Haworth - Heart of Bronte Country

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Spy Mission around historic Haworth, where Agents are recruited as top spies to outwit jealous villagers who have built a giant fan to blow tourists away from the Brontes' home village, solving the clues and shutting it off before their identities are exposed.

The operation is 1.6 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete. You'll start outside Haworth Steam Railway Station, tackle the long hill up to the village centre, investigate Central Park, Main Street, the Parsonage car park area and St Michael and All Angels Church, then loop back down towards the railway station area via Main Street, the left path down the hill and Butt Lane.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The route uses clear footpaths and pavements in places, but it also includes steep hills, steps in the park, cobbles, a short section with no pavement and a gravel path.

Cross roads and the zebra crossing carefully. Some stretches run beside a main road, there is a busy road to cross after the bridge, and extra care is needed around traffic, cobbles, the road split and the section with no pavement. Around St Michael and All Angels Church, keep close to the church and avoid going off the path beside the railings.

Getting There

By car: Start your mission outside Haworth Steam Railway Station (BD22 8NJ). The recommended parking is Haworth Steam Railway Station car park (BD22 8NJ). Gas Street nearby (BD22 8NQ) is an alternative and is recommended as much cheaper.

By public transport: Make your way to Haworth Steam Railway Station, then begin the operation outside the station.

Need the Loo?

Useful comfort stops can be found in the park next to Clue 06 and at the Parsonage car park just after Clue 11.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Agents can join this mission. 🐾

The route includes steep hills, steps in the park, cobbles, a gravel path, stretches beside a main road, a busy road crossing after the bridge and one section with no pavement, so keep canine recruits close around traffic and take care under paw on uneven sections.

Food & Drink Stops

Espionage is hungry work, and Haworth has supplies in the right places. Cafes, shops and pubs are along Main Street between Clues 07 and 10 and again between Clues 17 and 19, giving your squad a couple of chances to refuel during the operation.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

Your mission begins outside Haworth Steam Railway Station, so the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway is a natural extra for transport-loving Agents. Planning for the railway began in 1862, when the 15 mile line was expected to take a year to build. It actually took two years, with delays including quicksand and even a cow eating the plans at Oakworth. Oakworth station famously featured in both of The Railway Children films.

Central Park

The route passes through Central Park, taking you past the bandstand and towards the round wooden building in the top left corner. It is a proper pause in the mission as well as a green breather from the village streets.

Bronte Parsonage Museum

Haworth's Bronte connections are never far from this mission. A miniature book written by Charlotte Bronte at the age of 14 was bought by the Parsonage Museum at auction for £666,790 in 2019. The Bronte sisters' first published book was 'Poems by Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell', using male pseudonyms, and it sold just 2 copies.

Haworth's Historic Village Centre

Main Street gives this operation plenty of historic atmosphere, with The Old Sun and The Black Bull both named along the route. Keep your spy eyes open for the stone heads mentioned at The Old Sun and the secret code on a sign at The Black Bull, then enjoy the village centre at a slower pace once the giant fan plot has been foiled.

Optional detour: Top Withens

If your Agents are planning a longer outing, Top Withens can be reached by following the Bronte Way, though the Augusta Wind Way is far less travelled. Treat this as an optional extra rather than part of the main 1.6 mile mission.