Yate Cottage

Oxenhope Village

Oxenhope is situated at the head of the Worth Valley, nine miles from Bradford, some four miles from the town of Keighley and a mile and a half from the Bronte Village of Haworth. The district is noted for its moorland scenery, its rich historical and industrial heritage, its literary associations, proximity to the Pennine Way and to the Yorkshire Dales. One of the best ways to approach Oxenhope is from Denholme on the B6141. There a breathtaking view is revealed of heather topped hills, peat moorland and the reservoir in the distance. Oxenhope is nestled in a Y shaped valley which protects and shelters it from some of the vagaries of the weather which can be cold and windy in winter, very Wuthering Heights! However, nothing can beat the beauty of this area on a warm summer’s day, with the wealth of birds and wildlife to be enjoyed. The valley has been preserved as a green belt and conservation area. Accessible to both walkers, cyclists and motorists, there are numerous tourist attractions such as the Keighley and Worth Valley Steam Railway, historic market towns within easy reach and a wealth of traditional pubs and restaurants to suit all tastes. There is also a well stocked Co op, post office, Pharmacy and the Green Room which offers a range of beauty treatments.

Haworth

Famous for the Bronte sisters who wrote some of greatest novels in the English language, the former family home (1820) is now run as an independent museum, the Bronte Parsonage Museum, which is located on Church Street in Haworth. The museum holds a large and unique collection of Bronte furniture, personal effects, books and literary remains and is well worth a visit. http://www.bronte.org.uk/visit

Haworth Main Street retains many original features including a cobbled road; cottages that line Main Street are still occupied as family homes with a significant number of buildings converted to independent shops, cafes and restaurants. There are several pubs in the village including the Black Bull which Branwell Bronte is reputed to have frequented on a regular basis.

Worth Valley Railway

The Worth Valley railway was originally opened as a branch line in 1867 to enable mill owners from the villages of Oxenhope, Haworth, Stanbury and Oakworth to connect to Keighley and the Aire Valley Railway to transport the cotton produced in the mills. The passenger line was closed in 1961. A group of railway enthusiasts established the Worth Valley Preservation Society and after a number of years of hard work established the Keighley and Worth Valley Steam Railway, which is enjoyed by countless visitors and railway enthusiasts. Oakworth station was used in the filming of The Railway Children in 1970. Steam trains and locomotives run from Oxenhope to Keighley during the school holidays and at weekends, and it is a great way to savour a slower pace of life and a local beer. The steam railway runs many events throughout the year including ‘The Railway Children Experience’, ‘White Rose Pullman’ Dining Trains, Tour de France weekend 4th-7th July 2014 and a number of Beer Festivals. Check http://www.kwvr.co.uk for full details and train times.

Saltaire World Heritage Site

Saltaire is located 9 miles from Oxenhope and is well worth a visit, named after Sir Titus Salt who built the large textile mill and the village on the River Aire. In December 2001 Saltaire was designated a world heritage site by UNESCO. Saltaire isn’t a monument but a village where people live, Salts Mill has a fantastic gallery housing permanent exhibitions by David Hockney and visiting exhibitors, restaurants and independent shops. http://www.saltsmill.org.uk  Telephone: 01274 531163.

Bradford

Bradford is within easy driving distance of Oxenhope, 9 miles and offers some fantastic visitor attractions including:

Museum of Film and Photography which has 7 floors of galleries with permanent exhibitions focusing on photography, television and animation.

Alhambra Theatre is regarded as the North’s premier touring venue and hosts a wide range of performing arts, ballet, opera, comedy, drama and musicals. Find out what is on at http://www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

Bradford offers a range of fantastic authentic curry houses, all within walking distance of the city centre.