Where Were the Brontës Born?
Though often associated with their later home at the Brontë Parsonage in Haworth, the Brontë siblings—Charlotte, Branwell, Emily, and Anne—were born at the former parsonage on Market Street in Thornton. This unassuming house is where their remarkable lives began and holds a special place in Brontë history as the birthplace of these renowned authors.
Patrick Brontë and his wife, Maria, moved to Thornton in May 1815 with their two young children, Maria and Elizabeth. They lived there until 1820, when they relocated to Haworth. During their time at the Thornton parsonage, Patrick and Maria welcomed the births of Charlotte (1816), Branwell (1817), Emily (1818), and Anne (1820).
Campaign to Save the Sister's First Home
Despite worries that the property would be bought by developers and stripped of its identity, a crowdfunding campaign has managed to raise the funds to secure the property, with plans to reopen to the public after several years of closure.
The newly formed Brontë Birthplace Campaign, driven by local enthusiasts and supporters worldwide, launched an ambitious effort to keep the birthplace open to the public. The campaign attracted over 700 individual investors and raised significant funds, including grants from Bradford City of Culture 2025 and the Community Ownership Fund, which together contributed over £650,000.
One of the donors, Nigel West—a distant relative of Charlotte Brontë's husband, Arthur Bell Nicholls—made a "significant contribution" to the campaign. The house is now officially under public ownership, a first in its 200-year history.
Brontë Birthplace Limited, a committee dedicated to the restoration of the birthplace building, has taken on the responsibility of managing and restoring the property. Plans are underway to complete renovations in time for Bradford City of Culture 2025, allowing visitors to walk in the footsteps of the famous Brontë family.
Future visitors will be able to sit beside the original parlour fireplace in a community café and may even stay in the rooms where the Brontë children slept. The preservation of the birthplace ensures that the Brontës’ literary legacy remains accessible to all who wish to experience this significant site firsthand.
Inside the Brontë Birthplace
Entering the parsonage, the drawing room is to the left, while the dining room is to the right. It was in this dining room, by the fireplace, that Charlotte, Emily, Anne, and Branwell were born. Down a few steps from the dining room is the former butcher’s shop area, a later addition to the house added in 1898.
Back in the main hall, a door to the right of the staircase provides access to the kitchen and scullery, which has its own staircase used by the household’s servants.
Upstairs are the family bedrooms, with Patrick and Maria’s room directly above the dining room, and the children’s bedroom located above the drawing room. A small passageway from the children’s room leads to the nursemaids’ quarters, where Nancy and Sarah Garrs cared for the children during their years at Thornton.
Restoration Plans and Community Involvement
With the Brontë birthplace saved, efforts are underway to restore the Grade II* listed building, ensuring that it remains a place for literary exploration and community engagement.
Alongside the preservation work, hidden features of the house have been uncovered, including a previously unseen servant's staircase, Patrick Brontë’s wardrobe, and the original deeds dating back over two centuries. These historical discoveries, along with the planned restoration, will create a uniquely immersive experience for Brontë enthusiasts and visitors alike.
The community has rallied around this monumental achievement, allowing the Brontë birthplace to become a cherished cultural landmark within Brontë Country. From school programs to literary events, the newly preserved parsonage promises to welcome and inspire future generations of Brontë admirers from around the world.
Brontë Birthplace Info
| Opening Times: | Not currently open |
| Address: | 72-74 Market Street, Thornton, Bradford, BD13 3HF, United Kingdom |
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