From Butcher's Shop to Birthplace: The Story of the Brontë Birthplace

Discover the remarkable story of one of Thornton's most important historic buildings and explore its many different lives.

From Brontë family home to village butcher's shop, visitor attraction and café, community-owned heritage site and restored Brontë Birthplace, this special drop-in exhibition explores the history of the building and the people who have helped shape its story.

Through photographs, plans, memories and material from the restoration project, discover what happened to the building after the Brontë family left Thornton.

Explore its later life as a working butcher's shop, followed by its time as a visitor attraction under Barbara Whitehead in the 1990s and early 2000s, and its later life as Emily's Café from 2014 to 2022.

The exhibition then follows the building into community ownership and the ambitious restoration project that transformed an empty and neglected building into the Brontë Birthplace visitors experience today.

Discover the challenges, discoveries and community effort behind the restoration and learn how this remarkable building continues to evolve and serve a new generation of visitors.

The exhibition is available to explore at your own leisure throughout the day, with Thomas Haigh, Vice Chair and Marketing & Audience Development Lead, available to answer questions and share stories from the restoration project.

Timings

Sunday 13 September:

1100-1600

Location & directions

72-74 Market Street, Thornton, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD13 3HF

Directions:

On-Street Parking: Market Street offers free on-street parking with no restrictions. If there isn’t any space directly outside the Brontë Birthplace, head onto Thornton Road, you’re also welcome to park there and take a brief walk up to to Market Street. Please be mindful of our neighbors and avoid blocking any driveways. By Bus: The First Metro 607 bus runs regularly from Thornton to Bradford Interchange and the 67 runs from Keighley via Thornton to Bradford Interchange. The nearest stop is just a 2-minute walk away. By Train: The closest stations are Bradford Interchange or Bradford Forster Square, both a short bus or taxi ride from Thornton. By Taxi: Local taxi services are readily available from Bradford city centre and surrounding areas.

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Additional information

Max number of people:

12

Estimated duration:

0 hour(s) 30 minute(s)

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