Discover the best of Brontë Country with this must-follow itinerary to witness the places that shaped the works of the famous Brontë sisters.
Every reader knows the Brontë sisters. Renowned for writing some of the greatest novels ever published, they gave the world literary classics like Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre. These incredible works continue to earn a place on our bookshelves and will for generations to come.
Given that these ladies grew up in Haworth, West Yorkshire, the area has become a major literary tourism destination. Many venture here to retrace the sisters’ footsteps and discover the landscapes and landmarks that shaped their stories.
If you have the Brontë Country pilgrimage on your book-cation list, this article is for you! We’ve created an itinerary that you can follow, with all of the most important locations connected to the Brontë sisters.
Haworth
Haworth was the home of the Brontë sisters in the early 1800s. Back then, it was a very different place when the sisters were growing up. Disease was rampant, and the village was severely overcrowded as people flocked there to work in the local mills.
Today, Haworth attracts thousands of tourists every year on literary road trips around the UK, drawn by its Victorian character, quaint brick buildings, cobbled streets, and abundance of bookshops. It also serves as the ideal starting point for your Brontë journey, as many of the key locations on this list are best accessed from here.
Brontë Parsonage Museum
The Brontë Parsonage Museum is one of the most important sites along this route. Between 1820 and 1861, it was the Brontë sisters’ home, but has since been transformed into a museum dedicated to retelling their story.
Filled with unique exhibits, the museum allows visitors to step into their world and see what their everyday life was like back then. A noteworthy display that many enjoy is the recreation of the room where the sisters wrote many of their works.
Address: Church St, Haworth, Haworth, Keighley BD22 8DR, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday and Wednesday to Sunday: 10AM – 5PM
– Tuesday: Closed
Haworth Parish Church
If you’re going to swing by the place where it all started for the Brontë sisters on your readaway, you might as well visit where their story ended as well.
At Haworth Parish Church, you’ll find the resting place of many members of the family, including Charlotte, Emily, Branwell, and Patrick Brontë. It was also once the church where their father, Patrick, served as the parish minister and was highly respected during his reign.
Throughout the church complex, you can admire the chapel dedicated to the family, a display featuring Charlotte Brontë and Arthur Bell Nicholls’s marriage certificate, and much more. You don’t want to miss it!
Address: Church St, Haworth, Keighley BD22 8DP, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Wednesday and Friday to Sunday: 10AM – 4PM
– Thursday: 10AM – 8:30PM
The Village of Cowan Bridge
Those who have read Jane Eyre will be familiar with the village of Cowan Bridge. This is where the school attended by several of the Brontë sisters, including Elizabeth, Charlotte, Maria, and Emily, once stood and is thought to have inspired Lowood School in Jane Eyre.
Although the school is long gone, the building that housed the Clergy Daughters’ School is still standing strong. Life here was far from pleasant during the sisters’ time. Between widespread disease that contributed to the deaths of some of the sisters and the harsh treatment they experienced, the site offers an important insight into what the situation was like during that period.
Address: 2 Bronte Cottages, Cowan Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale, Carnforth LA6 2HS, United Kingdom
Ponden Hall
Long associated with Thrushcross Grange in Wuthering Heights, Ponden Hall holds a special place in the hearts of Brontë fans. It was reported that, at the beginning of the 19th century, this place had the largest private library in all of Yorkshire. Emily, in particular, had a strong interest in the hall, having visited it on numerous occasions. Considering the role the hall played in Emily’s life, it’s unsurprising that it’s closely linked with her famed work.
Address: Ponden Ln, Keighley BD22 0HR, United Kingdom
Wycoller Hall
As you continue your literary travel getaway, your next stop should be the 16th-century Wycoller Hall, which many believe was where Charlotte Brontë got the idea for Ferndean Manor in the novel Jane Eyre. There have been reports that Charlotte liked to walk around this area, especially when she traveled to Gawthorpe Hall, so she would have encountered Wycoller Hall on numerous occasions.
Wycoller Hall itself was constructed by the Hartley family, but Squire Henry Owen Cunliffe, who was seeking a financially secure partner at the time, later developed it. All that remains of the site now are the ruins of the structure, which sit beside the peaceful Wycoller Beck.
Address: Wycoller Hall, Colne BB8 8SY, United Kingdom
Haworth Moor
Tucked away on the outskirts of Haworth, there’s a stunning outdoor area called Haworth Moor, which is a popular walking trail covering around 7.7 km. But it’s not just any place; it’s often cited as the spot where Cathy and Heathcliff used to meet amid the dreamy Brontë country landscapes in Emily’s Wuthering Heights.
The Haworth Moor walk is by no means an easy one. It can be a strenuous trek if you’re not used to hiking; however, you’ll be treated to magnificent scenery right the way through. Just make sure you pack for all types of weather, as conditions can change at little notice.
Address: Moorside Ln, Oxenhope, Haworth, Keighley BD22 9RF, United Kingdom
Bonus Stop: St Mary’s Church, Scarborough
No Brontë trip would be complete without considering a detour to St Mary’s Church in Scarborough. What makes this place particularly interesting is that it is where Anne Brontë is buried, the only one of the sisters not laid to rest in Haworth.
Anne had strong links to Scarborough, having spent several years working there as a governess before eventually being buried in the town she had grown so fond of. As you arrive at St Mary’s Church, head to the northern part of the grounds to see her grave.
Address: St Mary’s Church, Castle Rd, Scarborough YO11 1TH, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Wednesday: 10AM – 12PM
– Sunday: 9AM – 1PM
– Monday, Tuesday and Thursday to Saturday: Closed
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Adam Ryan
Adam is a distinguished content writer, bookworm, and full-time adventurer with a constant craving for coffee. When he's not working, he loves exploring remote corners of the world, immersing himself in different cultures, and writing about his experiences.
