Literary Lovers: Brontës Tour 2024

Breakfast. Visit Thornton where Patrick and Maria Brontë lived in the small parsonage with their children Maria and Elizabeth from 1815 and where Charlotte, Emily, Anne and Branwell were all born. After lunch (at own cost) enjoy a guided walk around Thornton to see key Brontë sites including Bell Chapel, where Patrick Brontë preached between 1815 and 1820 and where the Brontë children were baptised. Visit Shibden Hall, a 600-year-old medieval timber framed manor house and one of England’s oldest, dating back to 1420 – the house is a possible inspiration for ‘Thrushcross Grange’ in Emily’s Wuthering Heights. (B)

Accommodation: Haworth Hotel or similar

Spend the morning in Haworth, the main location for everything Brontë. Begin with a walking tour of the village to hear stories of what life was like in the Brontës’ day. Visit the famous Parsonage which Patrick Brontë, his wife Maria and their six children moved into in April 1820. See the dining room where Charlotte, Emily and Anne did most of their writing (including ‘Wuthering Heights’, ‘Jane Eyre’ and ‘Agnes Grey’), the kitchen where they listened to their servant tell tales about the moors, the bedrooms – including Charlotte’s, in which she died – the study and the clock that Mr Brontë would wind up every night. Visit Haworth Parish church, home to the Brontë Memorial Chapel and where the Brontë family (except Anne) are buried. Free time for lunch (at own cost) for which you may wish to try The Black Bull pub, where Bramwell used to drink, or one of the pretty tea rooms. Afternoon on the moors – enjoy a walking tour to see the legendary ruins of Top Withens Farm, believed to be Emily’s inspiration for ‘Wuthering Heights’ manor house. En route you will also see the famous Brontë Waterfall. Return to London. (B)