Walking in the Footsteps of the Brontë Sisters: Discovering the Best Walks in Haworth and Brontë Country
19th February 2023
A Guide to some of the Most Breathtaking Walks in Yorkshire’s Rugged Countryside
Nestled in the heart of the stunning Yorkshire countryside lies the picturesque village of Haworth, known for its rich literary heritage and rugged moorland, immortalized in Emily Brontë’s timeless classic, ‘Wuthering Heights.’ This historic village has been inhabited since at least the 13th century and is famously associated with the Brontë sisters – Charlotte, Emily, and Anne – who lived and wrote their acclaimed novels here.
Brontë Country, as the area is known, is best experienced on foot, with stunning views of the surrounding countryside waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re a seasoned walker or a casual rambler, the walks in Haworth and the Brontë Country have something for everyone, from gentle strolls through wooded valleys to challenging hikes across the moors.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the 6 best walks in the area, each offering its own unique charm and stunning vistas. So, lace up your boots, pack your rucksack, and join us on a journey of discovery through the beautiful Brontë Country.
6 Best Walks in Haworth and Brontë Country
Haworth and the surrounding Brontë Country are a paradise for walkers, with a variety of landscapes and terrain to explore. Here are six of the best walks in the area, each with its own beauty and charm.
The Brontë Waterfalls (3.6 miles)
This circular walk is just under four miles and takes about an hour and a half to complete. The route starts and ends at Penistone Hill Country Park and passes through the picturesque village of Stanbury before reaching the Brontë Waterfalls. The waterfalls are a stunning sight, surrounded by ancient trees and mossy rocks, and were a favourite spot for the Brontë sisters to visit. Look for a chair-shaped rock along the way – it’s said Emily Brontë would rest here to gather her thoughts.
Haworth Moor and Top Withens (7.7 miles)
This almost eight-mile circular walk takes about three hours to complete and includes the iconic ruin of Top Withens, believed to be the inspiration for the Earnshaw family house in Wuthering Heights. The walk begins and ends in a lay-by on Cemetery Road, a short distance from Haworth Cemetery, and takes you over the wild and windswept moorland that inspired the Brontës’ writing. The view from Top Withens is breathtaking, with miles of rugged countryside stretching out before you.
The Railway Children Walk (5 miles)
This five-mile circular walk takes about two hours to complete and is a must for fans of the classic children’s film. The route starts at Haworth station and follows the tracks of the famous Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, which was used in the filming of the 1970 film adaptation of The Railway Children. The walk passes through the stunning countryside that surrounds Haworth and ends back at the historic station.
Brontë Country (9.4 miles)
This nine-mile point-to-point walk from Haworth to Hebden Bridge takes about four hours to complete and offers a comprehensive tour of the stunning countryside that inspired the Brontë sisters. The route takes you from Haworth over the moors to Penistone Hill with it’s abandoned stone quarries, before descending to the picturesque Leeshaw Reservoir. The climb up Bodkin Lane takes you over the moors and then drops down to the wooded valley of Crimsworth Dean. From here, follow the official route to Midgehole from Grain Water Bridge. You can also visit Lumb Hole waterfalls on the way. The walk ends at Hebden Bridge, just in time for a cup of tea and a well-deserved slice of cake. The walk offers a real sense of the wild and romantic landscape that inspired some of the greatest literature of the 19th century.
Denholme Clough (4.1 miles)
This four-mile circular walk takes about an hour and a half to complete and takes you through some of the most beautiful and unspoiled countryside in the area. The route begins in the village of Denholme and follows the Denholme Clough Fault, a geological feature that has created a unique landscape of craggy outcrops, deep gorges, and sweeping valleys. The walk also passes through some charming hamlets and offers stunning views over the surrounding hills and moors. Begin following Black Edge Lane, and Thornton Moor Lane, before looping around the reservoir and heading back along Hambleton Lane and Foreside Lane.
Oxenhope to Hardcastle Crags (20 miles)
This eight-mile point-to-point walk takes about nine hours to complete (it’s not for the fainthearted!) and takes you through some of the most spectacular woodland scenery in the area. The route starts in the village of Oxenhope and follows the meandering brooks and river valleys to the National Trust property of Hardcastle Crags, a deep wooded valley with cascading waterfalls and ancient woodland. The walk offers a unique and immersive experience of the natural beauty of Brontë Country.
Follow in the Footsteps of the Bronte Sisters
Brontë Country is around 15 miles from Skipton, the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales, and has among the most breathtaking landscapes in the UK. From rugged moorland to cascading waterfalls, the area is a walker’s paradise. If you’re looking for a staycation that will take you through some of the most stunning countryside in England, then look no further than Haworth.
Mulberry Cottage is a family-owned and run holiday cottage located in the heart of Haworth. It’s the perfect base for exploring the Brontë Country and the surrounding Yorkshire Dales. After a long day of walking, you can relax in the cosy cottage and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
So why not book your staycation at Mulberry Cottage and follow in the footsteps of the Brontë sisters? You’ll experience the same stunning landscapes that inspired Charlotte, Emily, and Anne to create some of the most iconic works of English literature. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore this beautiful part of the country. Book your stay today and experience the magic of the Brontë Country.
For more details on all the walks mentioned in this article, please see the links below:
References:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/england/west-yorkshire/bronte-waterfalls-circular
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/england/west-yorkshire/haworth-moor-and-top-withins
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/england/west-yorkshire/railway-children-walk-haworth
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/england/west-yorkshire/bronte-country
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/england/west-yorkshire/denholme-clough-circular
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/england/west-yorkshire/oxenhope-to-hardcastle-crags
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haworth
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bront%C3%AB_family
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bront%C3%AB_Country
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bront%C3%AB_Waterfall
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Withens
https://railwaychildrenwalk.co.uk/
https://where2walk.co.uk/walk/railway-children-walk/
http://www.haworth-village.org.uk/walks/rail2/rail2.asp
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denholme_Clough_Fault
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2009/jun/06/brontes-moors-haworth-west-yorkshire-walk
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxenhope
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/hardcastle-crags
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/hardcastle-crags/history-of-hardcastle-crags
