Did you think that the Bronte's were born at Howarth? So many people think that, but it was not the case. In 1815 Mr Bronte was appointed curate of Thornton parish and the family spent their five happiest years in the Thornton parsonage on Market Street; it became the cradle of genius. Charlotte, Branwell, Emily and Anne were all born in the roomy, comfortable house with its atmosphere of content and welcome.
The Bronte birthplace is now open by appointment during the summer months. You can see the maids' room where Nancy and Sarah Garrs slept, the large sunny room where the children would have spent much of their time, the more dignified room which is the most likely for Mr and Mrs Bronte to sleep in; also the downstairs rooms.
Village tradition has it that the births took place in the dining room; this seems to have been the favoured place for childbirth at that period. Luckily at a later time the family then occupying the house used this room as a workplace to make pies, and the original magical late Georgian fireplace of the Bronte period is still there to be admired. They also built on the extension in the late nineteenth century which was used in living memory as a small shop.