Brontë Walk
The dramatic location of Haworth Moor is the perfect location for Top Withins, the ruined farmhouse said to have been the inspiration for Wuthering Heights, the novel by Emily Brontë.
The ruin lies on the Pennine Way and is a popular walking destination from nearby Haworth and Stanbury. Such is the attraction to Japanese literary tourists that some footpath signs in the area include directions in Japanese.
Grade: Moderate
An 8 mile circular walk starting in Haworth, exploring the places and landscapes most associated with the Brontë family.
1. From Haworth Church take the track out signed Brontë Way and Top Withins. Continue straight ahead on this path (no diversions) to reach the Brontë Seat. Signposts will also take you to the Brontë Waterfall close by, which is worth a visit, particularly after heavy rain. At the Brontë Seat, cross the bridge and carry straight up to meet a three-way signpost.
2. Turn left here, signposted 'Top Withins'. Follow this path uphill, taking no diversions, to emerge at a beck. Cross over the beck by stepping stones and carry on straight-ahead uphill to emerge at a signpost by an old ruined building (Top Withins).
3. From Top Withins turn right at the signpost for 'Stanbury and Haworth' to follow this path downhill. You've now joined the Pennine Way.
4. Continue straight ahead passing Upper Heights and Lower Heights Farms, still following the Pennine Way. At the fork where the Pennine Way bears off to the left, keep following the path straight ahead signposted 'Stanbury and Haworth' to meet a road which leads into the village of Stanbury.
5. Pass through Stanbury (or stay longer by taking in the pubs!) and once outside the village take the first right along the road crossing the top of the dam of Lower Laithe Reservoir. At the far end of the dam, take the minor road off to the left, which becomes a track. Follow this uphill and eventually emerge at another road by Haworth Cemetery.
6. Turn left onto this road and follow this back into Haworth, through a gap stile on the right, where the walk concludes at the Brontë Parsonage Museum.