The Brontes, Wuthering Heights And Jane Eyre

I had a wonderful day on the Brontë sisters tour from Windermere, and it was truly one of the highlights of my trip. Both Tim, our driver, and Gillian, our guide, were incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and engaging. They clearly knew the Brontës and the area inside out, and the tour was conducted so smoothly that everything felt effortless. Their stories and explanations made the places we visited come alive, making the whole experience both fascinating and enjoyable. The itinerary was also very thoughtfully planned and packed with interesting places, without ever feeling rushed. I learned so much and had such a memorable time throughout the day. I’m so glad I chose this tour. It was informative, enjoyable, and beautifully organised, and I’m sure it will be a tour I remember for a very long time. Highly recommended!

If your a Bronte fan this tour is a must do! Gillian was a wealth of knowledge on the Bronte family and Sandra was an exceptional driver as we toured many Bronte related sights in Yorkshire. A magical day where the Bronte family truly came alive for is. Thank you ladies for such a memorable day.

Jillian and Tom gave us the best Brontë tour ever. Each stop was personalized as Lisa talked us through all the sites. While on the van, she told us stories and answered all questions, which personalized the whole trip. I enjoyed the whole experience and learned far more than I ever thought I would. As an English professor, I found the trip to be exemplary. Thank you!

Gillian and Sandra were exceptionally knowlegible about the bronte family, there life and surrounds. These two ladies are historians and as so can explain everything there is to know about the sisters, brother, father, there books and personal details that are often entwined in there writing. Its very interesting and heartfelt due to the era early 19th centary Britain .. i would tour again with English lakes tours without a doubt. Dont miss this informative treat. . Many thanks lafies. Anne and Lesley

This tour exceeded my exceptions. I felt immersed in the Bronte's lives by the end of the tour. We visited sites that were thought to be included in their books, the moors, their town Haworth, their home, and much more. The quide was excellent and extremely knowledgable (with a PHD) about the Brontes' and the history of the area. I highly recommend this tour and the company. Also it was a small group and it was easy to interact with the guide.

Fantastic in depth look at the Brontë family and their literature. Highly recommend for any English literature enthusiasts!

I booked this tour with three friends and we all thoroughly enjoyed the day. Booking was easy and we were promptly picked up at Oxenholme before we were whisked away into Yorkshire. The bus was very clean and comfy and we had two other passengers (they only take 6 people on this tour) which made it very conducive to good conversation among everybody. Our guide, Gillian, was amazing and full of knowledge about the Brontes as well as the countryside we passed through, history, English literature, geology, local customs and all sorts of interesting things. Sandra, our driver made it look easy in both heavy traffic on the major roads and tiny single track lanes which I would never have driven down. We saw the moors which was very impressive and other places related to the Brontes along the way. The highlight was Haworth Bronte Parsonage. We never thought that we would get there and it was quite emotional. Thank you English Lakes Tours for an outstanding day.

I've ben on this tour before and this time it was even better! There were five of us in a very comfy bus and we had a great time from when we were picked up in Windermere until we arrived back there. Gillian's knowledge of the Brontes is fascinating and we talked all of the way to Haworth about literature, adaptations of novels, history, and of course the latest Wuthering Heights film by Emerald Fenell. Gillian even had loads of insights into that as well. FANTASTIC! We had several stops both out from Windermere and back from Haworth, all of them related to the Brontes in some way which is different from going to Haworth from York as the stops from there are more generic. The drive across the Haworth moors was incredible and brought everything I had read about the sisters and in the novels to life. We will be haunted by it forever (in a nice way). We really enjoyed Gillian's walk around the village, church and graveyard with the highlight being the Bronte Parsonage Museum. Our driver Sandra was awesome on the busy roads and tiny, narrow lanes and we were so glad we were not driving. She was so cool and unflappable. Lunch was in a very special place and at the end of the day we were tired but really happy. Well worth catching the train from London and staying in the Lakes for a couple of nights. I know I will be doing this tour again..and again...and again, just love it. Thank you ladies from English Lakes Tours for a truly fulfilling, memorable day.

