Brontë Birthplace

A Historic First: The Brontë Birthplace Soft Opening Weekend

This weekend marked a huge milestone for the Brontë Birthplace as we welcomed our very first visitors for the soft opening! After months of dedication, restoration, and hard work from our committee members, General Managers, volunteers and contractors, it was an incredible moment to finally open the doors.

A Warm Welcome & A Step Back in Time

Visitors were greeted in the downstairs café area before stepping into the parlour, scullery, and Nancy’s room, where the Brontë family once lived. While the upstairs rooms are still undergoing their final touches, guests were able to get an intimate look at the heart of the home where Brontë children took their very first steps into the world.

Capturing the Magic – Photography by Matt Gibbons

Of course, no historic moment is complete without some stunning photography! Our dedicated photographer, Matt Gibbons, has beautifully captured the essence of the Brontë Birthplace, from carefully curated artefacts to the lovingly furnished rooms that transport visitors back to the early 19th century.

Take a look at some of Matt’s incredible shots, featuring:

  1. Historic artefacts that tell the story of the Brontë family
  2. Cosy furnished rooms that bring their world to life
  3. The warm and welcoming atmosphere of our very first visitors.

Our Chair, Katharine Barnett, shared their thoughts:

“This weekend has been a truly special experience, seeing people step inside and connect with the history of the house. The passion and hard work of our volunteers have brought this space back to life, and this is just the beginning of an exciting journey for the Brontë Birthplace.”

What's Next

Our soft openings continue over the coming weekends, with exclusive access for members before we fully open to the public mid-April. A massive thank you to everyone who has supported this journey so far—we can’t wait to welcome even more of you into the Brontë Birthplace soon!

Soft Opening