Wuthering Heights in Haworth

QUICK LINKS: The Landscape | Heritage & Culture | Experiences & Events | Food, Drink & Creativity | Where to Stay | Practical Tips

Your Gothic Escape

Step onto the moors and into the pages of Wuthering Heights. Haworth’s windswept West Yorkshire landscape, cobbled streets, and creative energy — a literary cornerstone of the Bradford District — set the scene for Emily Brontë’s dark romance, still inspiring today, from Kate Bush’s anthem to a new film adaptation.

The Story Lives On

Emily Brontë, born in Thornton, wrote her only novel in 1847 under the pen name Ellis Bell. Almost 200 years later, its themes of passion and defiance still resonate. A new film version, directed by Emerald Fennell and starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, will be released in February 2026.

While the upcoming film showcases new locations, Haworth remains the true home of the Brontës. This is where Emily’s imagination takes shape, and where the moors and cobbles still echo her story. You can also explore how the story has been reimagined on screen in VisitEngland’s guide to the filming locations used in Emerald Fennell’s adaptation.

The Landscape

The Pennine moors are at the heart of Brontë Country. Their wild scenery inspired Emily Brontë and still attracts visitors today. You can walk to Top Withens, believed to be the model for the Earnshaw home, and experience the sense of isolation that runs through her novel. Penistone Hill offers wide views across the moors, and the Brontë Way footpath links many important sites in the area.

The landscape is full of drama: rolling heather, steep drops, and skies that can change from sunshine to storm clouds in minutes. Whether you want a tough hike or a gentler walk around the village and valleys, there are routes to suit every level of adventure.

Heritage & Culture

Begin in Thornton, at the Brontë Birthplace, the house where Emily Brontë was born. Just a short walk away are the remains of the Bell Chapel, the old church where the Brontë family once worshipped before moving to Haworth.

From Thornton, travel towards Haworth. The journey itself is dramatic, with views of the Pennines and the old Great Northern Railway route, where tall viaducts cut across the valleys and add to the sense of Brontë‑style scenery.

In Haworth, the highlight is the Brontë Parsonage Museum, the family home where Emily, Charlotte, and Anne wrote their famous novels. The village has plenty of character: stroll down the cobbled Main Street, full of cafés, pubs, and independent shops. Among them, Wave of Nostalgia celebrates strong women, LGBTQ+ voices, and conservation, while the Cabinet of Curiosities offers quirky objects and stories that spark imagination. Together, they add a fresh twist to the village’s literary heritage. You can also stop at St Michael and All Angels Church, where Brontë memorials are found.

Nearby in Keighley, you can visit Cliffe Castle Museum and NT East Riddlesden Hall, both rich in Gothic atmosphere and Brontë connections. East Riddlesden Hall — along with Haworth’s cobbled streets — has even featured in film versions of Wuthering Heights, capturing that sweeping, cinematic feel.

Experiences & Events

Brontë Country is shaped by a vibrant programme of Brontë‑inspired events across Bradford, from literary celebrations to atmospheric seasonal gatherings, with festivals, talks, walks, and creative workshops keeping the legacy alive. Alongside these, the area offers memorable experiences: heritage journeys on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (KWVR), the Brontë Women’s Writing event in autumn, and Haworth’s creative Steampunk Weekend. Winter brings festive lights and the annual Torchlight Parade as part of Haworth’s Christmas celebrations, while the Brontë Parsonage Museum provides year‑round exhibitions and Haunted Haworth Ghost Tours add a Gothic edge — all keeping the Brontë spirit present in modern, engaging ways.

Food, Drink & Creativity

Dining in Haworth feels like stepping into the novel’s atmosphere. Historic pubs such as The Old White Lion and The Fleece Inn serve hearty Yorkshire classics, while The Hawthorn adds a gastropub twist with seasonal menus and cocktails. At The Old Post Office, once used by the Brontës to send manuscripts, you’ll find comforting food and drinks, and Haworth Steam Brewery pairs craft beers with smokehouse flavours. Café culture thrives too: at Cobbles & Clay you can sip artisan coffee and paint pottery, while Villette Coffee House, named after Charlotte Brontë’s novel Villette, brings vegetarian options and takeaway. Tearooms along the cobbles keep cream‑tea traditions alive.

For something special, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway hosts nostalgic dining aboard vintage carriages — from afternoon tea trains with sandwiches and cakes to the quirky Haworth Haddock, combining fish and chips with a steam‑train ride. Beyond Haworth, nearby Keighley and Bradford extend the adventure with award‑winning curries, street food, and global dining. Find more places to eat and drink on VisitBradford’s food and drink guide.

Creativity runs deep in Haworth, shaped by the Brontës and carried forward today. At the Brontë Parsonage Museum, you can join writing workshops, talks, and exhibitions that spark your own Brontë‑inspired story. The Old School Room, where the sisters once taught, now hosts lively craft fairs showcasing artisan goods — from handmade textiles and ceramics to jewellery and prints.

The village also celebrates modern culture through art exhibitions, live music, and theatre events, often inspired by the moors and literary heritage. Community festivals and seasonal fairs bring together makers, performers, and storytellers, adding a vibrant layer to Haworth’s atmosphere.

Where to Stay

Accommodation is one of Haworth’s charms. Choose from boutique B&Bs, welcoming guesthouses, or countryside retreats on the rolling moors. Wake to birdsong on cobbled streets, wander Brontë‑inspired trails, and embrace the romance of Yorkshire’s rugged scenery. Be inspired by Stay & Explore itineraries that help shape your journey.

Practical Tips

• Getting here: Trains from Leeds, Bradford, and Skipton bring you to Keighley, where the heritage Keighley & Worth Valley Railway carries you into Haworth in style. Mainline services from Manchester, York, or London link easily via Leeds or Bradford, with Northern Trains providing regular regional connections.
• The scenic Transdev Brontë Bus winds through moorland villages and valleys, linking Bradford, Keighley, and Hebden Bridge with Haworth — turning the journey itself into part of the story.
• By car, Haworth sits within Bradford’s Clean Air Zone, so check charges before you travel. Visitor parking is available around the village — see Bradford Council’s car parks guide for details.
• You can book tickets in advance for the Brontë Parsonage Museum, especially on busy weekends and event days.
• Accessibility: Haworth’s Main Street is steep and cobbled, which can be challenging for visitors with access needs, though benches provide resting points. Easier paths are found near the railway station, churchyard, and village lanes. The Brontë Parsonage Museum has step‑free access to the ground floor, with staff support available, though the historic upper floor is not accessible. The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway offers accessible parking and an adapted coach on many services. Shops and cafés vary in access due to older buildings, but some provide step‑free entry and staff are happy to help. Assistance dogs are welcome, and visitors can choose between gentle strolls or more rugged hikes depending on comfort.

Exploring Haworth connects you not only to Brontë heritage but also to Bradford’s wider cultural story as a UNESCO City of Film, proudly showcased through #StarringGREATBritain. Plan your visit today and experience the landscapes and stories that made Wuthering Heights a timeless masterpiece.