The Brontes, Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre
Overview
Available languages
8 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Step back in time and discover the world of the Bronte sisters on this Bronte Tour! This captivating journey takes you through the life and works of Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Bronte, three of the most famous writers in English literature. With a visit to the Parsonage where they lived, the Bronte museum, and other important landmarks, this tour provides an in-depth look into the world that shaped these incredible women. Expert guides will lead you through the Bronte's hometown and share fascinating stories and insights into their lives and works. Whether you're a fan of the Bronte sisters or simply a lover of English literature and history, the Bronte Tour is an experience you won't want to miss. So book your tour today and immerse yourself in the rich literary heritage of the Bronte sisters
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The time of pickup from Oxenholme train station is timed to meet the first train heading towards Glasgow from London Euston on Mondays to Saturdays
The English Lake District weather can change quickly, even in the summer months. Please bring a waterproof coat with a hood in case of rain or windy weather
As there is a little walking involved on the tour, some uphill and on uneven or wet terrain, please wear suitable, comfortable shoes
No Children under the age of 7
Children must be accompanied by an adult
All passengers, including children of any age, must have a seat purchased for them
We will collect you from the departure point linked to your chosen option. Please do not change to a different departure point without informing us in advance as we don't automatically go to every departure point. If we don't know you have changed your departure point we may not pick you up for the tour!
What To Expect
Wycoller Country Park
We start the day with a scenic drive through Cumbria, past the market town of Kirkby Lonsdale and into the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Our first stop is at the village of Cowan Bridge to see the buildings which were once the Clergy Daughter's School attended by four Brontë sisters, Maria, Elizabeth, Charlotte and Emily. The poor conditions and harsh regime caused a scandal at the time and although the sisters were withdrawn from the school, it was too late for Maria and Elizabeth who died shortly after returning home. The school was the inspiration for "Lowood" in Charlotte's novel, Jane Eyre, and she never forgot the harsh treatment and unhealthy conditions the she and her sisters endured there. Our drive continues amidst beautiful scenery into the County of Lancashire. Following in the footsteps of Charlotte Bronte, our next stop is at the tiny village of Wycoller with its ruinous hall, the model for Ferndean Manor in Jane Eyre. The village is full of character and atmosphere with two ancient bridges and a ford crossing Wycoller Beck. Your guide will show you around the Gothically romantic ruined hall and explain the history of this sleepy little village.
Bronte Parsonage Museum
As we move through the towns and villages, your guide will put the surrounding countryside and the impact of the Industrial Revolution on the area into context. We see one of the local mills, a survivor from the time of the Brontë's, up close on the way to Ponden Hall. As our time is limited, we only have time to view the hall from the outside. It is famous for reputedly being the inspiration for Thrushcross Grange, the home of the Linton family, Edgar, Isabella, and Cathy, in Emily Brontë's novel Wuthering Heights. However, it does not match the description given in the novel and is closer in size and appearance to the farmhouse of Wuthering Heights itself. The Brontë biographer Winifred Gerin believed that Ponden Hall was the original of Wildfell Hall, the old mansion where Helen Graham, the protagonist of Anne Brontë's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, fled from her husband. Ponden shares certain architectural details with Wildfell: latticed windows, a central portico and date plaque above. We will let you decide for yourselves which sister described it in her novel. From here, our journey takes us across the brooding Pennine Moors, a bleak and beautiful place where the sisters would wander to escape the industrial fumes from the chimneys of nearby Keighley and the emotionally charged atmosphere of the Parsonage in Haworth. Although there is no evidence that the now ruined farmhouse on Top Withens was the inspiration for Heathcliff's dwelling, locals and the Brontë Society say Emily was most likely thinking of its moorland setting when she wrote about Wuthering Heights. Describing it, she wrote: "One may guess the power of the north wind blowing over the edge, by the excessive slant of a few stunted firs at the end of the house; and by a range of gaunt thorns all stretching their limbs one way, as if craving alms of the sun." Pretty strong stuff when you are out there on those actual moors in the wind and the rain! Although we can experience the moors from the road, we don't have time to walk very far before moving on to our next, fascinating destination, The Brontë Parsonage Museum.
Options
Windermere Departure 9:00am
Starting point: Windermere LA23, UK
Oxenholme Departure 9:22am
Starting point: Oxenholme, Kendal LA9, UK
What‘s Included
Relaxed and friendly small-group tour of no more than 6 guests
Comfortable minivans with air-conditioning, WiFi and charging points for most mobile devices
Regular photo / refreshment / comfort stops
Entry into The Bronte Parsonage and Museum is included in the price
Professional Guides share their expertise of all the fascinating facts and stories in English
Departure and return to convenient, centrally located meeting points
All entrance fees for locations on the itinerary are included
We do stop for lunch but the cost of the food and drink is not included
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
49 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Brontë sisters
Fran P,May 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Fantastic in depth look at the Brontë family and their literature. Highly recommend for any English literature enthusiasts!
