Generally, I rather love Haworth. It is a truly charming, picturesque, compelling, beguiling, and warming village in the heart of Yorkshire. Very northern, very Victorian-esque, very communal and wonderful to visit. Today was not my first trip to Howarth, nor hopefully shall it be my last. However, I have for some years wished to visit during the festive season as I was sure it would only get better and enthuse me with Christmas cheer. I was not wrong.
When we arrived during the day, Haworth was as charming as it ever was. There are the iconic and now quite legendary staples, such as the fabled Apothecary, various pubs (ranging from the traditional to the not quite so), staple shops such as the newly extended sweet shop, and several well-established secondhand book shops (which I love generally!) and again various eateries and watering holes. Despite these various main-stays of Howarth, there are always many new things to see. I fear even Haworth is not immune to the economical tides, and if you visit on numerous occasions you see that many facades and interiors of shops and buildings have changed. From the wonderfully unique that has been and gone, or is yet to come, to various alterations of the rare and unusual, or the down right odd, tatty and dull; there is something to suit every taste. As I say, the charm of the place, of course was in abandon. During the daylight, the atmosphere was enhanced into the festive. Numerous locals had got together in earnest to not only produce and sell all sorts of festive fair, but to also sing carols and play in bands. Not to mention the great outdoor decorations almost everywhere you looked.
Yet when darkness fell...it got even better. The wonderful yet tasteful array of decorations already mentioned, adorning almost every building, came to life anew, making Haworth truly reminiscent of a classic Christmas card scene. Also at the coming of nightfall, began one of the reasons we came - the annual torchlight Christmas procession up Haworth's charming main street, and to the church for carols! Honestly...how charming and Christmasy can you get? Led by the town criers and morris dancers baring flaming torches, and occasionally heckled by a few choice members of the crowd (*cough* *my mother*) we paraded merrily, our candles aloft. And if that wasn't enough, we then made our way into Haworth's Bronte parsonage church (for those of you who don't know, Haworth was the home of legendary and timeless authors - Charlotte and Emily Bronte) which I had never been to before. It has been a long long time since I have attended a carol service (this year it was high on my Christmas to-do-list, as well as visiting Howarth). I loved it. The sense of community was re-energized, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming, the carols were fantastic and rousing, it was truly a lovely festive experience.
I realize all this may sound quite simple, and perhaps even corny, but I simply wish to impress (on my blog so I sort of think I'm entitled!) with these words and some quite amateur camera phone pictures, the sheer wonder of Haworth. It amazes me every time that a rather small and demure Yorkshire village can seemingly without effort deliver so much for visitors, at Christmas or any other time of year. Again, a recommendation from me - Haworth is well worth a visit, particularly if you're looking for a good dose of traditional Christmas cheer. Thank you men and women of Haworth, and a Merry Christmas to you all!
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