As an English student, and a massive lover of all things Bronte, this was a dream come true! I decided I wanted to visit the home of one of my all-time favourite authors, after reading Wuthering Heights during my A-Levels and falling in love with it. I can now finally call myself a Bronte fanatic after finally visiting the house!
Although there are plenty of fun things to do in Haworth, visiting the Bronte Parsonage Museum has to be my favourite. Whilst being a small house, this didn’t take away from how stunning and characterful it was.
Much of the original furniture has been preserved, giving the house a wonderful, yet realistic, museum-like feel. The information about the three Bronte sisters was incredible, detailing the history of many of the key possessions still present in the Parsonage, from the very furniture that Emily Bronte passed away on, to the magnifying glass used by her father Patrick.
“It was amazing to be in the very same spots where the Bronte sisters created their very best work, amid the chaos of everyday domestic life”
When there was no original furniture, for instance no beds survived from the era, great detailed research was done to recreate it from images and with input from historians. It was amazing to be in the very same spots where the Bronte sisters created their very best work amid the chaos of everyday domestic life. Upstairs was a little different, as Charlotte’s room was not preserved in the same way as the study and kitchen downstairs.
It was instead dedicated to displaying one of her beautiful dresses and many of her accessories. A substantial number of her possessions, some of which were created during her time as a governess, were preserved and displayed showing a completely difference side to the creator of Jane Eyre. An example of this is in the doll house accessories she made in her spare time.
“It wouldn’t be a trip to a museum without a long browse in the gift shop, I had to resist major temptation to buy everything!”
For the incredibly inexpensive price of £6 for a student ticket there is no better way to spend your time in Haworth. This is made even better, as the ticket is valid for an entire year, which means there is no excuse not to visit again. It wouldn’t be a trip to a museum without a long browse in the gift shop; I had to resist major temptation to buy everything! I eventually settled on a postcard and a notebook featuring a drawing completed by Charlotte Bronte herself!
Not even the heavy rain and cold winds could ruin this day! If anything, the hostile weather made the experience of being inside the house all the more comforting and realistic, as it meant you could understand why the sisters spent so much time inside writing. What trip to Yorkshire would be complete without a short walk to a local café to sample the best tea and cake available, which also added to the quaint feel of the day’s outing!
“Anyone who finds themselves in Yorkshire should definitely visit Haworth, which is a lovely little village with so much to offer in terms of both culture, and of course photo opportunities”
Not being the types to let the weather stop us, we were crazy enough to make the short drive and then a further mile walk to the famous Bronte waterfall, where the sisters often went to search for inspiration and to enjoy the tranquility of nature. Whilst we didn’t quite get the same tranquility, due to the muddy hills and torrential rain, it was still a stunning place to visit.
Anyone who finds themselves in Yorkshire should definitely visit Haworth, a lovely little village with so much to offer in terms of both culture, and, of course, photo opportunities. However, Bronte addicts beware, as you may never leave the gift shop!
8/10
Lizzie Robinson
Image credits: Lizzie Robinson
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