Keighley is a bustling town located in Bronte Country, due to its close proximity to Haworth, the village once home to the Brontes. The town has lots to offer visitors with its many attractions and the surrounding countryside.
The town’s industries have typically been in textiles, particularly wool and cotton processing. In addition to the manufacture of textiles there were several large factories making textile machinery.
Keighley and Worth Valley Railway
The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway is a heritage railway that was reopened in 1968 and runs from Keighley to Oxenhope through beautiful Brontë country. Board the steam train and enjoy the sound of the engine climbing the steep sides of the valley, while great clouds of steam and smoke add drama to the scene. The five-mile journey is a powerful reminder of Keighley’s industrial heritage and a unique way of enjoying the beautiful countryside immortalised by Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë.
The Railway hosts a number of events throughout the year including a Steam Gala, Elf Express and the ever-popular Beer and Music Festival.
The Railway is perhaps most famous for its role in the 1970 film version of Edith Nesbit’s story The Railway Children but over the years, the Railway has appeared in many TV and film productions. You can visit Rail Story at Ingrow and see the engines and carriages used in these films.
The Railway really does have something for everyone so why not give them a visit
Cliffe Castle Museum and Park
Part of Bradford District Museums and Galleries, Cliffe Castle was originally built in the 1880s as the home of Victorian millionaire and textile manufacturer, Henry Isaac Butterfield.
The completed house was a showpiece of international art and French decoration. It was the scene of many glittering social events, and Butterfield family connections included the Roosevelts of America and members of the court of Napoleon III – as reflected in some of the displays.
In the 1950s the Castle was bought by Sir Bracewell Smith, a local man who became Lord Mayor of London. Sir Bracewell commissioned architect Sir Albert Richardson to turn Cliffe Castle’s gardens into a grand public park and remodelled the Castle to be a free museum for the people of the district – which continues to this day, winning (and retaining) a coveted Heritage Green Flag award – the first in the district!
In recent years Cliffe Castle has undergone a series of restorations, inside and out with Victorian features in the park reinstated, and the breathtaking stained glass Butterfield Window on the Grand Staircase restored.
Visitors can see sparkling Victorian rooms, furniture paintings, and decorative art. There’s also galleries specialising in natural history, archaeology and social history, alongside the internationally important display of stained glass by Morris and Co.
Cliffe Castle hold regular events for all the family
East Riddlesden Hall
Imagine stepping back 400 years into the home of a 17th century cloth merchant. See the changes that he made and discover why they were sadly never completed. For generations after, the estate was a hive of farming activity producing enough milk, cheese and bread to adequately supply the household and its workers. Saved from demolition in 1933 by two local brothers, the hall was donated to the National Trust in 1934. Today, friendly volunteers bring the house back to life and share the fascinating stories that have made this special place an award-winning attraction.
Nestled around the lawns, you will discover a selection of fruit trees, fragrant roses and borders of ever-changing colours.
Children can let off steam in the natural play areas and get creative in the outdoor pie kitchen. The popular Discovery Garden, one of three distinct gardens within the grounds, now includes a ship, castle, and shop for under-fives. For those in search of adventure, various trails and dressing up will have young detectives searching high and low for clues.
Refresh your taste buds with a trip to the tearoom and enjoy a hot drink and a delicious slice of cake. Housed in the former bothy, the cosy tea-room retains traditional character and is complete with stone walls and a beautiful beamed roof.
The shop offers a wide range of gifts, souvenirs and plants. It’s the perfect place to pick up a treat to take home for yourself or a loved one.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/east-riddlesden-hall
Rail Story
Rail Story brings together two museums in the station yard at Ingrow West. Discover the Carriage Works, home of the Vintage Carriages Trust. Here you will see a fantastic display of restored railway coaches, many of which have been used in famous film and TV productions. Including, of course, The Railway Children which was filmed on the neighbouring Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, climb aboard the coaches and imagine the cameras are rolling! At the Engine Shed take a look behind the scenes and see engines under repair and being maintained.
From the beautifully restored station at Ingrow West, you can hop on or off the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, with a Day Rover ticket entry to the museums is free!
Keighley Bus Museum
Keighley Bus Museum is located at Riverside, Keighley, BD21 4JP. They hold regular events throughout the year including their Twilight Open Day.
The museum is open for regular viewing on weekends. Onsite refreshments are available along with toilet facilities. All of the collection of vehicles is on display to view along with visiting vehicles and a free to uses bus service linking Keighley town centre and all transport links to Keighley and more often than not a second route is available to ride on which changes from event to event.
Haworth
Rough, brooding moorland surrounds the charming village of Haworth, made famous by its former residents, the Brontës.
Haworth village is home to the Brontë Parsonage Museum, the former home of the literary Brontë sisters, whose famous works include Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. The Keighley Worth Valley steam railway also stops at Haworth on it’s journey between Keighley and Oxenhope, taking in the beautiful countryside. Excellent shops, restaurants and accommodation can also be found in and around the village and for those who like the outdoors there are endless opportunities to discover Brontë Country.
The village also has a varied events calendar, including the popular Victorian events in the run up to Christmas and the 1940s weekend held in May.
https://www.visitbradford.com/Explore/Haworth-and-Bronte-Country
