Peak Experience

Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre

In 1845 Charlotte Brontë stayed at Hathersage vicarage with her friend Ellen Nussey and regularly visited the locally important Eyre family at North Lees Hall.  Charlotte’s letters reveal Hathersage as the village Morton in Jane Eyre (published 1847).  The landlord of the George Inn was a Mr Morton at the time Brontë stayed here and she borrowed the Eyre family name for her heroine.  There’s a reference in the novel to ‘Mr Oliver’s needle factory’ in Morton, and there were several needle mills in Hathersage then.

 

The novel’s crenellated Thornfield is clearly based on North Lees Hall.  Robert Eyre is said to have built seven houses for seven sons and you can still see North Lees, an impressive Tudor manor just a short pleasant walk from the village.  It is rumoured there was indeed a ‘mad woman in the attic’ in its early history, just like Bertha Mason in Brontë’s novel.  Agnes Ashurst was ‘reputed to have become demented and was confined to a room on the second floor where the walls were padded for her safety’.  She later died in a fire.

 

Franco Zefirelli and the BBC have returned to the Peak District to shoot their versions of Jane Eyre.  Both chose romantic Haddon Hall as ‘the perfect location’ for Edward Rochester’s Thornfield Hall.  Zefirelli also filmed at Wingfield Manor at South Wingfield to shoot his scenes of Thornfield in flames.

 

Up to 100 people a day filmed in the Peak District throughout spring 2006, bringing Charlotte Brontë’s most popular novel to life for a new generation.  The popular four-part serial, broadcast in autumn 2006, has an all-star cast, featuring newcomer Ruth Wilson as Jane, Toby Stephens as darkly mysterious Edward Rochester, Pam Ferris as Grace Poole and Georgie Henley as young Jane.  Georgie catapulted to public attention for her outstanding performance as Lucy in the 2005 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (dir. Adam Adamson).

 

Of the many scenes set at Haddon Hall, perhaps the most dramatic was the sight of Thornfield being burned to the ground.  The BBC’s special effects were so realistic that the fire brigade received calls from passing motorists that Haddon was on fire!  The BBC also filmed extensively at North Lees Hall, Stanage Edge, Hathersage, Chatsworth, Dovedale, Ilam Hall and Sudbury Hall (nr Ashbourne).  Look out for the scenery shots from the TV series as you travel.

 

Hathersage is easily accessible by train, bus or car, parking and public toilets available.  Stroll or drive to the 900-year-old church for the Eyre family brasses, great views, more walks and the location of ‘Little John’s grave’, Robin Hood’s trusty sidekick.

 

North Lees Hall and Brookfield Manor are on a lovely 2 km walk north from Hathersage, with a nearer car park 500 m to the north.  You’ll find an interpretation panel at North Lees with more of the Hall’s story.

 

Look for Moorseats at Highlow (by Hathersage), the Eyre family home used for Moor House in the novel.

 

Visit Haddon Hall near Bakewell and walk through the BBC’s Jane Eyre locations.

 

South Wingfield is near Chesterfield.

 

Explore the ancient places of Hathersage along with some of its links with Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice as well as some of the village's (hosted by Moors for the Future - external link).

 

Haddon Hall is served by buses between Bakewell and Matlock, running at least every hour, seven days a week, including the TransPeak service which runs from Manchester to Nottingham.

 

Hathersage is on the Hope Valley railway line between Sheffield and Manchester.  To plan your journey, visit the National Rail website or ring National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950.

 

Further information about bus services to Haddon Hall and Hathersage can be found by calling Traveline on 0871 200 2233 or visiting Traveline.  This is also the site to visit for planning your journey to South Wingfield, which has a direct bus service from Matlock, and Thorpe, for Dovedale.  Chatsworth has services from a wide variety of towns and cities – for details for your visit, whether you’re in Macclesfield or Mansfield, Hanley or Huddersfield, follow the link to the Peak Connections leaflet.