Places to Visit- Haworth (Bronte Parsonage)

Haworth is less than hour away from Harrogate by car, but in terms of scenery and perspective it’s like stepping into a different country. You will pass through the historic towns of Silsden and Keighley which became famous for fine cloth manufacturing in the 19th Century.  From Keighley train station you can connect to the Heritage Keighley and Worth Valley Railway steam train to Haworth and walk the half mile to the Parsonage.  The “Railway Children” was filmed on this line, they used Oakworth Station (the stop before Haworth).  It is a beautiful trip along the 5 mile stretch of track. A day out in itself.

If you drive all the way to Haworth there are good car parks around the village.  You will require cash or card to use the toilet facilities.  The mens facilities had a problem with the electronic gate.  Hopefully it has been fixed. The car park machines are cash only or you can use an app.to pay by card. Rates are for the day.  We arrived around 11 am, there was plenty of parking available.   We started our visit with the Parsonage Museum.  An enlightening look into the lives of the Bronte sisters and their brother Bramwell. 

We had our dog with us, so whilst everyone else did the museum, I walked the dog to the Lower Laithe Resevoir, a pleasant stroll along a good well marked path, starting at the museum through a sheep field and then a very short walk along the road before joining the path to the Resevoir, it took us just over an hour at a very leisurely pace.  You will need to keep your dog on a lead.  The nearest bins are in Haworth.  There were some spectacular views across country.

We had lunch in one of the pet friendly pubs.  There are so many places serving lunch you are spoiled for choice.  The Black Bull where Bramwell Bronte spent so much of his time is our favourite.

After lunch we headed for the Bronte Falls.  It‘s a two mile hike along a marked path over some rough terrain so hiking boots are recommended especially if it’s been raining.  We did this on a beautiful sunny day in August.  The walk takes you through sheep fields and beside cattle.  You need to keep dogs on a lead.  We loved this walk.  It took us through some beautiful countryside and the falls were in such a tranquil place you could understand why the sisters would frequent them and it helps to understand their works. You walk across moorland and you can envisage how people can lose their bearings and get lost especially if a mist descends

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All cafes and shops in Haworth stop serving at or before 5 pm.  So we headed back to Harrogate where all the restaurants are open until late and we had the choice of cooking our own food in a great kitchen!

www.artistscottages.co.uk