape through the kitchen window and across the graveyard to sneak back into his room.
The Black Bull Inn serves up food and drink throughout the day and they also have four cosy guest rooms if you wanted to spend the night. Click here to check out their website.
8. Shop at the Cabinet of Curiosities
One of my favourite shops in Haworth has to be the incredible Cabinet of Curiosities shop that is located at the top of Haworth Main Street.
Although not a Brontë attraction perse, It feels like you’re stepping back in time to their era with all the Dark Academia and Victorian decor. Once upon a time, it used to be a Victorian druggist and apothecary shop!
As soon as you step inside you’ll also be greeted by the most incredible smells from their homemade candles, perfumes, lotions, and oils.
I could have spent all day smelling their candles as they were incredible! They have the most incredible names like Sea Witch, Faerie Queene, Woodland Witch, and Starry Night.
They also sell all sorts of books and paraphernalia, so it’s worth having a nose around to see what you can find.
Click here to check out their website
9. Have a Brontë Beer at the Kings Arms
If you were looking for a place to grab a pint, why not head into the King’s Arms? It has a history dating back to the 17th century and the innkeeper, Enoch Thomas, was a good friend of Branwell Brontë.
Behind the bar they have a series of Brontë themed beers you can try! Each of the ales is called ‘Anne’, ‘Charlotte’, ‘Emily’ or ‘Branwell’. They are an extremely popular choice and I heard that a pint of Charlotte is very nice.
As well as the beers, the pub serves up a hearty menu of locally inspired dishes throughout the day.
10. Walk the Brontë Trail on the moors
Another one of the top Brontë things to do in Haworth is to escape the village and onto the Haworth Moor.
This is where you can truly experience Brontë Country and see the landscapes that inspired the Brontë sisters to write their famous Gothic novels and poetry.
The Brontë Trail will take you from the Brontë Parsonage Museum along the path to Peniston Hill Country Park, onwards to the Brontë Waterfall, and then finally Top Withens that inspired Wuthering Heights!
This trail will be the exact route that the Brontë sisters would have taken to explore the countryside from their parsonage. It’s easy to go self-guided but the museum does have a trail leaflet you can buy.
It’s a gorgeous walk where you can see the heather on the moors for miles and you can just imagine Heathcliff and Cathy running around here. The more windswept and moody the day the better.
11. Visit the Brontë Waterfall
One of the top highlights of the Brontë Trail is making a stop at the Brontë Waterfall which is around 2 miles walk from the village.
Although not dramatic by any means, it’s a scenic cascade that the Brontë sisters would regularly visit throughout the year. In Charlotte Brontë’s diary, she speaks of visiting in winter to see the heavy roar of the cascades in the snow.
It’s a lovely place to stop in the summer and you can explore the old clapper bridge called the Brontë Bridge here.
There’s also the Brontë Chair where the sisters were thought to have shared stories with each other and a poem plaque that has been placed on the rocks nearby.
Even if you don’t go to Top Withens, this short walk is a must for any Brontë fan!
Click here to read my complete guide for the Brontë Waterfall
12. Climb up to Top Withens
So, once you’ve spent some time at the Brontë waterfall, you can then make your way up to Top Withens from here. It’s one of the top Brontë things to do in Haworth!
Top Withens is the location, high up on the moor, that inspired Emily Brontë to write Wuthering Heights so it’s a must-visit if you’re a fan.
It’s the desolate ruins of an old farmhouse that overlooks the moors and it does look like it could transport you straight to the pages of Heathcliff and Cathy!
There is a small plaque outside the ruins that reads;
“This farmhouse has been associated with “Wuthering Heights”, the Earnshaw home in Emily Brontë’s novel. The buildings, even when complete, bore no resemblance to the house she described, but the situation may have been in her mind when she wrote of the moorland setting of the Heights”
If you cross over the Brontë Bridge, you’ll see a gate with a sign pointing upwards to Top Withens.
It’s around another mile from the waterfall so should take another hour. But, I have heard it’s mostly uphill and can be challenging – so come prepared with good footwear!
13. Make a stop at Ponden Hall & Wuthering Heights pub
Another Wuthering Heights inspiration near Haworth is Ponden Hall which was a place that Emily Brontë visited often.
