Last Of The Summer Pies: 3 Mile Linear Walk - Stanbury

Saturday, 6 March 2021

3 Mile Linear Walk - Stanbury | Top Withens

The now ruined farmhouse Top Withens (or Top Withins) is believed to have been built in the late 16th century and remained inhabited until around 1890. The location is thought to have inspired that of Wuthering Heights in Emily Bronte's famous novel, although the building itself bore no resemblance to the one in the book.

Distance: 3.3 miles

Ascent: 500 ft

Walking: Andrew & Gaynor

Weather: Overcast & hazy

OS Map: OL21 - South Pennines

Starting point: Bully Trees Farm, Back Lane, Stanbury

Photography: Andrew using Nikon D750 / Nikon 24-70 mm f2.8

The first time we've been up to Top Withens for a few weeks and the first time it's been clear enough to enjoy the spectacular views for a while.

I've been fortunate to experience this walk in just about every type of weather and today was cold, still and hazy and felt very peaceful. The only sounds were the many babbling streams and the grouse cackling away. We didn't spot or hear any of the recently returned curlew, in fact most of the wildlife seemed to be keeping a low profile for a change.

Lower Height Farm

Upper Heights Farm

Near Upper Heights Farm

The view across to Oakworth Moor from Flight Hill, close to Master Stones

Flaight Hill

The view ahead to Top Withens

Scar Hill and Sandy Hill with Crumber Hill in the distance

Still a little way to go. The ruins of Lower Withins Farm can be seen just beyond the wall.

The ruins of Lower Withins Farm, which was demolished in the 1930s

One of many interesting features in the walls round here. I'm not sure what this one's purpose was but I'd be interested to find out.

Lone Sycamore tree alongside the path with Top Withens visible in the distance.

The ruins of Middle Withins, which, like Lower Withins, was demolished in the 1930s.

Top Withins. After being abandoned in the 1890s, the building stood empty until it was bought in 1903, along with Lower and Middle Withins, by the Keighley Corporation. In the 1930s when the other two farms were demolished, Top Withens was secured to prevent vandalism, although time has since taken its toll and the roof has long since gone and little remains of the house. The bulk of the ruin is the livestock barn that was attached to the house.

I can't help thinking that it wouldn't have felt as remote up here in the Bronte's time as it does now. There were at least two other working farms close-by, as well as a number of stone quarries. The fact that the building is now a ruin adds to the feeling of remoteness and desolation.

The two sycamore trees to the south of the ruin are popularly known as Cathy and Heathcliff

The view down Dean Beck from Top Withins

The southern side of the ruin

The plaque placed on the building by The Bronte Society doesn't exactly fill the visitor with excitement about the location's links to Wuthering Heights, having, in many cases, made a pilgrimage half way round the world to get here. Whilst the sense of what it says may be true, the wording doesn't exactly reflect the romance of the story.

The board outline the history of the building is very informative and well worth taking the time to read. It's interesting to see how the building used to look and relate that to what remains.