A magical gothic UK village is ‘well worth a visit’ and it’s teeming with independent shops, some with a spooky vibe. This ‘mysterious’ place was also home to three of the most famous British literary sisters of all time – and it’s a perfect weekend retreat away with an autumnal vibe.
Haworth in West Yorkshire will draw you into another time with its cobbled lanes and old alleyways, some which lead to an ancient church and graveyard where novelist sisters, Emily Brontë and Charlotte Brontë are buried. Younger sister Anne Brontë also lies at rest in the cemetery of St Michael & All Angels Church in Haworth, the three siblings wrote seven books, including Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. The village’s high street is full of ‘totally wonderful’ shops, including some with a magical witchy vibe, a ‘divine’ chocolate retailer and several unique gift and book stores to enjoy.
The ‘magical’ shops in Haworth are decorated for Halloween adding to the gothic feeling of the place – and the village is surrounded by stunning moorland and countryside.
Spooks of Haworth is a ‘spiritual emporium’ in the village, the shop sells crystals, gifts and offers tarot card readings. It first opened in 1983 in Haworth, the heart of Brontë Country.
One reviewer described this shop as ‘magical, mysterious, and totally wonderful’ set in a ‘beautiful gothic village, well worth a visit’.
Another ‘fabulous little shop’ is The Cabinet Of Curiosities in the village, described as a ‘little piece of heaven’ by one recent visitor who reviewed this treasure trove shop as ‘so interesting’.
“Every detail in the shop was very well presented, down to wrapping. It was like an adult sweet shop, of smelly stuff and other treasures”, the reviewer wrote.
The Haworth Artisan Market is also a top-rated village attraction on TripAdvisor, it’s only on one Sunday each month, but draws in lots of visitors and local people.
Also, edging the countryside that leads to the moorland is the Brontë Parsonage Museum – and this is well worth a visit if you are a fan of the Brontë sisters literature as this is where the family lived in the 1800s.
Exploring the surrounding Haworth Moors is possible on foot, but also by taking a trip on the historic Keighley & Worth Valley Railway which takes you on a journey on heritage steam trains.
You can even get an afternoon tea on board, one reviewer has said, after taking the rail journey three months ago with an all-day rover ticket on the heritage railway, described as a ‘very enjoyable day and highly recommended’.
The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway reviewer wrote: “Just had the traditional afternoon tea experience, absolutely blown away. Fantastic food, excellent service, in short a really brilliant day, when I felt I got full value for my money.”
“There is a nice selection of sandwiches, meringues/ macaroons and large scones with cream and jam.”