Yorkshire | West Yorkshire | Places Villages and Towns | Brontes in Pennine Yorkshire

Download a copy of your guide to 'Shirley Country' and uncover the history of the Bronte's in the villages and towns around the Spen Valley, setting for Charlotte Bronte's novel 'Shirley'. Published in 1849, Charlotte Bronte's novel Shirley caused quite a sensation. Local people had only just discovered that the quiet visitor from Haworth, parson's daughter Charlotte Bronte, was secretly the famous 'Currer Bell', author of Jane Eyre. Now they found themselves and their neighbours appearing in her latest novel.

Trace Charlotte's life and inspiration in sites across the Spen Valley and surrounding area, from historic Red House and Oakwell Hall to churchyards, pubs, hotels and mill sites.

Red House, Gomersal

Oakwell Hall, Birstall

Moor Lane House, Gomersal (Gomersal Park Hotel)

St. Peter's Church, Birstall

Healds Hall, Liversedge (Healds Hall Hotel)

Christ Church, Liversedge

Mary Taylor's Grave (St. Mary's Church, Gomersal)

St. Peter's Church, Hartshead

Dumb Steeple, Mirfield

All Saints, Dewsbury (Dewsbury Minster)