A day that will always be remembered made so in great part by Gillian, a most phenomenal docent. Her literary background & birthright to this land combine to a most sincere & earnest leader of the day. i am so grateful to have been in her hands. To have been immersed in the land, equally harsh & magical, that so greatly helped create the Brontes... i am at a loss for words. Shout out to our driver Tim too - docent for Beatrix Potter (next on my list)! He so humbly drove us the 150miles of the day contributing marvelous detail as we went. English Lake Tours is a longtime tight committed group sharing their world with magnimity & brilliance. i cannot wait to return.

Brontë Tour - absolute fantastic! Very good guide, with profound knowledge of the writings and the lives of the Brontë Sisters. Took us to places related to their novels and shared with us a lot of Information. Small group! One of the best tours I‘ve done so far!!

Such great hopes my heroine Charlotte Brontës tour turned out to be an utter disaster; Like many I don't live in Windermere so booked the tour & train tickets plus hotel stay spending over £600.00 only to receive a cancellation text when I actually arrived in Windermere so less than 24hrs notice. Other clients cancelled so it wasn't economical to take 1 client, absolutely fine, but having a 24 hour cancellation policy impacts the other guests as they have no time to cancel their arrangements & recoup some of their monies so a lot of money was spent and lost unnecessarily- I was reimbursed for the tour £159.00 but lost a further £450.00 on hotel and train to Windermere, all because English lake tours have a ridiculous 24 Hour cancellation policy, great for the person cancelling but who cares about the other clients. Never again - my advice as Miss Fairfax cautioned Jane upon learning of her impending marriage to Rochester " I wished to put you on guard, all that glitters is not gold"folks stay at home - read Jane Eyre, Wuthering heights & Tenant of Widfell Hall or watch these classics on DVD because English lake tours are not to be trifled with.

Superb tour!!! Our guides, Gillian and Sandra, were welcoming, attentive, and clearly passionate about the Brontes!

Minibus arrived on time and both the guide and driver were very welcoming and knowledgeable. We spent a day travelling around the area were the Brontë sisters lived including a visit to the parsonage and the Brontë museum - I thought I knew a lot about the Brontes but I was amazed by the social history the guide explained which put all the novels into much clearer focus and context - I’m the Brontë lover and my husband came along to keep me company but we both thoroughly enjoyed the day - I absolutely recommend this tour!

This tour provided the context for the novels and poetry of the Bronte sisters. We visited places used by the Brontes in their writing. Our guide told us the stories of each location and explained how they influenced Emily, Charlotte and Anne. We visited their home, the moors and the church. I learned about the ghosts and superstitions of their day which increased my understanding of the Brontes. I thoroughly enjoyed the day with a small group. The guide was excellent in her narratives throughout the day. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who loves reading.

They canceled the morning of the trip! No explanation. Even though I had communicated with someone at 8:30 pm the night before. Also, I couldn’t download the ticket.

This tour covered beautiful countryside and charming villages. Our tour guide, Jillian, was interesting and a wealth of information. In addition to learning about the Brontë sisters we gained so much knowledge regarding what life was like in that area of England during their era. The tour was fascinating and our tour guide was excellent.

We loved our English Lake District Tour with Gillian and Sandra. The roads were scary narrow but Sandra did an amazing job and kept us safe. We were fascinated by the Bronte family parsonage and its proximity to the graveyard. We saw one of Charlotte's dresses and lots of other memorabilia. Gillian brought the sisters lives to life and the hardships of living in that place during that time. She showed us places and told us stories that fleshed out the books they wrote.

Our guides were fun people with whom to spend a day in Brontë country! They took us to places that inspired passages in the Brontë novels, and they talked about life in northern England, too. They brought up English history as we drove through the countryside. We learned a lot, and had a lovely day.

I can’t highly recommend this tour enough. If you are a Bronte fan, It’s a must. Even if you have never read their books but have at least seen the movie adaptions and want to know more about the Brontes take this tour. The guide Gillian is very knowledgeable and Sandra is very wonderful driver. If you are worried about the price don’t just splurge by taking this tour it is worth every penny. They will take you to places you might not know about or are hard to find if you are doing it on your own. Taking this tour took out any stress of driving or navigation expectably for us Americans. My friend and I did 2 weeks traveling the UK and this was our favorite tour.

