Bronte Sisters Literary Journey: Exploring the Lives and Works of Famous English Authors
5.0
25 Ratings
Windermere
Step back in time and explore the lives and works of the famous Bronte sisters on this captivating literary journey. Discover their hometown, visit the Parsonage, and immerse yourself in the rich literary heritage of Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Bronte.
Duration:
8 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Wycoller Country Park - We start the day with a scenic drive through Cumbria, past the market town of Kirkby Lonsdale and into the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Our first stop is at the village of Cowan Bridge to see the buildings which were once the Clergy Daughter’s School attended by four Brontë sisters, Maria, Elizabeth, Charlotte and Emily. The poor conditions and harsh regime caused a scandal at the time and although the sisters were withdrawn from the school, it was too late for Maria and Elizabeth who died shortly after returning home. The school was the inspiration for “Lowood” in Charlotte’s novel, Jane Eyre, and she never forgot the harsh treatment and unhealthy conditions the she and her sisters endured there.
Our drive continues amidst beautiful scenery into the County of Lancashire. Following in the footsteps of Charlotte Bronte, our next stop is at the tiny village of Wycoller with its ruinous hall, the model for Ferndean Manor in Jane Eyre. The village is full of character and atmosphere with two ancient bridges and a ford crossing Wycoller Beck. Your guide will show you around the Gothically romantic ruined hall and explain the history of this sleepy little village.
What's Included
- Small-group tour limited to 6 guests for a relaxed experience
- Travel comfortably in air-conditioned minivans with WiFi and charging points
- Enjoy regular stops for photos, refreshments, and comfort
- Entry to The Bronte Parsonage and Museum included
- Expert guides provide fascinating facts and stories in English
- Convenient central meeting points for departure and return
- All entrance fees for itinerary locations are covered
What's Not Included
- Lunch
Additional Information
Travel back in time and explore the universe of the Bronte sisters in this splendid Bronte Tour! Experience an engaging overview of the lives and literary works of Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Bronte, three remarkable figures in the arena of English literature. This enchanting tour includes a visit to the Parsonage where they resided, the Bronte museum, and other significant sites, offering you a comprehensive insight into the environment that nurtured these exceptional ladies. Knowledgeable tour guides will escort you around the Bronte’s hometown and relay absorbing anecdotes and unique understandings of their life stories and contributions. Whether you’re a dedicated Bronte enthusiast or merely appreciate English literature and history, this Bronte Tour promises an unforgettable journey. Hence, make your reservation today and soak in the profound literary legacy of the Bronte sisters.
- The time of pickup from Oxenholme train station is timed to meet the first train heading towards Glasgow from London Euston on Mondays to Saturdays
- The English Lake District weather can change quickly, even in the summer months. Please bring a waterproof coat with a hood in case of rain or windy weather
- As there is a little walking involved on the tour, some uphill and on uneven or wet terrain, please wear suitable, comfortable shoes
- Children under the age of 5 can travel on this tour but we do not recommend it
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- All passengers, including children of any age, must have a seat purchased for them
- We will collect you from the departure point linked to your chosen option. Please do not change to a different departure point without informing us in advance as we don’t automatically go to every departure point. If we don’t know you have changed your departure point we may not pick you up for the tour!
Location
Windermere
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(25 Ratings)
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Hongyanz940
Aug 28, 2023
It’s an unforgettable and pleasant journey - The process was great with the experienced guide and driver. I hope you can arrange to visit the Yorkshire’ wild moors as the backdrop of Wuthering Heights which will be fantastic and give us the whole picture beside visiting Wycoller Country park in the future . Thank you
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mary
Jul 30, 2023
Brilliant and fun! - This was a fun and fascinating experience! Gillian and Sandra are knowledgeable and have great stories to tell. And Sandra is an awesome driver, managing narrow, windy roads with ease. I learned so much and particularly appreciated the depth of the discussion about Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, and visiting the locations that provided the inspiration for the settings of the books.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Meander19537889087
May 28, 2023
Don’t miss out - I have always been interested in the Brontes; for their tragic life stories and their literature so this tour was a wonderful opportunity to learn more and to walk in their footsteps. It didn’t disappoint. Our guide was very informative and shared our genuine interest and affection for the Brontë sisters. Not to be missed for Brontë fans or anyone who wants to see the beautiful landscapes and buildings along the way.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lisa_d
Mar 18, 2023
Loved this tour - Loved this tour! A smaller group which definitely made for a more personal experience. Both our guide and driver very knowledgeable and informative about the local area and The Brontës, among other things! Lots of time to explore the sites and take pics, although I do really want to revisit the village. Really great day overall, would highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Nom353
Sep 2, 2022
Highly recommended - Gillian and Sandra are wonderful, friendly and informative guides. The day flew by as I took in sights from the books and the home place of the Brontes. This was my first bus tour, and I'm so glad it was with English Lakes. Highly recommended, and looking forward to booking again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Katia
Aug 4, 2022
The Brontes themselves would love this tour! - What a wonderful day out, led by our brilliant guides Gillian and Sandra! The experience felt like a gathering of old friends, all sharing in our love of the Brontes and literature. But even if you aren’t a dedicated fan, Gillian’s ability to set the sisters’ lives and stories against the beautiful local scenery and the context of English history will enthrall you. Can’t wait to take the next tour with this company!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hvane
Jul 26, 2022
A full day of Brontës - Really wonderful and memorable day. Our guide Gillian and driver Tim were terrific. The small size of the group (6) made for a more intimate experience than the larger tours. We appreciated Gillian’s level of knowledge about the Brontë family and her ability to contextualize the geography with their writing.
Life long fans, we learned a lot about our favorite writers, so I’d recommend this tour for those who are fairly well versed in their writings. If you’ve just seen a movie or two, you’ll be bored. Pro tip: think about picking up a lunch to bring along, as on the day we went, the restaurant options were super slow and threw us off schedule.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michelle2556
Jul 16, 2022
Brilliant! - Gillian, our guide, and Sandra, our driver, took us on a lovely tour of all things Brontë. It was awe inspiring to be in the landscape so eloquently described in their books, and Gillian brought it to life with her knowledge and stories. It was almost like talking to someone who had known Emily, Charlotte, and Anne personally. She put their lives and novels into context within the place and time.
For someone who has researched and written about the Brontës, actually being in the locations that informed their lives and sparked their genius made it feel so much more real. My husband, who has never read the books, enjoyed the beautiful landscape and the interesting history of the area.
I highly recommend this tour for Brontë fans!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Haidee_w
Jun 5, 2022
Excellent historic tour with knowledgeable guide! - This was an excellent tour. The guide, Gillian, was incredibly knowledgeable and knew about both the lives of the Bronte women how that connected to their writing. Selected stops along the way were chosen to enhance the story she told all day leading up to the tour of the Bronte parsonage and museum. Her tidbits of local lore and myth helped us get an understanding of the Bronte world and how it relates to the rest of the world at that time. We enjoyed lunch at a local spot and then walked the streets the Brontes would have walked before heading home. It was a wonderful day stepped back in time.
Review provided by Viator
Seandn7428my
Apr 22, 2022
Birthday treat - I booked this for my wife as a surprise special birthday treat. She was delighted when the bus arrived and she discovered that it was a day full of Bronte mania. There was another couple on the bus and a student so we all had a lot of conversation and laughter. The driver and guide were very good at what they do and made us all feel welcome and comfortable. According to my wife, they were very knowledgeable. She really enjoyed the day and | have to admit that even though I have never read anything by the Bronte sisters, it was a good day out. Would recommend, even if it is only for the "Brownie" Points with the Mrs! Thanks Gill and Sandra.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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