An outstanding day with two lovely local guides and driver who made it very special for us.
jinnyh383,May 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I booked this tour with three friends and we all thoroughly enjoyed the day. Booking was easy and we were promptly picked up at Oxenholme before we were whisked away into Yorkshire. The bus was very clean and comfy and we had two other passengers (they only take 6 people on this tour) which made it very conducive to good conversation among everybody. Our guide, Gillian, was amazing and full of knowledge about the Brontes as well as the countryside we passed through, history, English literature, geology, local customs and all sorts of interesting things. Sandra, our driver made it look easy in both heavy traffic on the major roads and tiny single track lanes which I would never have driven down. We saw the moors which was very impressive and other places related to the Brontes along the way. The highlight was Haworth Bronte Parsonage. We never thought that we would get there and it was quite emotional. Thank you English Lakes Tours for an outstanding day.
Done this tour before and am sure I will do it again-ITS GREAT!
joshG2452BS,Apr 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I've ben on this tour before and this time it was even better! There were five of us in a very comfy bus and we had a great time from when we were picked up in Windermere until we arrived back there. Gillian's knowledge of the Brontes is fascinating and we talked all of the way to Haworth about literature, adaptations of novels, history, and of course the latest Wuthering Heights film by Emerald Fenell. Gillian even had loads of insights into that as well. FANTASTIC! We had several stops both out from Windermere and back from Haworth, all of them related to the Brontes in some way which is different from going to Haworth from York as the stops from there are more generic. The drive across the Haworth moors was incredible and brought everything I had read about the sisters and in the novels to life. We will be haunted by it forever (in a nice way). We really enjoyed Gillian's walk around the village, church and graveyard with the highlight being the Bronte Parsonage Museum. Our driver Sandra was awesome on the busy roads and tiny, narrow lanes and we were so glad we were not driving. She was so cool and unflappable. Lunch was in a very special place and at the end of the day we were tired but really happy. Well worth catching the train from London and staying in the Lakes for a couple of nights. I know I will be doing this tour again..and again...and again, just love it. Thank you ladies from English Lakes Tours for a truly fulfilling, memorable day.
To be so near!
Inspire06374108284,Feb 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A day that will always be remembered made so in great part by Gillian, a most phenomenal docent. Her literary background & birthright to this land combine to a most sincere & earnest leader of the day. i am so grateful to have been in her hands. To have been immersed in the land, equally harsh & magical, that so greatly helped create the Brontes... i am at a loss for words. Shout out to our driver Tim too - docent for Beatrix Potter (next on my list)! He so humbly drove us the 150miles of the day contributing marvelous detail as we went. English Lake Tours is a longtime tight committed group sharing their world with magnimity & brilliance. i cannot wait to return.
For Brontë-Fans a Must!
Birgit V,Oct 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Brontë Tour - absolute fantastic! Very good guide, with profound knowledge of the writings and the lives of the Brontë Sisters. Took us to places related to their novels and shared with us a lot of Information. Small group! One of the best tours I‘ve done so far!!
Not to be trifled with - English lake tours
66paget,Aug 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Such great hopes my heroine Charlotte Brontës tour turned out to be an utter disaster; Like many I don't live in Windermere so booked the tour & train tickets plus hotel stay spending over £600.00 only to receive a cancellation text when I actually arrived in Windermere so less than 24hrs notice. Other clients cancelled so it wasn't economical to take 1 client, absolutely fine, but having a 24 hour cancellation policy impacts the other guests as they have no time to cancel their arrangements & recoup some of their monies so a lot of money was spent and lost unnecessarily- I was reimbursed for the tour £159.00 but lost a further £450.00 on hotel and train to Windermere, all because English lake tours have a ridiculous 24 Hour cancellation policy, great for the person cancelling but who cares about the other clients. Never again - my advice as Miss Fairfax cautioned Jane upon learning of her impending marriage to Rochester " I wished to put you on guard, all that glitters is not gold"folks stay at home - read Jane Eyre, Wuthering heights & Tenant of Widfell Hall or watch these classics on DVD because English lake tours are not to be trifled with.
alexisrH8947PT,Jul 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Superb tour!!! Our guides, Gillian and Sandra, were welcoming, attentive, and clearly passionate about the Brontes!
Great day - full of facts
Henry B,Jun 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Minibus arrived on time and both the guide and driver were very welcoming and knowledgeable. We spent a day travelling around the area were the Brontë sisters lived including a visit to the parsonage and the Brontë museum - I thought I knew a lot about the Brontes but I was amazed by the social history the guide explained which put all the novels into much clearer focus and context - I’m the Brontë lover and my husband came along to keep me company but we both thoroughly enjoyed the day - I absolutely recommend this tour!
A Day with the Brontes.
Leonie P,Jun 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour provided the context for the novels and poetry of the Bronte sisters. We visited places used by the Brontes in their writing. Our guide told us the stories of each location and explained how they influenced Emily, Charlotte and Anne. We visited their home, the moors and the church. I learned about the ghosts and superstitions of their day which increased my understanding of the Brontes. I thoroughly enjoyed the day with a small group. The guide was excellent in her narratives throughout the day. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who loves reading.
Cancelled without notice the day of the tour.
Margaret S,Jun 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00They canceled the morning of the trip! No explanation. Even though I had communicated with someone at 8:30 pm the night before. Also, I couldn’t download the ticket.
Related Experiences
Operated by English Lakes Tours