‘Twas a day steeped in the legacy of the most illustrious literary family of England. We didst traverse the oppressive realms of industrial society, fraught with class divisions—the squalor, the inequity, and the harsh realities for women artistes. Yet, this hardship hath found a counterbalance in the elemental expanse of the moors, where the muse of art may unfurl her wings in unbounded liberty. The fervent affection the Brontë sisters hath shared doth their narratives illuminate, and their indomitable spirit shall a testament be to the triumph of art over the adversities that doth beset their existence. Our guides, the amiable Sandra and the erudite Gillian, hath given us a truly memorable experience, their captivating tales leaving an indelible mark upon our imaginations. We shall eagerly anticipate a return to display our dancing prowess in a Kate Bush dance upon the moors; we doth express our sincere gratitude for this day!

Tour was very interesting and covered a number of picturesque villages associated with the Brontes. Guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

Loved hearing the story about the Brontes. Driver and guide were awesome. Villages visited were authentic

Thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Gillian and Tim were so kind and informative. She was so knowledgeable about the lives and works of the Brontës, really bringing them to life for us! Despite the damp weather (welcome to the Lake District), overcast skies could not dampen their enthusiasm for the subject matter. Every stop we were regaled with stories of inspirations for the novels, life during the period, details of their lives/loves… It’s clear that a lot of time and effort has been been put into researching the subject matter so we can enjoy such an informative and entertaining excursion!

Gillian and Sandra were our wonderful hosts for the day. A thoroughly enjoyable, informative tour centred on the Brontë sisters history and writing including family background. The journey through the Yorkshire dales was breathtaking the weather providing atmosphere ! I really enjoyed the days tour, loved all the diverse discussions with Gillian, Sandra and fellow passengers. Culminating with the Parsonage visit in the beautiful Haworth. Highly recommend.

Me and my two daughters had the privilege to take this tour last week and it was so good! Gillian is a really good guide and Sandra drives like a pro (I'm so happy I didn't have to to it). I knew a little about Brontë family before the tour, but one off my daughter is really into the Brontë's. This was her dream and it was really enjoyable even for me and my other daughter. To see and experience all places related to the Brontë's was awesome. And to have two ladies with us, sharing their knowledge was amazing! They even share interesting facts about the country we were driving by, which we found very interesting. And when they realized one of my daughters had gotten a really bad reaction to insect bite they went out of their way to drive us by a pharmacy. I can't thank them enough! I truly recommend this tour!

19/6/2024 This tour was amazing! I am a huge Brontë fan, and I cannot tell you enough how much I enjoyed the day! Both our guide, Gillian, and out driver, Sandra, were warm and welcoming. She was extremely knowledgeable about the Brontë family and the time they lived in. The experience of seeing where the Brontë sisters lived are invaluable to truly understanding their work. This tour was the best part of our trip to England! Agnes

The whole experience was so informative and interesting. The knowledge provided by our guide Gillian was so rich and I'm left feeling very fulfilled. I loved that the experience was so immersive and intimate - it felt like going on a trip with people you've known forever. I highly recommend this tour if you're a Brontë fan or want to learn more about their lives. Thank you so much!!!

Gillian and Sandra (driver) were AMAZING!!!!! Loved this tour - Gillian was so knowledgeable and very considerate of us as guests. Sandra’s driving was excellent! We strongly recommend this excellent tour particularly if you enjoy the writings of the Brontë Sisters. We learned so much about the family and particularly enjoyed seeing the parsonage and church.

My daughter and I enjoyed touring the moors and seeing significant places from the Brontë family’s lives—-especially places that inspired the writings of the sisters.

