The Tales from the Dales & Brontë Country

Say farewell to Manchester… for today, we’re heading into a fictional land, of sorts.

This tour is for our literature fans out there, and our first stop on the tour is known as ‘the hillside home’ of the Brontë family, the town of Haworth.  

Yep. Those Brontë sisters we know and love. Wander the town they once called home, soak up the history. You may even be able to visit the former Brontë home which is now The Brontë Parsonage Museum (however, please note their opening times vary and may not always be open while on tour). As for the lovely town of Haworth itself? Quaint, quiet, and quality… the essentials for any English village. You’ll delight in the shops, cafes, and cobblestoned streets. Wandering around, maybe you’ll see why the Brontë sisters were inspired by the community they grew up in. 

And for fans of the series The Railway Children, make sure to check out the steam railway at Oakworth Station just down the road, which was featured in the production. Grab yourself a bite for lunch at one of the many cafes or get some takeaway and enjoy pretty views as you wander the area. 

Our drive continues through the lovely landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales. It’s a breathtaking view to be sure. Meandering hills, craggy moorlands, and romantic valleys stretch out all around you. But what you take notice of most is the limestone. From cliffs to caves, outcrops to scars, this moody rock is found at every turn.  

We arrive at our next destination, the market town of Grassington. Often referred to as the ‘beating heart of the Yorkshire Dales’, you may recongise it as the fictional market town of Darrowby in the series of All Creatures Great & Small. And just a short five-minute walk from the car park, you’ll find the beauty of Linton Falls. If there’s been plenty of rain (it is the UK, after all), you’ll hear their thunderous call as you approach. You have free time in Grassington to explore and grab a bite to eat.

And just to really showcase the beauty of this region, it’s next onto Aysgarth Falls. This three-stepped waterfall has drawn people to it for over 200 years, including the famous, from poet William Wordsworth to painter JMW Turner. You might also recognise them from the movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. 

Now it’s time for something a little different… but perhaps even more exciting. Cheese. We arrive at Wensleydale Creamery, custodians of a 1000-year-old heritage. From their iconic, creamy, crumbly classic Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese to the rich, buttery flavours of Fountains Gold, this is a cheese-lovers dream. 

Our final stop of the day is the stunning Ribblehead Viaduct. A proud display of Victorian engineering, this impressive statement structure has incredible views of the Three Peaks mountains. 

After a few photos and a bit of awe, you jump back on the bus and head back to Manchester, arriving in the early evening.