Have you ever heard of Wuthering Heights? Jane Eyre? Agnes Gray (sic)?
These immortal novels were written by the famous literary sisters Emily, Charlotte, and Anne Brontë during the Victorian era of Britain.
The sisters were born in Thornton, Bradford but grew up in the quaint village of Haworth, just 10km away. The building in which they grew up, Brontë Parsonage, is now a museum and home to the world’s largest collection of original Brontë memorabilia, including Charlotte’s honeymoon dress and childhood paintbox.
Besides the Parsonage, there are plenty of other historical sites related to the Brontë family. Located in the same area is Haworth Parish Church, where their father, Patrick Brontë, was a parish minister for 41 years. The church, which is free to visit, also houses the Brontë chapel and the crypt where some of the Brontë family is buried.
There is also the Haworth Old School Room where the whole family taught local school children. The building was also the venue for Charlotte and Arthur Bell Nicholls’ wedding.
For those with the energy, a walk through the beautiful countryside up to the Brontë Waterfall and onto Top Withens is a must. Top Withens is an abandoned farmhouse often associated with Wuthering Heights. While its direct connection to the novel has been debunked, the moors where the farmhouse is located likely inspired the novels of all three sisters.
Other than Brontë history, the village is famous for its steep cobbled road, home to numerous independent shops selling everything from arts, crafts, and handmade chocolate to nostalgic candy, as well as plenty of traditional pubs, cafes, and restaurants. (Ryan Ettenfield)
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