Find literary history and wiley, windy moors in this picture-book Yorkshire village
Yorkshire brags some of the UK’s finest scenery. It’s so fine in fact, that the county’s wild moors and rolling hills have inspired some of our beloved literary minds, and Haworth in the South Pennines was once home to some of the most famous.
Tucked away in this tiny hilltop village is the former home of the Brontës sisters, but it’s hardly surprising this place has been the basis of so many works of literature – it looks like it fell out of a picture book. But while this is certainly one for the bookworms, you’ll still love it here if you haven’t picked up something to read in a while – this place is steam trains and quaint cafés and wholesome vibes galore. So, here are the best things to do in Haworth.
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With its cobbled streets, antique stores and old-school shop fronts, you might feel as if you’ve wandered on to a 1940s film set. Visit the Victorian-style Cabinet of Curiosities, before spotting vintage steam trains at Haworth station where ‘The Railway Children’ was filmed.
Fuel a sugar high with a trip to Mrs Beightons Sweet Shop and And Chocolate on Haworth’s hilly Main Street. Embrace the village’s retro feel with clothes and collectables at Oh La La Vintage.
For a true taste of Yorkshire hospitality, head to the friendly Fleece Inn. Order homemade pies, Whitby scampi or their seriously tasty lobsterand-crab burger. Still peckish? Settle in for a delicious hot chocolate at Cobbles & Clay.
If you fancy a breather from walking all those cobbled streets then soak up the lovely Central Park, a nine acre Green Flag winning spot.
Channel your inner Kate Bush with a hike on the moody moorlands surrounding Haworth (flowing red dress optional). Follow footpaths out of the village across wild and rocky terrain to pretty Brontë Waterfall and ruined farmhouse Top Withens, which is said to have inspired the gothic setting for Emily Brontë’s ‘Wuthering Heights’.
There’s no shortage of quaint pubs here. Grab a real ale beside the open fire in Haworth Old Hall. It’s one of the oldest watering holes in the village, dating back to the seventeenth century. For country-luxe vibes and an amazing array of gins, head to Georgian gastropub The Hawthorn. Or how about some home grown Yorkshire Gin? If so, swing by Haworth Steam Brewing.
There’s plenty of micro art gallery spaces in Haworth, so if you want to take in a little culture during your trip then why not swing by Hawksbys or Wuthering Arts to check out some work by local artists.
After you’ve spent the day taking in shops, galleries, beautiful scenery and a spot of lunch, you may want to stop for a quick boost. Thankfully there’s plenty of options to pick from in Haworth, including Villette Coffee House and Hunters of Haworth.
If you’re looking for something a little different to do of an evening, then why not explore Haunted Haworth via ghost tour?
You can’t visit Haworth without setting foot inside the Brontë Parsonage Museum. Discover more about the contributions Charlotte, Emily and Anne made to literature via exhibitions inside their imposing former home. The atmospheric house is where the sisters penned their famous novels.
Ponden Mill is a Georgian cotton mill just outside Haworth. You can camp beside the River Worth or stay in the historic building, but for something more unusual, book Falling Water. It’s a little woodland retreat, built by owner Richard and inspired by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s stunning 1935 Pennsylvania house Fallingwater. The wooden cabin sits on a remote hillside beside a stream, which has been teased into a trickling waterfall. Beyond huge 1930s-style windows, you’ll find a copper log burner and a bed right next to the water. Talk about getting back to nature.
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