Things to do and places to go Bronte Country

To Do

Walk The Calderdale Way: this 50 mile circular route around the Calder Valley takes in Hebden Bridge and is one of the most popular local routes either for walking. You can do it in small sections or as a more serious two day hike.

Stubbing Wharf Cruises at Hebden Bridge provide scenic, family-friendly cruises down the canal, including speciality kids cruises and Pirate Parties.

Piece Hall: Halifax was well-known as a centre of England’s woollen manufacture from the 15th century onward, originally dealing the cloth through the magnificent, 18th century, Piece Hall. It prospered during the industrial revolution and this success led to the construction of many spectacular public buildings, which fortunately survived the 1960s when so many city centres were raised to the ground. It was home to the first Building Society, The Halifax, now owned by LLoyds and also to the famous toffee manufacturer, Mackintoshs, the popular brand of Quality Street is still made here.

There are many exciting galleries, including Dean Clough Art Galleries, which also feature the Henry Moore Studio. Dean Clough’s Viaduct Theatre also has some fantastic performances put on by Northern Broadsides company (pictured left). The Victoria Theatre is a fine example of historic architecture and presents some brilliant performances and gigs. Further afield is the West Yorkshire Sculpture Park at Bretton, which has some world famous Henry Moore pieces on display around the park.

If you are one of our younger visitors you may want to take a trip to The National Children’s Museum, which is the first and foremost hands-on children’s museum in the UK and is designed especially for 0-11 year olds. Visit their website for more details.

The National Media Museum in Bradford is devoted to film, photography, television, radio and the web. Check out the films playing on the five-storey IMAX screen. Discover what’s on in the gallery spaces and exhibitions. Catch up with our annual film festivals. Click here for the list of what’s on.

The Bronte Parsonage: Situated above the Worth Valley amid the rugged Pennine moors, Haworth is internationally famous for its connection with the Bronte sisters, who were born in Thornton (near Bradford), but who wrote most of their famous works while living at the Haworth Parsonage (which is now a museum owned and maintained by the Bronte Society), while their father was parson at the adjacent Haworth church.

Discover Holmfirth near Huddersfield. Best known for its Last of the Summer Wine connections, there is far more to discover in the Holme Valley. Quiet villages sit in this picturesque valley, which cuts deep into the heather moorland of the Peak District.

Keighley and Worth Valley Railway: The steep gradient up the Worth Valley from the Keighley terminus has been a challenge for locomotives ever since the line opened on 15th April 1867. Many of the woollen mills that once stood close to the line have been demolished, but the five mile journey is a powerful reminder of our industrial heritage, as well as being a unique way of enjoying the beautiful countryside made famous by Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë. When British Railways closed the line in 1962, local people and railway enthusiasts joined forces to save it. Over the years, the Railway has appeared in many TV and film productions including Yanks, Sherlock Holmes, Last of the Summer Wine, Treasure Hunt, Sons and Lovers, Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em, Poirot, Born and Bred, The Royal, Where The Heart Is, A Touch Of Frost, Songs Of Praise, and Pink Floyd’s The Wall. The railway has many events throughout the year, ideal for a family day out including the fabulous Santa Train in December.

Royal Armouries Leeds: This museum is home to Britain’s national collection of arms and armour, the Royal Armouries Museum houses a world-renowned collection of over 75,000 objects. Check out the weapons and armour of warriors through the ages from early medieval knights to the modern-day soldier. Discover treasures from around the globe – explore the Ottoman Empire, the Wild West, Europe, Japan and India. Wonder at the fabulous arms and armour of the Japanese shoguns, the royal houses of Europe and the kinds of England including Henry VIII who reigns supreme in our newly refurbished Tournament Gallery. A fascinating FREE day out for the whole family. Open 10am – 5pm daily.

Saltaire Salts Mill & 1853 Gallery: Salts Mill is set in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Saltaire. The Grade II Listed historic mill building was built in 1853 by Sir Titus Salt along with the village to house his workers. The whole area is of architectural and historical interest and Salts Mill is home to one of the largest collections of David Hockney’s art. On the ground floor you will find the 1853 Gallery which houses a permanent exhibition of works by David Hockney.

Shibden Hall: Shibden Hall was the home of the noted 19th Century diarist Anne Lister. The Hall, dating originally from circa 1420, is a distinctive half-timbered building furnished in the styles of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, adapted and extended throughout the centuries by the families who lived here. An important 17th century aisled barn houses a folk museum, with a collection of horse-drawn vehicles, while in the outhouses is a collection of 19th century craft tools relating to rural industries and examples of traditional trades and crafts.

Shibden Hall is set in a 32 hectares of informal park and woodland. Enjoy the boating lake, ride on the miniature railway, play on the pitch and putt course or the new children’s play area -suitable for all abilities. The grounds also offer footpaths, an orienteering course and a permanent dry stone walling exhibition – a fine example of this fascinating craft.