Most people arrive in Haworth for the Brontës. They walk up the cobbles, visit the Parsonage, admire the moorland view, and then leave. And that’s perfectly fine, but it barely scratches the surface. Haworth in 2026 is having a genuine moment, with Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights (starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, released February 2026) reigniting global interest in the village and the moors that inspired it. Whether you’re visiting for the literary pilgrimage, the steam railway, the walks, the food, or all of the above, this guide covers everything worth knowing about one of Yorkshire’s most popular tourist spots.
Getting to Haworth
By Train and Steam Railway
By far the best way to arrive in Haworth is via train. From Leeds, take a mainline train to Keighley and from there, connect onto the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway – a heritage steam line that runs directly into Haworth Station. Your journey through the Worth Valley countryside will take around 15 minutes, and the scenery is absolutely beautiful. Running since 1867, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway is one of the finest heritage railways in England.
By car
The narrow and winding streets of Haworth make parking a tad difficult unless you use one of the village’s pay-and-display car parks. They all get busy on weekends, so be sure to get there early if able. The Bronte Village Car Park is the largest with 300 spaces, but you’ll find further parking at the Bronte Parsonage Museum, Haworth Railway Station and on Gas Street. The postcode for the village centre is BD22 8DR.
Yes, Do the Brontë Parsonage – Here’s What to Expect
The Parsonage is a Georgian house where Patrick Brontë served as curate and where his daughters Charlotte, Emily and Anne spent most of their lives. Emily wrote Wuthering Heights at the dining room table here in 1847, so the museum is firmly back in the spotlight since the release of the new film.
With the parsonage still housing the sisters’ personal possessions, furniture, and manuscripts, it offers a more intimate and moving glimpse into the past than most other literary museums do.
The current exhibition (running until January 2027) is Haunt Me Then… and Now, exploring over a century of Wuthering Heights adaptations on screen, including the 2026 Emerald Fennell film.
Standard entry tickets for the Brontë Parsonage (exhibition included) are priced at £15 (concessions available) and should be booked online in advance if planning a weekend visit. Opening times vary seasonally but at the time of publishing are Wednesday – Monday (closed Tuesdays) from 10am until 5pm. Allow 1-1.5 hours to explore the museum fully.
The Wuthering Heights 2026 Connection
Wuthering Heights (2026) was primarily filmed across the Yorkshire Dales National Park, with key scenes shot in Swaledale and Arkengarthdale, particularly around the Old Gang Mill ruins near Reeth, which doubled as the exterior of the Wuthering Heights estate. Cathy’s windswept wedding scene was filmed near Bouldershaw Lane in Swaledale.
Haworth itself wasn’t a primary filming location for Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights, but it’s where the story was born. Emily Brontë lived and wrote in Haworth. The moors above the village, the ruined farmhouse of Top Withens, the churchyard at St Michael and All Angels, all helped shape the novel, and they haven’t really changed. If you’ve seen the film and want to understand what Fennell was working with, Haworth is definitely the right place to start.
Avid fans of the film may recall Margot Robbie wearing a replica of Charlotte Brontë’s mourning bracelet – a piece featuring garnets set in a strap that was woven from what is thought to be the hair of her deceased sisters, Emily and Anne. The original is on display at the Brontë Parsonage Museum alongside other examples of Victorian mourning jewellery.
The Keighley & Worth Valley Steam Railway
The KWVR runs vintage steam and diesel trains through the Worth Valley between Keighley and Oxenhope, with Haworth as its midpoint stop. It’s one of the most complete heritage railways in England, as the full 4.5-mile line, all five stations and all the infrastructure are original. The Railway Children (1970) was filmed almost entirely on this line, with Oakworth Station as the main location.
Services run most days, but I do recommend checking the timetable seasonally. Steam engines run primarily on weekends and during school holidays, with diesel services midweek.
The railway runs regular themed dining events, including afternoon tea trains (sandwiches, cakes, unlimited tea) and the Haworth Haddock – local fish and chips served aboard a moving steam train, which is just as enjoyable as it sounds. These run on weekends with tickets available for the Pullman Car and the Restaurant Car. Certainly book well ahead for dining trains as they do sell out.
