Haworth packed with tourists inspired by Brontë film To Walk Invisible

Punters included many local people who had never previously thought of visiting the Haworth museum even though it was on their doorstep.

Staff reported visitors buzzing with positive comments about Sally Wainwright’s 90-minute film about the three famous novelists and their wayward brother Branwell.

The extra influx of people to both the museum and Haworth’s Main Street – which featured in the film – was accompanied by universal acclaim for the BBC film.

The museum’s Twitter feed has for the past few hours been inundated with rave reviews from Brontë enthusiasts.

Local councillors also expressed their admiration for To Walk Invisible and spoke of its potential long-term effect on boosting Haworth’s tourist trade.

Kitty Wright, executive director of the Brontë Parsonage Museum, today mingled with visitors to find out what they thought of the film.

She said: “We’re very busy today, far busier than we would normally expect for a day between Christmas and New Year.

“People are telling our staff they’re here because they’ve seen the film. I was down in the village of lunchtime and there seems to be a buzz in the high street.

“We’ve had some local people through the museum who have never been before – the place has become real, immediate and powerful to them.”

Kitty said the entire museum team had enjoyed To Walk Invisible, and described it as “the most astonishing production, gritty and true”.

She added: “Although the film doesn’t tell people who know about the Brontës anything new, I think it was very accessible for people who aren’t immersed in the Brontës. It worked on a lot of levels.”

Cllr Gary Swallow, chairman of Haworth, Stanbury and Cross Roads Parish Council, enjoyed watching To Walk Invisible.

He said: “It was well produced and showed a different aspect of the Brontë story, emphasising the trouble the family had to go through with the condition of the brother.

“It also showed some good period shots of Haworth Main Street. The crew did a marvellous job with the shopfronts.”

Worth Valley ward councillor Russell Brown admitted he was not a particular fan of the Brontës, but had watched To Walk Invisible to see the results of the local filming.

He said: “it was quite informative and changed my perception of the Brontës – I think I’ll take another look at them.

“I’m sure the film will bring about more visitors, and I’m sure people are going to want to sell Haworth around the world.”

Fellow district councillor Rebecca Poulsen said Haworth had already seen an increase in visitors because of people who wanted to see the film set while To Walk Invisible was being made last summer.

She added: “I think this will help boost tourism even further, with people who will want to come and walk down Main Street or walk on the moors. It’s a very positive thing for the area.”

The Brontë Parsonage Museum is open every day until Monday, including New Years Day, from noon to 5pm.

The museum will reopen on February 1, with a special exhibition running throughout 2017 featuring costumes, props and photography from To Walk Invisible.