It’s a farmhouse near Stanbury and is thought to have inspired Thrushcross Grange, the home of the Linton Family in her novel. However, like Top Withens, the description in the novel doesn’t quite fit.
Others believe that Ponden Hall was actually an inspiration for Wildfell Hall of Anne Brontë’s The Tenant of Wildfell Hall due to the description matching the dwelling perfectly.
It used to be a Bed & Breakfast you could stay in but it was recently listed for sale and is now privately owned. However, you can take a quick peek!
Nearby, you’ll find the famous Wuthering Heights pub that is near to the Haworth Moorland. It’s the perfect place to stop for a drink or meal after your hike to Top Withens!
15. Stop at East Riddlesden Hall – Wuthering Heights filming location!
Although not technically related to the Brontë Sisters, fans of the ITV adaptation of Wuthering Heights (2009) will be very interested to visit East Riddlesden Hall near Haworth.
I mean who could make a better brooding Heathcliff than the smouldering Tom Hardy?!
The Gothic East Riddlesden Hall is featured as Wuthering Heights where Heathcliff and Cathy grow up in the mini-series.
Fans will be pleased that this is a National Trust property so you can visit all year and guided tours of the house take place throughout the day!
Although the TV show makes this house looks desolate, located high up on the moor, it’s actually located near a busy town with lots of infrastructure.
So, if you weren’t driving, you can easily visit here from Keighley via the KWVR Steam railway or get a bus from Haworth to the hall.
Click here to check for the latest opening times & prices
14. Take the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
If you wanted to travel to Haworth in style, then I would recommend booking a journey on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway!
It’s a heritage steam train that travels 5-miles through Brontë country from Keighley to Oxenhope and back. It first opened in 1867.
Although this line didn’t exist at the time they were alive, the Brontë sisters were big fans of railway travel.
According to Charlotte Brontë’s letters in Elizabeth Gaskell’s ‘The Life of Charlotte Bronte’ she would meet her friends at Keighley station and have to make a long walk back to Haworth!
You can experience what it would have been like to travel by steamer all those years ago. You can book a singular journey or a rover ticket to travel freely at any stops you want.
Click here to book your KWVR steam train journey!
16. Attend the Haworth Victorian Weekend
Each year in December, you can attend the annual Haworth Victorian Weekend which would be perfect for fans of the Brontë Sisters.
The village transforms into a Dickensian delight where you can dress up in Victorian garb, attend carol concerts and go shopping on Main Street.
On Christmas Eve, the Brontë Parsonage holds tours of the museum in candlelight and they dress the whole place up for Yuletide.
On Christmas Day, they have a Brontë puppet theatre and you can attend a Brontë Christmas Service in Haworth Church too.
Where to eat in Haworth
If you were looking for places to eat in Haworth you’ll be spoiled for choice, there are plenty of independent pubs and restaurants to choose from.
But, if you were looking for a breakfast or lunch option, I would highly recommend the cosy Cobbles & Clay Café located on Haworth main street. They are a coffee shop, deli, and pottery painting workshop.
I stopped in here for breakfast and I loved their variety of choice. They have Full English, all types of eggs, pancakes, and children’s breakfast options. Plus, they have lots of vegan and vegetarian options available too.
Click here to book a table at Cobbles & Clay website for a menu
How to visit Haworth Brontë village
The Haworth Brontë village is tucked away in Keighley in West Yorkshire in the north of England.
A convenient way to visit is to drive and Brontë country is around an hour’s drive from Harrogate and a 30-minute drive from Bradford.
If you’re not driving, Haworth does have regular bus services that run from Bradford to the village.
Haworth doesn’t have a regular train station that is serviced by National Rail. The closest train station is Keighley.
But, you could visit Haworth on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway that is a steam train service that runs from Keighley to Oxenhope.
Haworth Village postcode is Haworth, Keighley, BD22 8DR. Click here for a Google Pin!
Haworth parking
There are plenty of places to park in Haworth for your visit to the Brontë village. But, it entirely depends on what you want to visit while you’re here.
Personally, I would recommend parking at the top end of Haworth Main Street as it’s quite a big climb up the hill otherwise. All the Brontë attractions in Haworth are located in this area.
I personally parked up at the Brontë Parsonage Museum car park which is just behind the museum itself. Over three hours parking here is £4.
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Save these Brontë things to do in Haworth for later!
