Such a beautiful blend of memoir, nature writing, and biography. I LOVED this piece Molly! Having driven through Haworth countless times (my husband's family are in nearby Halifax), I have always been captured by the rugged romance of the place. It can be wild up on the moors, the little village nestled below, and I find it somewhat awe-inspiring to walk the same streets and hilltop paths that the Brontë sisters must have been so familiar with. It makes me feel connected with them across time, somehow. Perhaps I will have to take a trip up to Top Withens next time we're passing through!
Ah Molly. I’m a huge Brontë fan and have visited the moors many times. The very first time I was there I had a strange experience while running around playing with my wee toddler. It was like an echoing voice. It really scared me. I can imagine Emily and her wild soul running around the moors. I believe she couldn’t have written Wuthering Heights without experiencing that kind of relationship, their father being a strict vicar, pot shot Patrick. Their mother Maria also wrote a book of poems. You’ve brought back many memories. ❤️
Top Withens is such a special place. And love this: "After a time, it felt I was the only person remaining. Living in my beloved story. One of cruelty. Hardship. Relentless misery. Yet also one of love, hope and perseverance. A story of what it means to be human."
We live in paradox and the wild, beautiful moors reflect that in every season. I chose the name of my first child on a walk here -- she's now 37 and all through the pregnancy I was certain I was having a girl and finding it hard to think of a boy's name. but at Top Withen's found 'Rowan'.
When Rowan was born, I simply recognised this small person as fully themself -- and laughed when the midwife asked if I minded that I'd had a boy afterall. Now Rowan is my daughter and Top Withens, which I haven't revisited since, holds even more memories of how much we live in paradox and ambiguity in being human.
“Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.”
What an incredible experience! As someone living on the other side of the world, I won't ever get to see places like this but your words truly gave me a wonderful taste of the place. A lovely share, thanks Molly!
A beautiful accounting of your adventure! I felt like I was walking through damp heather and watching the farmhouse get washed away in mist. I also would love to visit that sweet pottery café you mentioned one day!
How lovely! Wuthering Heights is my favourite book and inspired my second thriller, The Stolen Child, which is set on Ilkley Moor, where I grew up. But I hadn't been to Top Withens, so thanks for sharing and for your wonderful photos.
Thank you Molly, really enjoyed sharing your experience of Haworth Moor. It was too late in the day for us to walk to Top Withens but we did go a little of the way. I love the call of the curlew it is quite haunting isn't it. I was over at Corgarff Castle last year and loved the distant sound of the curlew. We also spotted a large group of them at Speybay recently in one of the fields. Sorry to hear they are in decline. I am still not sure about the book Wuthering Heights as they all seem to be such awful characters that I couldn't find one of them to like! I really like the 2011 film though, which is beautifully filmed.
How beautiful, Molly. "Wuthering Heights" stole my heart in the fifth grade and I'd always wanted to visit Haworth to see the inspiration of the wildness that inspired it. Thank you for sharing this lovely story.
Such a beautiful blend of memoir, nature writing, and biography. I LOVED this piece Molly! Having driven through Haworth countless times (my husband's family are in nearby Halifax), I have always been captured by the rugged romance of the place. It can be wild up on the moors, the little village nestled below, and I find it somewhat awe-inspiring to walk the same streets and hilltop paths that the Brontë sisters must have been so familiar with. It makes me feel connected with them across time, somehow. Perhaps I will have to take a trip up to Top Withens next time we're passing through!
Ah Molly. I’m a huge Brontë fan and have visited the moors many times. The very first time I was there I had a strange experience while running around playing with my wee toddler. It was like an echoing voice. It really scared me. I can imagine Emily and her wild soul running around the moors. I believe she couldn’t have written Wuthering Heights without experiencing that kind of relationship, their father being a strict vicar, pot shot Patrick. Their mother Maria also wrote a book of poems. You’ve brought back many memories. ❤️
Top Withens is such a special place. And love this: "After a time, it felt I was the only person remaining. Living in my beloved story. One of cruelty. Hardship. Relentless misery. Yet also one of love, hope and perseverance. A story of what it means to be human."
We live in paradox and the wild, beautiful moors reflect that in every season. I chose the name of my first child on a walk here -- she's now 37 and all through the pregnancy I was certain I was having a girl and finding it hard to think of a boy's name. but at Top Withen's found 'Rowan'.
When Rowan was born, I simply recognised this small person as fully themself -- and laughed when the midwife asked if I minded that I'd had a boy afterall. Now Rowan is my daughter and Top Withens, which I haven't revisited since, holds even more memories of how much we live in paradox and ambiguity in being human.
Childhood dream realised. So pleased for you. xx
“Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.”
-Pat Conroy
This is so beautifully written. It felt like the first few pages of a novel.
This is my 3rd sign to read Wuthering Heights ... I've never read it before but always wanted to. 🙏
Wonderful words.
Its nearly 50 years since me and my newly wed husband were there. Brought back a lot of memories. xx
What an incredible experience! As someone living on the other side of the world, I won't ever get to see places like this but your words truly gave me a wonderful taste of the place. A lovely share, thanks Molly!
A beautiful accounting of your adventure! I felt like I was walking through damp heather and watching the farmhouse get washed away in mist. I also would love to visit that sweet pottery café you mentioned one day!
I would love to go there!!
Ooh it sounds so good! I love this sort of tourism. Old houses recreated and old stone cottages. Lush! 💕🙌
lovely
How lovely! Wuthering Heights is my favourite book and inspired my second thriller, The Stolen Child, which is set on Ilkley Moor, where I grew up. But I hadn't been to Top Withens, so thanks for sharing and for your wonderful photos.
I’m so very jealous! How lovely!
Thank you Molly, really enjoyed sharing your experience of Haworth Moor. It was too late in the day for us to walk to Top Withens but we did go a little of the way. I love the call of the curlew it is quite haunting isn't it. I was over at Corgarff Castle last year and loved the distant sound of the curlew. We also spotted a large group of them at Speybay recently in one of the fields. Sorry to hear they are in decline. I am still not sure about the book Wuthering Heights as they all seem to be such awful characters that I couldn't find one of them to like! I really like the 2011 film though, which is beautifully filmed.
How beautiful, Molly. "Wuthering Heights" stole my heart in the fifth grade and I'd always wanted to visit Haworth to see the inspiration of the wildness that inspired it. Thank you for sharing this lovely story.