Walk the Cobbled Main Street
The climb up Main Street is steep enough that the village has installed a handrail on one side, so wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for a climb! At the top, you’ll find the Parsonage and churchyard sitting quietly at the end. On the way up to the top, where the Parsonage and churchyard sit quietly, the street is lined with independent shops perfect for casual browsing and for picking up a few mementoes. Rose & Co. Apothecary is a Haworth institution selling beautifully scented goods in Victorian-style packaging. Cabinet of Curiosities sells an eclectic array of quirky objects and unusual gifts. Wave of Nostalgia is a delightful bookshop celebrating strong women, LGBTQ+ voices and conservation.
The Black Bull pub sits partway down. This was Branwell Brontë’s favoured haunt, where he spent countless hours drinking and holding court and is undoubtedly the most photographed pub in the village.
The Moors Walks – From Easy to Epic
The Brontë Waterfall Walk
This is the classic Haworth walk – under 3 miles on public footpaths, moderate difficulty with some uneven ground. Start from the village (park near the Parsonage or the railway station), cross Penistone Hill and drop down to a small, pretty waterfall and the Brontë Bridge, a packhorse bridge the sisters crossed regularly. It’s suitable for older children and most adults, though wellies or walking boots are recommended. Allow 1.5–2 hours for this walk.
Top Withens
The more ambitious walk, the Top Withens route, is around 4 miles from Haworth village and back, with a significant climb onto the open moorland. Top Withens is a ruined farmhouse widely believed (though never definitively confirmed) to have inspired the Earnshaw home in Wuthering Heights. The ruins are modest, but the landscape surrounding them is incredible – wild, open and genuinely elemental. On a clear day, you can see for miles from up there, but during the typical Yorkshire wind and rain, it becomes something else entirely. Allow 2.5–3 hours. Good boots are essential.
Penistone Hill Country Park
The gentler option, ideal for families, dogs and anyone seeking a short, leisurely walk that still offers stunning scenery.
This route explores the open access moorland just above the village, offering sweeping views of the Worth Valley without the need for a serious hike. The landscape is a patchwork of old quarry workings and wild grasses, providing “big sky” vistas that feel remote despite being minutes from Haworth. The circular loop around the hill is relatively level and takes around 45 minutes to complete.
Where to Eat and Drink in Haworth
The Hawthorn
103-109 Main Street, Haworth, Keighley BD22 8DP
The undisputed heavyweight of the Haworth food scene right now. It’s a refined gastropub that manages to feel both high-end and homely. The seasonal menus are great, but the Sunday roasts are a must! Think slow-roasted shoulder of Swaledale Lamb or dry-aged heritage breed topside served with all the traditional sides.
Haworth Old Hall
Sun Street, Haworth, Keighley BD22 8BP
If you’re looking for the quintessential Brontë country atmosphere, this 16th-century manor house is it. With roaring log fires, heavy stone walls, and local cask ales, it’s pretty much a sanctuary on a wet moorland day, so perfect for that post-walk treat. The food is hearty, unpretentious, and designed to be eaten next to a roaring fireplace.
The Old White Lion
6-10 West Lane, Haworth, Keighley BD22 8DU
A 300-year-old coaching inn perched proudly at the top of the famous cobbles. It’s exactly what a village pub should look like- solid, reliable, and full of history. They serve classic British plates alongside Timothy Taylor’s ales, and if you’ve overindulged on the latter, the rooms upstairs are some of the most comfortable in the village.
Haworth Steam Brewery
98 Main Street, Haworth, Keighley BD22 8DP
For something a bit more “now,” this micro-bar and bistro on Main Street delivers a contemporary edge. They pair their own craft beers with a brilliant all-day menu featuring tasty brunches, pub classics, a selection of skewered meats and their super popular Yorkshire Pudding Skillets. As the home of Miss Mollie’s Gins, it’s only right that you wash down your chosen dish with an excellent G&T.
The Black Bull
119 Main Street, Haworth, Keighley BD22 8DP
You can’t really visit Haworth without stopping where Branwell Brontë spent most of his adult life. Recently refurbished, it manages to lean into its dark literary history without feeling like a tourist trap. There’s live music, a full bar, and a genuine atmosphere that makes you feel the weight of the years. It’s a must-visit for the story alone, but definitely worth considering for a bite to eat, too. You’ll find all the classics on the menu, like Beer Battered Fish & Chips and Gammon Steak, alongside more contemporary offerings such as Crispy Thai Beef and Greek Style Chicken Gyros.
