Brontë Waterfall and exploring Brontë country

The Brontë sisters wrote a number of literary classics, most notably ‘Wuthering Heights’ (Emily Brontë), ‘Jane Eyre’ (Charlotte Brontë) and ‘The Tenant of Wildfell Hall’ (Ann Brontë). The sisters were very much inspired by the wild moorland of the South Pennine Hills around the area where they lived in the village of Haworth in West Yorkshire, which has become known as Brontë Country. In this article we take a look at how you can explore this area that they loved so much, and how you can visit one of its most beautiful natural features: Brontë waterfall.

The Bronte Way

The best way to explore Brontë Country is on foot, just as the sisters would have done. The Brontë Way is a 43 mile long-distance footpath that winds though most of the places that will be of interests to fans of the Brontë sisters.

The well-marked path starts at Oakwell Hall near Birstall and ends at Gawthorpe Hall near Burnley. The path takes you over beautiful wild moorland and past many very interesting natural and manmade features. It can be enjoyed in shorter sections if you don’t want to walk it in its entirety.

Brontë Waterfall

Brontë Waterfall is a small natural fall located in the moors near to the village of Haworth. It can be reached by following a 3 mile trail that starts in Haworth and leads over the moorland to the fall. This is a wonderfully scenic walk through an incredible area of outstanding natural beauty.

The village has 3 pay and display car parks so it’s easy to access. Signposts will point you in the right direction, though it may be best to plan your route beforehand and take a map, just in case. After winding past some of Yorkshire’s stunning landscapes you’ll pass the Brontë Bridge and then reach the falls themselves.

The falls are always pretty stunning, though it’s best to visit just after it’s rained as this is when they are at their best. It’s a great place to visit in all weathers and even in the non-summer months.

Whatever time of year you visit, you will enjoy the romance of the Brontë Bridge. The original bridge was destroyed by flash floods in 1989, but a plaque commemorates it. There’s also the ‘Brontë chair’, a seat-shaped stone – maybe the perfect place to stop for a rest (and a cheeky snack) on the way to the falls!

There are many other good walks in the area if you wish to extend your hike. Always remember to be prepared for walking trips – take plenty of water, snacks and your mobile phone, and wear layers of clothes and a sensible pair of walking boots.

Haworth

The village of Haworth which is situated on the edge of the Pennine Moors, 10 miles west of Bradford in West Yorkshire. Although the Brontë sisters were born in Thornton, they did most of their writing while living in Haworth Parsonage, while their father was the parson of local church.

The Brontë Parsonage Museum, located in the sister’s former home, is a must for any fan. The Museum houses many of Charlotte Brontë’s belongings, and provides fascinating insights into the way the sisters lived and wrote. For example, the sisters used to read out sections of their manuscripts to each other whilst walking in circles around their wooden dining table! The museum is open daily, excluding some dates in December and January, and standard adult tickets cost £7.

It’s believed that Emily Brontë based Wuthering Height’s title house on Top Withins, near to Haworth parsonage. However, the ruined farmhouse which stands there today sadly doesn’t bear any resemblance to the one in the novel. Experts suggest that Ponden Hall in Stanbury is more similar (and may have in fact been inspiration for Thrushcross Grange, another setting in the novel). You can continue on the Brontë Way to reach Top Withins After visiting the waterfall.

Places of interest in the nearby area

If you enjoy the natural beauty of the Brontë waterfall, you may be pleased to discover that Yorkshire has many waterfalls due to its unusual limestone geology. Those staying near the River Ure can enjoy walking to Whitfield Gill Force or West Burton Falls, whereas those staying near the River Twiss should visit the 20-foot drop of water at Thornton Force.

If you’re camping in Yorkshire, you may also consider a day trip to Scarborough. This 360-year old seaside resort was Anne Brontë’s favourite place to visit. Sadly it became her final resting place after she died of tuberculosis in 1849. However, it is still easy to see why she loved the area as it has remained a cheerful seaside town. There are many stunning sights such as historic Scarborough castle and impressive Spa Bridge.

If you are keen to visit more Brontë sites of interest, the Brontë Country website contains extensive detail regarding the lives of the sisters and the locations that were significant to them.

Take a trip to Brontë Country

The Yorkshire landscape inspired the Brontës over 150 years ago, and when you’re standing in front of the Brontë falls it’s likely that you’ll feel the same love they did. This is a stunningly beautiful area to visit and should be top of the list for literary fans when in Yorkshire.