We feel the seasons pretty harshly in Manchester, and when it comes to autumn and winter, it’s often pretty miserable. One way we like to turn that frown upside down is by taking a lovely day trip, because, well, the grey doesn’t feel quite as bad when you’re surrounded by sweet cottages, lovely shops or sweeping views. One such place to visit is Haworth in West Yorkshire, which is primarily known for being home to the Brontë sisters in the 19th century, but more than that, it’s the perfect autumn getaway, and a village often compared to the beloved Stars Hollow of Gilmore Girls fame.
What’s particularly enchanting about the fictional Stars Hollow is it has that ability to feel cosy in any season, what with its countless twinkling lights, the quaint buildings and community feel, and the willingness of its people to celebrate pretty much any holiday or event – think the Winter Carnival, Spring Fling, Thanksgiving celebrations, the Festival of Living Pictures… the list goes on. Although Haworth doesn’t necessarily provide an English carbon copy of this New England, Connecticut fantasy, it doesn’t half give us the cosy feels during the autumn.
Overlooked by the rugged but beautiful Yorkshire Moors, Haworth has that ‘time slip’ feel, with cosy Yorkshire stone cottages, cobbles running through most of the village, and quaint shops, cafes and pubs glowing with warmth. From luxurious hand made chocolates, to art galleries and an array of places to eat and drink, there’s plenty to tempt you as you stroll up and down the cobbled Main Street.
The Keighley Worth Valley steam railway also stops at Haworth on its journey between Keighley and Oxenhope, taking in the beautiful countryside, and of course, if you fancy learning a bit more about why Haworth is nicknamed Brontë Country, you can pay a visit to the Brontë Parsonage Museum, bringing that dark academia, autumn vibe to your trip.
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, so you can really tell how proud Haworth is of its past and how it retains its charm.
As Halloween rears its head, Spooks of Haworth emerges as a destination perfect for the season, a niche bookshop aligned with “psychic phenomena supplies” and it even provides tarot card sessions. Alternatively, browse the retro attire available at The Souk – maybe you’ll find some perfect vintage bits for the autumn season.
In a fairly Stars Hollow turn of events, Haworth also has a pretty unique tradition of its own – the Torchlight Parade Weekend. Every early December, the community gathers to light their wands, walking through the village lighting up the skies – this year it’s on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December, if you fancy seeing it for yourself.
Like many things, TikTok has absolutely bolstered the popularity of Gilmore Girls some 20 years since it first aired – I’d like to point out that I, amongst many, have loved it for a good while, thank you very much – and as such, creators have been finding alternatives to Stars Hollow in their own countries, so a spike in interest for somewhere like Haworth can probably be attributed to that.
One example comes from TikTok user @amyloves.xo, who’s caption reads: “a perfect autumnal day out in October” – and honestly, it’s everything we want from an autumn day out.
Of course, there are plenty of other reasons to visit Haworth, but since it’s under a two hour drive from Manchester city centre, why not give it a visit this autumn and see what you can find?