The process was great with the experienced guide and driver. I hope you can arrange to visit the Yorkshire’ wild moors as the backdrop of Wuthering Heights which will be fantastic and give us the whole picture beside visiting Wycoller Country park in the future . Thank you

This was a fun and fascinating experience! Gillian and Sandra are knowledgeable and have great stories to tell. And Sandra is an awesome driver, managing narrow, windy roads with ease. I learned so much and particularly appreciated the depth of the discussion about Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, and visiting the locations that provided the inspiration for the settings of the books.

I have always been interested in the Brontes; for their tragic life stories and their literature so this tour was a wonderful opportunity to learn more and to walk in their footsteps. It didn’t disappoint. Our guide was very informative and shared our genuine interest and affection for the Brontë sisters. Not to be missed for Brontë fans or anyone who wants to see the beautiful landscapes and buildings along the way.

Loved this tour! A smaller group which definitely made for a more personal experience. Both our guide and driver very knowledgeable and informative about the local area and The Brontës, among other things! Lots of time to explore the sites and take pics, although I do really want to revisit the village. Really great day overall, would highly recommend.

Gillian and Sandra are wonderful, friendly and informative guides. The day flew by as I took in sights from the books and the home place of the Brontes. This was my first bus tour, and I'm so glad it was with English Lakes. Highly recommended, and looking forward to booking again.

What a wonderful day out, led by our brilliant guides Gillian and Sandra! The experience felt like a gathering of old friends, all sharing in our love of the Brontes and literature. But even if you aren’t a dedicated fan, Gillian’s ability to set the sisters’ lives and stories against the beautiful local scenery and the context of English history will enthrall you. Can’t wait to take the next tour with this company!

Really wonderful and memorable day. Our guide Gillian and driver Tim were terrific. The small size of the group (6) made for a more intimate experience than the larger tours. We appreciated Gillian’s level of knowledge about the Brontë family and her ability to contextualize the geography with their writing. Life long fans, we learned a lot about our favorite writers, so I’d recommend this tour for those who are fairly well versed in their writings. If you’ve just seen a movie or two, you’ll be bored. Pro tip: think about picking up a lunch to bring along, as on the day we went, the restaurant options were super slow and threw us off schedule.

Gillian, our guide, and Sandra, our driver, took us on a lovely tour of all things Brontë. It was awe inspiring to be in the landscape so eloquently described in their books, and Gillian brought it to life with her knowledge and stories. It was almost like talking to someone who had known Emily, Charlotte, and Anne personally. She put their lives and novels into context within the place and time. For someone who has researched and written about the Brontës, actually being in the locations that informed their lives and sparked their genius made it feel so much more real. My husband, who has never read the books, enjoyed the beautiful landscape and the interesting history of the area. I highly recommend this tour for Brontë fans!

This was an excellent tour. The guide, Gillian, was incredibly knowledgeable and knew about both the lives of the Bronte women how that connected to their writing. Selected stops along the way were chosen to enhance the story she told all day leading up to the tour of the Bronte parsonage and museum. Her tidbits of local lore and myth helped us get an understanding of the Bronte world and how it relates to the rest of the world at that time. We enjoyed lunch at a local spot and then walked the streets the Brontes would have walked before heading home. It was a wonderful day stepped back in time.

I booked this for my wife as a surprise special birthday treat. She was delighted when the bus arrived and she discovered that it was a day full of Bronte mania. There was another couple on the bus and a student so we all had a lot of conversation and laughter. The driver and guide were very good at what they do and made us all feel welcome and comfortable. According to my wife, they were very knowledgeable. She really enjoyed the day and | have to admit that even though I have never read anything by the Bronte sisters, it was a good day out. Would recommend, even if it is only for the "Brownie" Points with the Mrs! Thanks Gill and Sandra.

It was fantastic! Our guide was incredible and knows everything about all around the Brontë's and the environment they lived in. We've learnd a lot and enjoyed it a lot! I can highly recommend it.

