A Short Break in Haworth: Things to Do

Last month, I made the trip to Yorkshire to spend a long weekend in Haworth. As a lover of the novels produced by the famous Bronte sisters, this is a place that I’ve wanted to visit for years. Much like my lovely colleague Leanne, working at Sykes Cottages has inspired me to explore more of the UK and for today’s blog post, I wanted to share with you just some of the highlights from my trip to Haworth.

 The Passionate Brontës Walking Tour

Via Flickr

One activity in Haworth that is not to be missed is the Passionate Brontës Walking Tour. The tour lasts around an hour and a half and is a fantastic introduction to the Brontës, their work and Haworth itself. There isn’t a large amount of walking involved as you mainly cover the area around the Brontë Parsonage, making it suitable for nearly all ages and abilities. The tour guide, Johnnie, is sincerely passionate and deeply knowledgeable about the family and their history; so much so that you can’t help but become infected by his enthusiasm.  I would go as far as to say that his walking tour is one of the best I’ve ever been on. Even those with little interest in the Brontës (who’ve perhaps been coerced into doing the tour by an eager travelling companion!) will find themselves pleasantly surprised by how much they enjoy it.

Brontë Parsonage Museum

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Once you’ve been on the Passionate Brontës Walking Tour then head for the Brontë Parsonage Museum. The museum was the lifelong home of the family and they lived here from 1820 until the last surviving member of the family, their father Patrick, died in 1861. It is here that the sisters were inspired to write their masterpieces and the moorlands so integral to Emily’s novel, Wuthering Heights, can be seen from the windows. The museum is now maintained by the Brontë Society and visitors can experience the house as close as is possible to how it would have been when the family lived here. There are also many items of furniture and personal possessions on display that belonged to the Brontës including Charlotte’s wedding bonnet, artwork painted by the sisters and even locks of their hair.

Shops, Cafes and Restaurants

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You could easily spend hours at the treasure trove of vintage, antique, second-hand and gift shops on Haworth’s Main Street; if you’re anything like me then I can guarantee you won’t leave empty handed! The traditional sweet shop at the top of the hill, Mrs Beighton’s Sweet Shop, is definitely worth a visit, offering a fantastic selection of old fashioned sweets including handmade Yorkshire fudge. If you’re feeling a little thirsty after exhausting the shops, Haworth also boasts a variety of great cafes and restaurants. Whether you’re after a three course meal, a sandwich or an alcoholic beverage, there’s something to suit you. Why not stop off for a pint at the historic Black Bull pub, often frequented by Branwell Brontë; head to the Stirrup Eating House for a cream tea; or dine in style at Embers of Haworth?

Rent a holiday cottage in Haworth

Chloe’s Cottage, Haworth, Ref. 26945

Although my time in Haworth was short and revolved mainly around the Brontës, there are plenty of other brilliant things to do in Haworth and the surrounding areas; I will certainly be heading back! This quaint, picturesque town would be a fantastic place for a holiday in the UK and if you’re planning to visit any time soon then don’t forget to take a look at some of our lovely self-catering cottages in Haworth. If you have any further suggestions for places to visit in Haworth then we’d love to hear them! You can get in touch either by tweeting us or writing to us on Facebook.

Image Credits: Brian Robert Marshall (cc-by-sa/2.0)