A Walk from Haworth 2015

Walk Leader:Steve Edwards
Distance: 10 Miles app
Total ascent: 1485ft

  

 

This walk visits some of the places and landscapes usually associated with the Brontë family.  Patrick Brontë was vicar in Haworth and his life was marred with tragedy outliving his son, five daughters and wife. Three of the daughters Charlotte, Emily and Anne are well known as poets and novelists.  Charlotte achieved renowned literary success with "Jane Eyre", Anne with "Agnes Grey" and Emily with "Wuthering Heights" all published in 1847.

The coach park has no toilets so we either take a brief walk back into the town before we set off, or use an opportunity on route to visit the loo.

Basically our route heads out of town, down and across Lower Laithe Reservoir, through the village of Stanbury and meanders through the fields to eventually start climbing onto Stanbury Moor towards Top Withins.  The track climbs steadily with improving views to emerge onto open moorland.

The ruined farmhouse of Top Withins is said by some to be Wuthering Heights but this is strongly disputed by experts.  We shall never know the truth but the scenery is certainly superb and in wild weather the location is probably full of literary promise with superb views of the surrounding moorland.  Hopefully a good spot for lunch.

Most people turn back for Haworth at this point, but we continue on for another half mile or so to reach the relative solitude of the less visited moors beyond the ruins.  We then head homeward via Dick Delf Hill and Oxenhope Stoop Hill towards Brontë Bridge and Falls which is reputed to be where the Brontë sisters spent quite some time.  The view is superb.

This walk hasn’t any real height to it, and the walking is good under foot, but some of the moorland tracks may be muddy and wet so it’s worth sticking on the gaiters if you have any.


If we maintain a fair pace we should be back in Haworth in plenty of time for a wander around plus tea and cake.