The Bronte Way

Location: Yorkshire; Lancashire

OS Maps: Explorer 288; OL 21

The 72km Bronte Way enjoys an absorbing theme, linking a host of locations associated with the lives of the Bronte family. The route stretches from Oakwell Hall near Birstall in Yorkshire to Gawthorpe Hall near Padiham in Lancashire. Despite the exemplary theme, walkers with absolutely no interest in the Brontes will still find this a facinating and thoroughly enjoyable walk.

The route of the Way embraces a remarkable variety of surroundings from canal towpath to windswept moor, including historic fieldpaths linking old textile settlements, and surprising wooded valleys so near urban communities such as Coley Beck and Thursden Brook. The central section crosses the backbone of England, the Pennine watershed linking Yorkshire and Lancashire. These moorland miles can be extended to bring in memorable detours, notably to the atmospheric setting of Top Withins, the commonly enduring image of Emily's 'Wuthering Heights' and also to the bristly crest of Boulsworth Hill, perhaps the Way's finest landmark.

The Way naturally visits Haworth, where the Parsonage, now a museum, was home to the Bronte family. It also visits Wycoller Hall which was used in the novel 'Jane Eyre' as Ferndean Manor.

	Guide Books: [Click for further information or to purchase]
	The Bronte Way by: Paul Hannon.This well illustrated and concisely described guide leads along every step of the route, with supporting background information and the addition of several recommended detours. Highly accessible walking through the heart of the Pennines, with the moorland village and literary shrine of Haworth at the centre. From Oakwell Hall in Yorkshire to Gawthorpe Hall in Lancashire, four practical sections explore the celebrated 'Bronte Country'.
	The Bronte Way by Marje Wilson. This guide is aimed primarily at those who wish to complete the route over a period of time and describes the route in eleven circular walks. The sections of the Bronte Way covered by each circular walk are as follows: Oakwell Hall to Hartshead Church; Hartshead Church to Bailiff Bridge; Bailiff Bridge to Shelf; Shelf to Thornton; Thornton to Denholme; Denholme to Haworth; Haworth to Ponden; Ponden to Wycoller; Wycoller to Thursden; Thursden to Netherwood Bridge; Netherwood Bridge to Gawthorpe Hall.