Cobbles & Clay
70 Main Street, Haworth, Keighley BD22 8DP
Established in 2006, Cobbles and Clay is both a cafe and a pottery painting studio. Whilst the main draw for tourists is the indoor activities, locals also appreciate it as the go-to for breakfast, artisan sandwiches, and a variety of vegan and gluten-free options. The pottery painting at your table is a genius move, though – you paint while you brunch, and they fire and post it to you a week later. It’s the perfect rainy-day retreat for families. DO NOT miss the sweet treats as they are exceptionally good. Cinnamon Sticky Bun, Maple Pecan Pie Traybake, Chocolate Hazelnut Praline Torte….oh my!
Haworth Events Worth Knowing About
1940s Weekend: 2–3 May 2026
The village effectively becomes a time capsule for this weekend, transforming into a living wartime scene. You’ll find vintage military vehicles parked on the cobbles, swing bands playing in the streets, and hundreds of re-enactors in meticulous period dress. It is easily one of the most atmospheric events in West Yorkshire. While most of the “people watching” and street markets are free to wander, there are usually ticketed dances and special events in the evenings that are worth booking.
Haworth Steampunk Weekend: May & October 2026
Imagine the Victorian era colliding with science fiction, all set against the perfect backdrop of Haworth’s steep, cobbled Main Street. This weekend is a masterclass in costume design, featuring everything from brass goggles to elaborate mechanical wings. With live entertainment, specialised markets, and a general sense of whimsical spectacle, it is a dream for photographers and anyone who appreciates a bit of creative eccentricity.
KWVR Beer & Music Festival: 15–18 October 2026
This isn’t your standard beer tent; it’s a five-mile festival that runs the entire length of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. You’ll find dedicated bars at Oxenhope, Ingrow, and Keighley stations, but the real highlight is the on-board bars serving real ale as you steam through the countryside. With live music at the stations and a brilliant, social atmosphere, it is an absolute standout event that justifies a dedicated trip.
Christmas in Haworth: December 2026
Haworth does Christmas exactly how you’d hope an old Yorkshire village would. Throughout December, the weekends are packed with festive markets, late-night shopping, and the famous torchlight parade. The combination of the twinkling village lights and the smell of mulled wine on the cobbles makes it one of the most authentically “Christmassy” experiences in the region. If you’re planning to stay over, you’ll need to book your accommodation months in advance.
Staying in Haworth: Where to Bed Down
The village has a great range of accommodation for its size. If you want to stay in the heart of the action, The Old White Lion (at the top of the cobbles with 14 en-suite rooms) and Haworth Old Hall (a characterful 16th-century manor house) are the most atmospheric options within the village itself.
For those looking to follow in the footsteps of the 2026 Wuthering Heights stars, the standout choice is Holdsworth House Hotel. Located just 20 minutes from Haworth, this Grade II listed Jacobean manor actually hosted Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi during the production of Emerald Fennell’s adaptation. The hotel currently offers a dedicated Brontë Country Escape Package, which includes an overnight stay, breakfast, and tickets to the Brontë Parsonage Museum. It is the perfect blend of A-list history and 17th-century charm.
How Long Do You Need in Haworth?
The Half-Day (3–4 Hours)
If you are just passing through, you can easily include the Brontë Parsonage Museum, a walk up the steep cobbled Main Street, and a quick lunch at Cobbles & Clay. You should also have enough time to browse the independent bookshops and apothecary-style boutiques, but it may feel a tad rushed.
The Full Day
This is the best option for a first visit. You’ll get the village essentials mentioned above, plus enough time for any of the suggested walks. Cap it off with a proper sit-down dinner at The Hawthorn or Haworth Old Hall for the full experience. Make it a Sunday so you can indulge in a proper Yorkshire roast.
The Overnight Stay
This is how you see the “real” Haworth. Staying over unlocks Top Withens at dusk or dawn, when the light on the moors is extraordinary, and the crowds have mostly vanished. You can take a proper steam railway journey on the KWVR without watching the clock. More importantly, you get the village after the day visitors leave, which is when the atmosphere is at its peak – essential if you are visiting for the 1940s Weekend or the Christmas festivities.