I went on this tour with three friends and we are all great fans of the Bronte sisters. We only expected a basic type of day where we were left to wander about by ourselves. This tour wasn't like that though, it was much, much more and it was fabulous. We visited a ruined hall which was the inspiration for Mr Rochesters house in Jane Eyre and a place which featured in Wuthering Heights. The scenery was spectacular, the moors and villages so evocative! Gill was so knowledgeable and we had some facinating conversations, it was the best way to "do" the Brontes. We went to the Bronte Parsonage Museum and walked around Haworth with Gill painting the pictures in our imagination of what is was like for the Bronte sisters to live there. Amazing, all of it. Thanks to Gill and our fearless driver Sandra for a great day. Anyone who likes the Brontes should do this tour.

Fab day, fab tour guide Gilli, there is nothing that women dosent know about! Im normally chatty, but was in awe of her knowledge about the Brontes! The way Gilli told things i came away wishing i could have spent a day with Emily bronte! Sandra our great driver, thank you for getting us there & back safely. Also we were the only 2 on the tour, thank you for still going ahead xxxxx

Had the most amazing experience! Would definitely recommend to any literature fans or even just for sight seeing /for a better cultural understanding of the beautiful area !

My wife has Been a big fan of Emily Brontë, and when saw this tour is available, I knew I had to book. What an amazing experience it was! Gillian and Tim are the perfect people to go with for this historical tour. They have so much knowledge and info on even the minutest of details that one feels well taken care of and transported into the era of old England. Strolling through their village with Gillian telling tales of that era, was a walkthrough time. A must do if one is in Lakes district or surrounding area. truly a memorable experience.

I've been a Brontes fan since 1982, when I first read 'Jane Eyre', when I was 12. Wanted to visit the parsonage, not long after. I turned 50 recently, and thought it was time I did a Brontes pilgrimage. I absolutely loved it. It was a full day tour with kind, interesting and friendly people. Gillian had done her homework and reminded me of a lot of the information from when I used to read a lot on the Brontes' lives. Afterwards, I walked to the Moors, to eat my dinner, then to the Brontes' Falls. Finally, I walked up to the Top Withens house, said to have inspired Emily for 'Wuthering Heights'. My flight to the UK, from Australia, was worth all the effort. Getting up to Windermere was a hassle but it's so lovely around there. Stayed a night in Haworth, to spend a night where my beloved Charlotte lived.

This tour will live in my memory for as long as I live! It was the ideal way to visit Bronte country. Gillian is very knowledgeable, and has the rare gift of being able to communicate with people from different backgrounds with ease. Tim is an excellent driver and the transport was very comfortable. Not only did we learn a lot, and see so much, but we saw many places we would never have known to visit if we went without a guide. Each place came to life as we learned how and why it was part of the Brontes life. Haworth is a very pretty town, and it was amazing to learn how different it was in the time of the Brontes, and the effect this had on their life. You couldn't do better than choose this tour, and I highly recommend it.

Me and my family really enjoyed the Brontë parsonage it was very exciting as a fan of the Brontë sister to see what they did . You step right back into history.

I absolutely loved this tour and it really brings the Brontë story to life. The whole experience was absolutely gripping and Gillian the tour leader painted a vivid and haunting picture of the three sisters' lives (as well as Branwell and their father). I learnt a huge amount. It's also a wonderful way to learn - such a treat to be driven and not have to think about any logistics. The other thing that was so great about this tour is that the itinerary isn't just Haworth, but other locations that are also important to understanding the Brontës' lives and inspirations. I felt I was being given privileged access to insider knowledge. Hard to pin down what made it all so enjoyable, but Gillian and Tim's friendly and relaxed presence really added to this 5* experience.

I have taken a good number of tours that I have ranked as "excellent." But, in retrospect, none has come up to the standards set by Gillian and Time with the Bronte tour: 6 stars would be appropriate for this tour. They have 3 goals: (1) to give concrete reality to the events in the life of the Bronte family, (2) to reveal the real life background of the sites and buildings (several of which are included in the tour) and incidents in the sisters' novels, and (3) to make real the conditions of life during the Bronte's time. Gillian accomplishes these goals brilliantly with deep but simply presented scholarship. Learning about the conditions of life during the Bronte's time is shocking, almost incomprehensible, and would alone be worth the cost of the tour. You will long remember what you learn from Gillian on the tour!!