Visit Haworth: The Ultimate Guide To Yorkshire’s Bronte Village
Surrounded by wild and atmospheric moorland, the charming village of Haworth in West Yorkshire is a place to visit and fall in love with.
Its quaint cobbled main street lined by pretty independent stores make you feel as though you have stepped back in time, and the rough and rugged moorland that surround it makes it a walkers paradise.
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Home to the Bronte sisters, famous English authors, and poets, Haworth village is where Wuthering Heights characters Cathy and Heathcliff were born and where Jane Eyre came to life.
You can almost hear the eerie cries of the ghostly characters as you explore the mystical alleyways and desolate moors. Haworth is a village that truly brings the past to life.
Quick Guide To Visiting Haworth
- When to visit Haworth
- How to get to Haworth
- Where to stay
- Things to do in Haworth
- The Bronte Parsonage
- The Railway Children station
- Walk the wild moorlands
- Go shopping
- Enjoy a guided walk
- Cliffe Castle museum
- East Riddlesdale
- Things to do in Haworth with children
- Events
- Where to eat in Haworth
- What to bring
When To Visit The Village Of Haworth
The seasons in the UK are variable, and the north is particularly well known for being a little temperamental when it comes to the weather!
In summer (roughly July – September) Haworth is alive with activity. You can expect it to be at it’s busiest when the skies are blue and the sun is shining! Summer in the UK is usually warmer than other months, though you still could have the odd rainy day so make sure you come prepared!
The Spring can be gorgeous in the UK, with flowers in full bloom and enough warm days to get outside. You can also get thunderstorms during the Springtime months, and I’ve even seen snow, so if you’re visiting Haworth then, you might want clothes for all weather!
The Autumn is usually a little chilly, with darker evenings. It’s also when the leaves turn red and orange, making it an atmospheric place to be! Bring a coat and enjoy.
In the winter you will find a dark and atmospheric place, with rain-soaked cobbled stones and moody skies, fog-soaked hillsides, and warm crackling pub fires. There really isn’t a bad time of year to visit.
How To Get To Haworth
By Car
To get to Haworth by car (probably the easiest way to get here) is an hour’s drive from Leeds and just over an hour’s drive from Manchester. The roads to get to Haworth are good and parking isn’t usually a problem. You can find free parking along nearby roadsides.
By Bus
Regular bus services run to Haworth from Bradford Interchange, Keighley bus station, and Hebden Bridge railway station. Click here for more information on routes via Leeds, Skipton, Bradford, and Keighley.
By Train
Getting to Haworth by train isn’t the easiest, as there isn’t a direct line here so you’ll probably have to do a mixture of train and bus.
The nearest main railway station is Leeds and the nearest local railway station is Keighley. From Keighley to Haworth you can take the bus. We always use The Train Line to book our trains in the UK.
The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway runs steam trains (see below) between Keighley railway station and Haworth railway station at weekends, bank holidays, and daily in summer. Call 01535 647777 for information.
Where To Stay In Haworth
The long, cobbled main street of Haworth looking over beautiful countryside views is its centre and where you will find most of its history, so you won’t want to stay too far away from Haworth’s small centre.
From quaint little hideaways to historic pubs, you won’t be searching long to find a stay full of character and charm in Haworth. We have a few suggestions for you below.
The Fleece Inn
This bed and breakfast accommodation in Haworth has a relaxed restaurant and an award-winning bar, perfect for relaxing with a glass of wine and your favourite person. There is free Wi-Fi throughout. Head here for more information and prices.
The Old Registry
The Old Registry in Haworth is packed with character. Situated in the centre, you won’t have far to go to explore Haworth’s attractions. This is a romantic hotel, perfect for couples. Head here for more information and prices.
Some Friendly Advice
We used Sykes Cottages several times for stays in Haworth and throughout the UK. The first few times we loved our stays and raved about them to everyone we knew, but unfortunately the last three times we’ve used them we’ve had awful experiences.
I won’t go into the nitty gritty here (read our Sykes Cottages review and feel free to send us a message if you’re curious) but our stays have been cancelled leaving us high and dry and the customer service has been appalling.
We can no longer recommend them, and instead strongly suggest you use Booking.com, which is our go-to for most accommodation needs all over the world.
Things To Do In Haworth
Haworth has so many amazing things to do, but it’s also a great place to just unwind – which you just don’t find in many of the top UK holiday destinations. You’ll find something for everyone in Haworth, and some of the must-dos are listed below!
The Bronte Parsonage In Haworth
The number one thing to do when you visit Haworth is to take a sneak peek into the lives of the Bronte family at the Bronte Parsonage Museum.
Home to the family from 1820 to 1861, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne wrote some of England’s best-loved books, and this beautifully preserved Georgian house, the place where they spent most of their lives, gives us a taste of how they lived.
