A novel way to take in Brontë country

On my first visit to the village, I must say I was not impressed.

Perhaps it was the amount of tourists begrudgingly elbowing their way up the steep, cobbled street in the rain with complaining infants hanging on behind.

Or maybe it was the unwelcoming comments in the first available car park, from which I soon made a hasty exit after reading the warning of a clamping regime operating in the area.

I can’t say, but I became restless and all I wanted to do was to get out into those astounding Pennine hills.

Before I did leave, I had a look at the church and the Parsonage Museum, using the car park adjacent to it. I explored the home of the Brontë family and could appreciate their novelist skills written in days of poor light and sanitation problems in Haworth.

However, I came here to ride out across the high moors, be exhausted by the terrible ascents, thrilled by the exciting descents and enjoy the unrivalled views across the South Pennine Range.

I imagine, the Brontë sisters having similar feelings for the hills while seeking inspiration for their famous novels, but probably not on a bicycle.

The Pennines certainly are inspirational, especially the ride across the edge of Oakworth Moor and the even more inspiring ride across to Hebden Bridge where awesome views never end.

Where there are hills, you will usually find reservoirs in the valleys and as you cycle across to Stanbury and beyond you will encounter two fine examples which are teeming with wildlife.

Ponden Reservoir was built in the 1870s and was used to supply water to mills in the Worth Valley, but now it supplies drinking water to the Keighley area. Water sports are allowed on the reservoir which is controlled by the Ponden Watersports Club.

Lower Laithe Reservoir was started in 1912, but, because of the war, was not finished until 1925. It holds 281 million gallons of water and it also supplied water to the Worth Valley.

The construction of the reservoir involved bringing stone from Penistone Hill which was carried down the valley by a narrow gauge railway.

So let us mount up, attack the Pennine Hills and enjoy the grand scenery.

Your route

Go left out of the car park and left again at the T-junction, then continue for a few metres to the main road. Turn right here into North Street to cycle along downhill and shortly look out for a zebra crossing.

Not far past the crossing, the main road bends to the left. Turn right here at the sign for Oxenhope keeping Hall Green Chapel on your left and the Howarth Old Hall Inn on your right. The Oxenhope sign is small so be vigilant. The road you enter is cobbled to start with so be careful.

Cycle along Sun Street and soon reach open countryside. You will find lots of ascents and descents now as you enjoy views across the Pennines.

Pass through a small village, then continue along until you reach crossroads. Go right here signed to Stanbury.

Climb now with steep ascents and descents all the way to the Lower Laithe Reservoir. Enjoy the views across the water, then cycle along to soon reach a T-junction, go left now signed to Stanbury and Colne.

Cycle through Stanbury village and past the Wuthering Heights Pub and soon you start a steep descent which takes you to the Ponden Reservoir. Watch out for gritty corners and potholes along here.

Ride along the valley, then start to ascend again. After a short ride, keep an eye out for a small road on your right that doubles back. Turn right here, signed to Keighley, and continue climbing.

As the road flattens out, enjoy grand views to the reservoirs in the valley and further across to Haworth and Keighley in the distance.

Continue along for some time eventually passing the Grouse Inn, or stopping for refreshment, keeping on the main road, and after a while descend towards Oakworth.

On the outskirts of the town, watch out for a narrow road on your right called Tim Lane – don’t miss it or you will descend steeply into Oakworth.

Take care cycling along the narrow Tim Lane and watch out for tight, slippery corners. This road is very steep at times, both descents and ascents – beware. Eventually you climb into Haworth.

At the crossroads turn right, then take the next turn left at the brown sign for Brontë Parsonage Museum to return to the car park

The facts

Distance – 10 hard miles/16km
Terrain – Severe ascents and descents
Best map – OS Outdoor Leisure 21
Start/grid ref – Haworth, gridref: 029374
Parking – Car park adjacent to Bronte Parsonage, do not use the one on the main road for fear of being clamped
Refreshments – Choice only ashort walk from the car park along the old Haworth street
Public toilets – Near the car park

View a map of the cycle ride>>