There are so many wonderful places to visit in Yorkshire, it’s hard to pick where to go. For any literary fans, one destination you simply can’t miss is the charming village of Haworth in West Yorkshire. This is where the Brontë family lived, including all three authors: Charlotte Brontë, Emily Brontë, and Anne Brontë. This is a beautiful part of England and even if you don’t appreciate literature, there’s still plenty to do here!
Exploring Haworth
One of the best places to visit in Haworth is the Brontë Parsonage. The former family home has now been turned into an excellent museum, with loads of information on the family members’ lives, their impressive work, and the impact of their novels. This is a must-see in Yorkshire for anyone interested in English literature or the Brontës. But even if you aren’t a big fan, I’m sure you’ll still find the museum interesting.
Brontë enthusiasts should also visit Haworth Parish Church, as nearly all the Brontës are interred here. The only exception is Anne Brontë, who died in Scarborough and is buried in the church there.
The Main Street in Haworth is full of independent shops, cafes, and pubs, which you can easily spend a morning or an afternoon wandering around. I’ve stopped at Villette Coffee House and Bakery and enjoyed it very much. I fully intend to go back to Haworth and try a few more of the cafes!
Haworth is also a stop on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway (KWVR), a heritage railway line that has both steam and diesel trains. If you want to take a steam train journey, you can do it here! I’d recommend checking out the KWVR website.
Brontë Waterfall and Top Withens Walk
Haworth is perfect for a daytrip, as you can spend part of the day in town, and then stretch your legs on a hike out of the village. The walk out to Brontë Waterfall and Top Withens can’t be missed if you’re in the area! Top Withens is a ruined farmhouse up on the moors, and was supposedly the inspiration for the location in Wuthering Heights (by Emily Brontë).
Leave Haworth heading west, following the main road. Eventually the road turns into a track as it heads into the moors. Follow it and you will eventually reach the waterfall, which has a small stone footbridge over it. It took me just under 1 hour to reach the waterfalls from around the parsonage in town.
After the waterfall, head uphill and across the moors. The paths are distinct and easy to follow, although I always recommend you have a map (you’ll need OS Map: OS Explorer OL21 for this area). On a clear day, it’s easy to see Top Withens in the distance. There are some signposts on the route as some parts follow the long-distance Pennine Way trail.
Top Withens is really just ruins now, but it’s still fun to explore, have a wander around, sit down for a rest stop, and enjoy the spectacular views. It took me 1 hour and 20 minutes from leaving Haworth to get up to Top Withens.
You can really tell just how remote and desolate the moors would be for the Brontë sisters – there’s nothing around for several miles. It’s certainly atmospheric, and if you’re visiting Haworth I really recommend setting aside a few hours to do this walk.
Head back to Haworth via the Pennine Way and the village of Stanbury, before crossing Lower Laithe Reservoir to get back to Haworth. This walk is just over 6 miles, and took me just under 3 hours total including breaks and lots of photo stops. It can be muddy, so I recommend sturdy hiking boots for this walk. Make sure you’re prepared and bring a waterproof rain jacket, plenty of layers, and water and snacks. Check out my outdoor gear guide for all my recommendations!
Planning Your Trip
I visited Haworth as a daytrip from where I live in York. But there are plenty of places to stay in the village itself. I’d love to stay here myself one day, as I can imagine the town feels so different in the evening and early morning when there aren’t as many tourists around! You can search for hotels and B&Bs here, or check out the main hostel in town, YHA Haworth.
It’s easier to visit Haworth with a car, but parking can be tricky during peak times. If you want to take the heritage KWVR, you can visit Haworth that way. Otherwise if you’re relying on public transportation, I’d recommend getting the train to Hebden Bridge and taking the Bronte Bus (B1, B2, or B3) to Haworth. I always book my tickets online in advance via Trainline. If you’re flying, Leeds Bradford Airport is the closest – I book flights on Skyscanner. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. If you want to visit Haworth as part of a tour, here are a few options!
Looking to read up on the Brontës before your visit? Buy a few of their most well-known novels here!
Haworth is a fantastic place to visit in West Yorkshire. There is so much literary heritage here, but even if that’s not your jam the town is full of cozy shops and cafes, and has incredible hikes literally on the doorstep. I hope this post helps in planning your trip to Haworth!
Have you been to Haworth before? What was your favorite place?
You might also like my posts:
77 Incredible Places to Visit in Yorkshire
Hawes, Hardraw Force, and More: Waterfalls in Wensleydale
The Best Places to See Heather Bloom in Yorkshire
21 of the BEST Places to Visit in the North York Moors
All of my Yorkshire posts!
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