I’m a lover of the Bronte novels, so I dragged Adam along kicking and screaming. It turns out he actually thoroughly enjoyed himself and it was a real highlight of our trip.
It’s pretty hard not to be swept up by the romance and drama of it all, even if you aren’t a fan of their books. Items on display include letters, notebooks, and household artifacts. The ‘Little Books’, showing just how tiny the sister’s handwriting was, is fascinating to see.
The dining room table where Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall were written, sits in pride of place in the room where the books were penned and where the Bronte sisters shared and discussed their great works.
You can also see some of their personal items, such as Emily’s paint box, Charlotte’s sewing box, pebbles collected by Anne, a comb used by Emily, and the bonnet worn by Charlotte on her wedding day.
There is a changing exhibition at the end of the museum, so you can use your ticket to return for a year if you live nearby. We loved reading about the illnesses and medical care that Mr. Bronte provided for the villagers, and how he made a real difference to many lives at the time.
Entrance prices:
| Adult | £9.00 |
| Concession | £6.50 |
| Adult 65+ | £7.00 |
| Family (up to 2 adults and 4 children) | £22.00 |
| Family (1 adult and 1 child) | £10.00 |
Opening Hours: Sunday-Monday, 10am-5pm
The Railway Children Station
Haworth boasts a fabulous old railway station, where you catch an old steam train to the Edwardian Oakworth station that was used as the location for the famous 1970s film ‘The Railway Children’. You can order real ale from the buffet cart, or even splash out a little on afternoon tea as you watch the countryside whizz past your window.
You can also stand on the bridge and watch the vintage steam trains puff their way in and out of the valley, waving to all the passengers as it goes by.
The railway also puts on a large number of themed events and festivals throughout the year, so make sure you check their website for up-to-date information to find out what’s going on when you visit.
Walk The Wild Moorlands Of Haworth
One of the best things about Haworth is its beautiful surrounding countryside. Just follow the path beside the parsonage and you’ll be out in the wilds in minutes.
Follow the wooden signposts towards Top Withins (supposedly the inspiration behind the farmhouse in Wuthering Heights) and the Bronte Waterfall and you’ll be in a whole new world in no time, breathing in the crisp Yorkshire countryside air.
We did the walk in the middle of winter when the wind was ice cold and the trails were mud, and it was still incredibly beautiful and magical. You can’t pick a bad time to go.
The 43-mile trail winds its way through the moors, down the valleys, and up to the hill peaks. There are various stops along the way from the famous Bronte novels, and plenty of pubs to stop off at and warm-up or refresh! So just pick a direction and go!
Go Shopping In Haworth
Shopping in Haworth is a real treat, and could easily take up half a day of your time here if you let it! The specialist, independent shops are full of interesting and unique wares. The window displays alone are worth a look.
All along Haworth Main Street, you will find quirky, characterful houses full of antiques and collectibles, with old-fashioned windows showing off tempting displays of second-hand books, Fairtrade gifts, and gorgeous handmade crafts.
Scattered amongst them all you will find a generous amount of tea shops which will all beckon you in when your feet start aching!
Haworth is the ultimate shopping destination for those seeking a special gift for others or themselves. We loved browsing the shelves of Rose & Co Apothecary, the perfect place to pick up a treat for a loved one (or perhaps just a special something for yourself!)
It is a restored druggist, the very chemist that Branwell picked up his supply of laudanum that eventually contributed to his death, and it is now full of wonderful smelling bath salts, perfume, and exotic oils, all specially made to help relieve specific ailments.
Enjoy A Guided Walk
I’ve been in contact with David of Bronte Adventures and wish I’d known about his guided walks when I last visited.
His 5-mile tour of the moors takes you to spots most visitors don’t know about, and his knowledge of the moors and folklore surrounding them means you’ll get a special insight into this magical part of the UK. We’ll be arranging our walk with him as soon as we make it back to Haworth and will be sure to document our adventures!
Cliffe Castle Museum
For a day trip away from all the Bronte madness, visit Cliffe Castle in the nearby town of Keighley. The once spectacular mansion of local Victorian millionaire H I Butterfield, the house is now an eclectic mix of Victorian-era furniture, stuffed animals, and old toys.
It is also full of a large array of glittering minerals, rocks, and even a 2m long fossil newt. Kids will love it here! You could stay for hours and not see everything, but it’s free to enter so you can always come back and continue the journey into the strange and wonderful!
Opening Times: Tuesday to Friday 10am – 4pm. Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holiday Mondays 11am – 4pm. Last admission 3.30pm
Admission Cost: Free
East Riddlesden Hall
This National Trust site was once a thriving farm estate and is now open to the public to explore the beautiful grounds in the shadow of the 17th-century manor house.
Enter for some interesting stories of ambition, success and failure, or simple explore the cottage gardens flowers, herb garden, and beautiful fruit trees.
