The village was home to two very famous sisters
People at the Haworth Steampunk Weekend(Image: PA)
A charming village boasting cobbled lanes and a rich history makes for the perfect cosy retreat once autumn rolls in. During October, Haworth transforms with eerie decorations and illuminated pumpkins lining the streets, creating a scene straight out of a classic family Halloween film.
Nestled within the Yorkshire countryside, Haworth was the former residence of the Brontë sisters: Charlotte, Emily and Anne, whose surrounding moorlands provided inspiration for Emily’s novel Wuthering Heights. Their ancestral home has been converted into a museum, cementing Haworth’s status as an essential stop for enthusiasts of English literature.
The village’s acclaim is thoroughly warranted, with independent bookshop Wave of Nostalgia earning recognition from The Bookseller as the finest in northern England.
Inside the Brontë Parsonage Museum, guests can view a precious artefact: a miniature manuscript written by Charlotte Brontë herself in December 1829.
Shopping in Haworth
Beyond its literary heritage, the village offers a charming collection of independent shops and cafés along its main street. With its cobbled roads, famous parsonage and windswept moors, this Airedale settlement boasts a wealth of historic character that remains beautifully preserved.
Mrs Beighton’s Sweet Shop is a must-visit, featuring more than 500 traditional British confections, while Haworth Wholefoods provides a distinctive grocery experience with regional produce and organic goods.
Keeping with the village’s nostalgic charm, H and L Fashions offers French and Italian clothing for men and women in a petite, vintage-style boutique.
For something truly unique, The Cabinet of Curiosities delivers a museum-like shopping experience, its mahogany interior, antique glass globes and eclectic displays transporting visitors to another era.
Around Halloween, Spooks of Haworth, the oldest esoteric bookshop in the North of England and aligned with “psychic phenomena supplies” offers tarot card sessions for tourists and locals in search of a otherworldly experience.
The cobbled streets are littered with pumpkins and warm strung lights above your head, making a simple stroll through the area feel almost dreamlike.
Positioned beside the Yorkshire Dales, Haworth enjoys access to rolling hills and unspoiled rural scenery. The Keighley Worth Valley steam railway also stops at Haworth on its journey between Keighley and Oxenhope for a scenic countryside journey.
Steampunk weekend
Every year since 2013, Haworth has held a Steampunk Weekend where striking and unique costumes fill the streets alongside dancers, drummers, games and unique activities and events.
What Hayworth lacks in size it more than makes up for in rich history, cultural experience and whimsical atmosphere. If you’re on the hunt for a cosy autumn getaway around Halloween, Hayworth has you covered.
