The Brontė Trail - September 5-10, 2010
Introduction
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In search of the Brontės.
Wild, heather-clad moorland, ruined farmhouses and the remote parsonage where the young Brontės' creativity was nurtured make a stark, striking backdrop to this Walk in one of Britain's most evocative literary landscapes.
In Yorkshire we explore Haworth village and the Brontė Parsonage Museum, trek to Top Withens Farm (Wuthering Heights), walk along the Pennine Way and learn more about the Brontės ' lives at a pre-dinner talk by expert Ann Dinsdale.
In Derbyshire we enjoy spectacular views from Stanage Edge, passing several locations from Jane Eyre including North Lees Hall, before a guided tour of Haddon Hall (the BBC's location for Thornfield Hall).
Walk Summary
The walk begins in Haworth, with arrival at Keighley Railway Station and ends in Chatsworth, with a departure from Chesterfield Railway Station.
Walk Itinerary
Sunday
We rendezvous at Keighley Railway Station for a private transfer to Haworth and our hotel, an historic coaching inn that overlooks the cobbled main street. Before we have our Welcome Meeting and Dinner, we have a short walking tour of the old village of Haworth accompanied by a local historian.
Monday
This morning we begin with an exclusive, private one hour tour of the Brontë Parsonage Museum. We walk to the ruins of Top Withins Farm (Wuthering Heights) and along the Pennine Way to lunch at the Old Silent Inn. This afternoon we join the Brontë Way and pass Ponden Hall (Thrushcross Grange in Wuthering Heights) and on to the traffic-free village of Wycoller to find the ruins of Wycoller Hall (Ferndean Manor in Jane Eyre). This evening, we enjoy a pre-dinner talk by a Brontë expert and learn about the family's life and the local social conditions in the mid-nineteenth century.
Tuesday
After a short bus transfer, our walk starts in the small town of Oxenhope above the Woath Valley and takes us to lunch at The Pack Horse Inn on the famous Pennine Way. A path along Hebden Dale takes us 
through the National Trust woods of Hardcastle Crags to the former classic mill town of Hebden Bridge, now a thriving bohemian arts & crafts center known as 'one of the world's funkiest towns'. We transfer to our hotel at Holdsworth, near Halifax.
Wednesday
From our hotel we take a morning walk along the Calderdale Way, through Upper Brockholes and along Jerusalem Lane to Luddenden Dean. We lunch at the Lord Nelson, a 17th century inn and Bramwell Brontë's favorite watering hole. We transfer to Bakewell to taste some delicious Bakewell Tart before checking-in at our riverside hotel nearby.
Thursday
We transfer to Hathersage Church and Vicarage where Charlotte Brontë stayed for the summer, followed by a circular walk to take in the spectacular views from Stanage Edge passing Moorseats House (Moor House in Jane Eyre) and North Lees Hall (home to the Eyre family). After lunch in Hathersage, we transfer to Haddon Hall (Thornfield hall in the BBC adaptation of Jane Eyre) for a private guided tour before returning to our hotel via Bakewell.
Friday
This morning we visit Chatsworth House, home of Deborah (nee Mitford) Dowager Duchess of Devonshire. After lunch we transfer to Chesterfield Railway Station and say Farewell.
This itinerary represents a typical Walk. We prepare itineraries well in advance of the trip and therefore we reserve the right to make changes due to weather, local events or other circumstances - but always to improve the experience of our guests.
Hotels
To see the complete list of hotels, please login or register.
Ashford-in-the-Water
Bakewell
Derbyshire DE45 1QF
T: +44 (0)1629-814-275
W: www.riversidehousehotel.co.uk
Relaxed, charming and unpretentious best describe the beauty of this countryside Inn. Nestled quietly in the banks of the River Wye in its own exquisite gardens, the Riverside is indeed a haven of tranquility.
Equipped with ensuite bathroom, TV, telephone, phone point for internet access, hairdryer, iron & ironing board, fresh coffee & milk, the bedrooms are a pleasant combination of chic comfort and practical luxury. The hotel has two restaurants each offering an imaginative menu, creative in style and flavour using the freshest of produce. There is no internet access available to hotel guests.
This hotel list is a provided as an example. We may use different hotels of the same quality and style on specific trips. The Wayfarers will notify confirmed travelers of any changes to the hotels.
Photo Gallery
Travel Information
Before & After Your Walk:
- Enjoy a train ride on the Keighley & Worth Valley Steam Railway
- Delve into an amazing archive of information on film, photography, television, radio and the web in the National Museum of Media & Photography in Bradford
- Explore Harrogate's heritage with a visit to the Royal Pump Room Museum and take in the sights of the Low Harrogate Spa Trail
- Visit the beautiful city of York, renowned for its exquisite architecture, tangle of quaint cobbled streets, a vibrant café culture and the iconic York Minster
- See the stunning underground scenery in the caverns of The Peak District. Deep underground, with their crystal stalactite and stalagmite formations, the caverns provide illuminating shelter in rainy weather and a refreshing change when it’s hot
Weather
Temperatures usually range from around 45º to 65ºF (7º to 18ºC) in spring/autumn and from 60º to 70º F (15º to 21ºC) in summer although it can rise to around 80º F (27ºC) on some days. You are likely to need a light jacket or sweater in the evenings. Rainfall is unpredictable but occurs all year round and can be heavy, even in summer. Equally there can be long spells of warm dry weather so you will need to bring clothing to accommodate all situations
To see more Travel Information and a list of our recommended tips please register or sign in. Once you confirm a booking for this walk, as a registered website member, you will be able to access detailed Joining Instructions including exact arrival and departure points and times as part of the Travel Information.
FAQs
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Are there any hidden costs?
Our Vacations do not include the cost of air or rail fares to and from the destination or tips for your walk leader and manager. -
How large are the Groups?
Our maximum group size is 16, but groups average between 8-12 people. -
Will I feel welcome as a single traveler?
Yes! Our walks are the perfect environment of comfortable camaraderie for the single traveler. -
Can you accomodate special diets?
Yes! -
How physically fit do I have to be to do a Wayfarers Walk?
If you are in good health and reasonably fit you will be comfortable participating in a walk.
Ask a question
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Reading List
The Brontës at Haworth by Ann Dinsdale, with photographs by Simon Warner, is published by Frances Lincoln. ISBN 0711225729
Ann Dinsdale will be giving a talk to our groups. Bring your copy of the book along for her to sign!
What's Next?
At this point we would like to thank you for looking at our website, we hope you will have seen a little of the places we walk to, hotels we stay in and that we have answered some of your questions.
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