Although the grounds are probably best enjoyed in Spring and Summer when the flowers are in full bloom, there is something for every season of the year and it is a pretty place for a day out all year round.
There is a play area, mud pie kitchen, and den building corner to keep the little kids (and big kids) occupied. There is also a tea room, but check opening times if you’re keen!
Ticket Price:
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £8.70 | £7.70 |
| Child | £4.85 | £3.85 |
| Family | £22.25 | £19.25 |
Opening Times: Check here, open at various times throughout the year.
Things To Do In Haworth With Kids
Kids will love exploring all of Haworth’s nooks and crannies on one of the village’s many guided walks. As mentioned previously, David of Bronte Adventures comes highly recommended and takes visitors to all the key Bronte locations and beauty spots on Haworth Moor, mostly off the beaten track.
He even provides a free map and fun quiz for families who prefer to walk to the Bronte Waterfalls without his guiding assistance.
Ingrow Museum of Rail and Travel near Haworth is a fun trip for everyone. Full of old steam locos and 1920s vintage buses, there will be something for everyone here. It’s also a pretty cheap place to visit, with adult tickets at £3 and children only £2. Well worth a few hours of your time!
What could be more fun than trekking with an alpaca! Well at Thornwood you can do just that! The guided walk will take you through some of the famous Bronte countrysides, but with an alpaca by your side, it’s bound to be even more fun!
Events In Haworth
Being such a historic village, Haworth has a huge village community and you will find regular events held in and around Haworth. Just search for Haworth events for an up-to-date calendar of the activities going on at your time of visit.
Expect activities such as Christmas nativities, ghost walks, medieval weekends, and some more unusual events like the Scroggling the Holly Weekend, Pipes, Bows and Bells Weekend, or the Brontë Vintage Gathering.
Where To Eat In Haworth
Haworth is packed with delicious places to eat and drink. In fact, it’s a bit of a problem if you’re on a budget, as you will want to stop everywhere and fill your mouth with tempting food.
Tea Rooms
During the day there are several fantastic tea rooms to choose from, all selling tasty sandwiches and cakes, pies and of course, warming cups of tea. Alternatively, you could head a short walk out of the village to Ashmount Country House, for their award-winning homemade cream teas.
Pubs
We were recommended The Kings Arms and it did not disappoint. The inside is cosy and welcoming, and they even make space for dogs.
Our meals were delicious, and we had fun browsing the special dog menu too (just ask at the bar for details!) Here you can enjoy a pint of Emily or Charlotte ale, and we have to say that Emily was quite wonderful (we couldn’t resist!) They have live music nights (check the blackboard out front for details).
Get Take Away
Just opposite is a friendly fish and chip shop, which has a wide menu and is quite reasonably priced. If you fancy a night in in front of a roaring fire then this is a great option. There are also several Indian and Chinese takeaways in the village that will deliver.
Sweet Tooth
The old-fashioned sweet shop, Mrs. Beighton’s Sweet Shop, at the top of Main Street sells in jars of licorice humbugs, cola cubes and rhubarb and custards (our favourite!)
It was just far too tempting to leave empty-handed! They also sell a huge range of gift-type chocolates if you’re doing a spot of souvenir shopping.
Essentials-What To Bring When You Visit Haworth
Whether you’re just here for a day or have a week to explore, you will want a few essentials for your visit to Haworth. We’ve listed our recommendations below to make your visit to Haworth as enjoyable as possible.
Walking Boots
An essential item if you plan on walking Haworth’s famous moorland (and we really recommend you do!) England isn’t famed for its weather at the best of times, and the Yorkshire moors can be particularly unpredictable, so make sure you bring some waterproof walking shoes for those mud-soaked trails.
Raincoat
As mentioned above, don’t expect good weather, and don’t let a little rain put you off either! Sometimes the rain clouds rolling over the moorlands are just beautiful, and a little rain never hurt anyone! Just dress up warm and embrace it!
Water Bottle
Do your bit for the environment and come prepared (unless you plan on spending your trip in the pub, which is absolutely an option!) These Chillys water bottles come in such fun colours, and more importantly, they keep drinks hot or cold all day. Taking a bottle of hot coffee for our cold winter walk was just perfect (or why not try mulled wine!)
Camera
We use a Sony ILCE7KB.CE Full Frame Compact with a 28mm lens to take the amazing shots we get for the website.
If you aren’t such a keen photographer, but like something that you can have a play with when you feel in the mood, then I can thoroughly recommend the Olympus OM-D. It’s small and light, so I can take it anywhere.
I have the option to change lenses (I love my zoom lens for wildlife shots), but it also works great as a point and shoot. It looks really stylish too-a great reason to buy a camera! We’ve reviewed some of the top cameras out there to help you make the best choice for you!
Further Reading
Head down South to England’s stunning coastline for a completely different countryside experience and explore the beauty of Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door.
Check out England’s capital city in this 2 day ultimate guide.
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