Haworth for Bronte Country and much more.
Information on Cottage Holidays in Haworth
A stay in a self-catering cottage in Haworth could be much more than a pleasant break in a country village. The cobbled streets of Haworth are busy in high season and there is a vibrant atmosphere as visitors browse the souvenir shops and take afternoon tea in the quaint tearooms. It wasn’t all beer and skittles in times gone by, however, as the old stocks next to the church demonstrate! Haworth should be an excellent choice for those with a love of the Bronte novels and an interest in history. The village is also close to the Pennine Moors and could be an excellent choice for keen walkers. Enjoy browsing for Bronte country cottages and rural retreats in and near Haworth.
The village is, of course, forever associated with the Bronte family and tourists come from across the world to visit the Bronte Parsonage Museum. This is housed in the home where Emily, Charlotte, Anne and their brother, Branwell lived with their father, who had taken the job of curate. The famous novels were written here and it’s fascinating to explore the furniture and décor in the dining room, children’s study, kitchen and bedrooms. Branwell was a painter and his famous portrait of his three sisters hangs in the museum.
There is a lot to discover in the streets of Haworth on a cottage break with many reminders available of the village’s famous former residents. The Black Bull pub is where Branwell Bronte used to drink and his very own chair takes pride of place. You can also see the old apothecary where he bought his supplies of opium, which further led to his downfall.
Haworth is surrounded by the Yorkshire Moors, where the Bronte sisters got much of their inspiration for their stories. You can get information on numerous walks around the village, incorporating the best scenery and sometimes locations that the sisters fictionalised in their novels.
There is more to Haworth than the Brontes, however, and for lovers of steam trains, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway is a nostalgic trip back to the golden age of the railways. A Day Rover ticket enables you to get on and off at various stops along the line, including Keighley, Oxenhope, Oakworth and Haworth itself. Oakworth Station will be familiar to fans of the film, The Railway Children. The railway is also involved in presenting the annual Beer and Music Festival, when bands entertain the crowds and beer lovers have a choice of more than a hundred ales.
One of the more unusual annual events in the village which you may get a chance to attend on your self-catering break is the 1940s themed weekend, scheduled to happen again in May of 2013. It’s not compulsory, but everyone is encouraged to don clothes from the period and hairstyles to match. Big band music from the war years adds to the atmosphere. Past highlights include a fly past by a spitfire aeroplane, tea dances and theatrical productions. Food is provided from an old style NAAFI café, just like in the days of ration books and pilchards for supper!
It can be a real pleasure to enjoy a cottage stay in a village setting but if you yearn forr more facilities, the nearby town of Keighley offers a pleasant shopping experience that includes supermarkets and chain stores and also has a cinema. On the outskirts, the National Trust’s East Riddlesden Hall is a delightful manor house dating from the 17th century, which has been used as a film location on two occasions for Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights.
A cottage holiday in Haworth has plenty to recommend it including the opportunity to stay in the heart of Bronte Country and the chance to experience scenic walks, learn about steam trains and the literary icons of the Bronte sisters.
Click on the cottages shown below and investigate the accommodation available for a fascinating holiday in Haworth, Yorkshire.
Whether you choose to book a holiday cottage in Haworth, an apartment, a lodge or another type of self-catering holiday accommodation, we hope you have your best holiday yet in West Yorkshire.