• Wycoller Country Park - Begin the day with a picturesque drive through Cumbria, passing the charming market town of Kirkby Lonsdale and entering the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The first stop is at Cowan Bridge village to view the buildings that once housed the Clergy Daughter’s School, attended by the four Brontë sisters: Maria, Elizabeth, Charlotte, and Emily. The poor conditions and strict regime caused a scandal at the time, and although the sisters were removed from the school, it was too late for Maria and Elizabeth, who passed away shortly after returning home. This school inspired “Lowood” in Charlotte’s novel, Jane Eyre, and she never forgot the harsh treatment and unhealthy conditions she and her sisters endured there.

The journey continues through the stunning landscapes into Lancashire. Following Charlotte Brontë’s footsteps, the next stop is the quaint village of Wycoller, featuring its ruinous hall, which served as the model for Ferndean Manor in Jane Eyre. The village exudes character and atmosphere with two ancient bridges and a ford crossing Wycoller Beck. The guide will provide a tour of the romantically Gothic ruined hall and share the history of this tranquil village.

• Bronte Parsonage Museum - As the tour progresses through towns and villages, the guide will contextualize the surrounding countryside and the impact of the Industrial Revolution on the area. A local mill, a relic from the Brontë era, is visible en route to Ponden Hall. Due to time constraints, the hall can only be viewed from the outside. It is reputedly the inspiration for Thrushcross Grange, the home of the Linton family in Emily Brontë’s novel Wuthering Heights. However, it does not match the novel’s description and is more similar in size and appearance to the farmhouse of Wuthering Heights itself. Brontë biographer Winifred Gerin believed Ponden Hall was the original Wildfell Hall, the mansion where Helen Graham, the protagonist of Anne Brontë’s The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, fled from her husband. Ponden shares architectural details with Wildfell: latticed windows, a central portico, and a date plaque above. Visitors can decide for themselves which sister described it in her novel.

The journey then crosses the brooding Pennine Moors, a starkly beautiful area where the sisters would escape the industrial fumes from nearby Keighley and the emotionally charged atmosphere of the Parsonage in Haworth. Although there is no evidence that the now-ruined farmhouse on Top Withens inspired Heathcliff’s dwelling, locals and the Brontë Society suggest Emily likely envisioned its moorland setting when writing Wuthering Heights. She described it as: “One may guess the power of the north wind blowing over the edge, by the excessive slant of a few stunted firs at the end of the house; and by a range of gaunt thorns all stretching their limbs one way, as if craving alms of the sun.” It’s quite evocative when experiencing the moors in the wind and rain! While the moors can be viewed from the road, there isn’t enough time for a long walk before heading to the next fascinating destination, The Brontë Parsonage Museum.

• Haworth Parish Church - After visiting the Parsonage, the guide will lead a tour of the graveyard and village, where visitors can stroll down Haworth’s High Street, largely unchanged since the Brontës walked there 150 years ago. The Black Bull Inn, where Branwell drank himself to death, and the Apothecary, where he purchased laudanum, his other deadly addiction, are notable sites. Throughout the village, the guide will transport visitors back in time to the places and people the Brontës knew, walking in their footsteps to bring the area to life once more. The church, where the family vault is located, is also part of the tour, with all but Anne buried there.

This tour allows imaginations to run wild, breathing in the crisp moorland air and gazing over the wild, dramatic landscapes of “Wuthering Heights,” “Jane Eyre,” and “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.” Discover the freedoms and constraints, successes and failures, loves and losses experienced in Victorian England, a time that shaped the passionate, emotional, and tragic lives of the world’s most renowned literary family.

• Windermere - This is one of the pickup points
• Bowness-on-Windermere - Join the tour at Windermere
• Oxenholme - This is one of the pickup points
• Ambleside - Join the tour at Windermere

• 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

• Lunch

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
• No Children under the age of 7
• 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!

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.