Rambling tour of Brote

HALTON Ramblers’ latest coach walk went on December 22 to Haworth, West Yorkshire, a beautiful village famous for its association with the Bronte sisters.

The sisters, Charlotte, Emily and Anne were active in writing in the first part of the 19th century with Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall being their most famous works.

All are now considered masterpieces and their home, the Bronte Parsonage, is now a museum and Grade One listed building.

A ruined farmhouse, Top Withens, is said to have been the inspiration for the setting of Wuthering Heights and is very popular with tourists and walkers. Also nearby is the station used in the film The Railway Children.

Haworth village is based around Main Street where there are shops, pubs and tea rooms overlooked by outstanding views of the surrounding countryside and wild and rugged moorland.

The A group, led by Eric Fenney, left the bus early to start their walk near Hebden Bridge.

They then followed parts of the Calderdale Way, Pennine Way and Bronte Way on their route to Haworth. They covered about 13 miles with 2,100 feet of ascent.

Marj Halliday led her B walk for a distance of around 10 miles and with 1,700 feet of ascent. Starting from Haworth they headed for Oxenhope via the Bronte Way, crossing the railway and following a route around Leeming reservoir.

They then progressed up to Bentley Hey, Brow Top road and Worth Way. Following this it was on to Oakworth and the route back to Haworth.

The C walk was about 8 miles long with about 1400 feet of ascent, starting in Haworth and heading south on the Oxenhope path.

The walkers crossed the Keighley and Worth Valley railway, visiting the station on the way.

They then started their