The Brontë Way is a scenic and literary trail that winds through the rugged landscapes of West Yorkshire and into Lancashire, offering a journey into the world of the Brontë sisters—Charlotte, Emily, and Anne.
The trail is a tribute to the Brontës’ enduring legacy, inviting walkers to immerse themselves in the history, culture, and evocative landscapes that shaped the authors and their stories.
Route
- What3Words: ///valley.stem.vibrates
- Distance: 44 miles (71 km)
- Start: Oakwell Hall, Nova Ln, Birstall, Batley WF17 9LF
- Finish Location: Gawthorpe Hall, Burnley Rd, Padiham, Burnley BB12 8UA
OS Walking Map & GPX Download
Our OS map below shows the full route. Under the map, you can find a GPX file download for your navigational device.
Download file for GPSWalk Description
As you journey along this trail, you’ll encounter various locations, each with a unique connection to the Brontës. Below is an overview of the key points along the route, highlighting their significance to the Brontë legacy.
Oakwell Hall, Nova Ln, Birstall, Batley WF17 9LF
Oakwell Hall is a striking Elizabethan manor house that served as the inspiration for “Fieldhead” in Charlotte Brontë’s novel Shirley. The hall is steeped in history, with its well-preserved interiors offering a glimpse into the kind of environment that Charlotte imagined for her characters. The trail then goes through Birstall, a quaint village near Oakwell Hall.
Gomersal
Gomersal is where Charlotte Brontë’s close friend, Mary Taylor, lived at the Red House. The house and its surroundings played a significant role in Charlotte’s life and were also immortalized in Shirley as “Briarmains.” The Brontë Way then skirts past Cleckheaton. Cleckheaton was a bustling mill town during the Brontës’ time.
Liversedge
Liversedge is where the Brontës’ friend, Ellen Nussey, lived. The town is mentioned in letters between Charlotte and Ellen, revealing the close-knit connections between the Brontë sisters and their circle of friends. The Brontë Way then passes through Hightown.
Thornhills
Thornhills was once the home of the Taylor family, friends of the Brontës. The area captures the essence of the moorland settings often depicted in their novels, providing a backdrop to the Brontë sisters’ stories. The walk then goes through Bailiff Bridge, Shelf, Westwood Park and Clayton.
Thornton
Thornton holds significant importance as the birthplace of the Brontë sisters. The village is where Patrick and Maria Brontë raised their family before moving to Haworth. The Brontë birthplace, now a museum, is a must-visit site for anyone on the trail. The route then passes through Keelham, past Thornton Moor Reservoir, Leeming Reservoir and Oxenhope.
Haworth
Haworth is the heart of Brontë country, where the Brontë Parsonage Museum is located. This village was the Brontës’ home from 1820 and is where they wrote most of their works. Walking through Haworth, visitors can explore the church, the parsonage, and the surrounding moors, all integral to the Brontë story.
The route then passes through Penistone Hall Country Park and past Lower Laithe Reservoir.
Brontë Waterfall
The Brontë Waterfall is a significant landmark on the Brontë Way, often visited by the sisters themselves. The picturesque waterfall, located near Haworth, is a place of natural beauty that continues to draw Brontë enthusiasts.
Ponden Reservoir
Ponden Reservoir, near Ponden Hall, is believed to have inspired locations in Wuthering Heights. Ponden Hall itself is thought to be the model for “Thrushcross Grange” or “Wuthering Heights” in Emily’s novel. The route then passes Watersheddles Reservoir – located on the border between Yorkshire and Lancashire – through Thursden, Lee Green Reservoir, Hurst Well Bridge, Lennox Street Stepping Stones – a unique crossing point along the trail, then past Holbeck Park and Wood End.
Gawthorpe Hall, Burnley Rd, Padiham, Burnley BB12 8UA
Gawthorpe Hall is the final significant stop on the Brontë Way. Charlotte Brontë was a frequent visitor here, and the hall remains largely unchanged from her time. The stunning architecture and surrounding gardens provide a fitting conclusion to the Brontë Way, connecting the literary heritage of the Brontës with the grand historical homes of their time.
This journey through the Brontë Way not only allows you to walk in the footsteps of the Brontë sisters but also to experience first-hand the landscapes that inspired some of the greatest works of English literature. Each stop on the trail offers a unique glimpse into the world that shaped the Brontës, making it a pilgrimage for both literary enthusiasts and lovers of the great outdoors.
