Top Withins — Attraction in Bradford

We walked up from the waterfall through what I assume to be lots of colourful autumnal gorse (which I loved), watching Top Withens grow slowly closer. Such a sad and lonely ruin, and yet very commanding and impactful. Indescribable moment to have made it, though I was secretly miffed we'd missed the thunderstorm the day before. What's risking a bit of death in the name of the Gothic? :p We were lucky to have some time with it alone before others had shown up, but it was sweet there being so many of us who had a special connection with the Brontës. Pretty sure the trees were whispering secret magical things amongst themselves too :p

Only negative was the idiot shooting squad we saw on our way back. Killing living creatures shouldn't be fun, get...

Fantastic local walk with loads of different scenery to keep you interested. Note for dog walkers - there are a lot of sections of this walk where dogs are to be kept on lead and there is threatening signs that say your dog could be shot at if it is not on a lead. This was quite unsettling for us seeing as our dog is a working dog and much better off lead than on. We waked from Haworth, up the Bronte way and then back along the pennine way. The walk is lovely and the pathways well maintained which also makes it very popular. We went on a pretty damp Sunday and the first part of the walk, up to the waterfall, was heaving! After that it does get quieter and the view from Top Withens is definitely worth putting up with the tourists for...

Beautiful place. Just come and see for yourself what inspired the Brontë children to create and imagine such stories and poetry back in the 1800s and continues to breathe it's magic over every traveller and passers by even in today's completely different world. You might huff and puff a bit on the way but take your time. Stop. Breathe in the smells. Absorb the scenery and the drama of the surroundings and then wend your way onwards to sit for a while and enjoy it all. You won't regret carrying on past The Brontë Falls which is a worthy destination on it's own. Oh... and take a picnic and drinks. I also stay so late all the tearooms back in Howarth are hanging up their closed signs! Mind you... there's always the...