If Haworth is a not-to-be-missed element of any tour of West Yorkshire, the Black Bull is a not-to-be-missed part of any visit to Haworth. The building almost sprouts out of the ground and seems just as much a permanent feature at the top of the High Street as the neighbouring church. It is from the parsonage - just a few hundred yards away from the Bull - that Branwell Bronte would sneak away to enjoy a pint, a pipe and the company of others than his famous sisters or his devout father.
Enter the solid door and the pub is much larger than you would expect. Now there is one large "L" shaped room whereas before there would have been several smaller rooms. Also the pub has been extended over the years. However, it has a comfortable feel and, other than a few pictures, it has not been over-Brontefied. It remains a solid village pub of the type which are vanishing all too quickly in this day and age. The endless coach-loads of Bronte pilgrims can be thanked for its survival.
A selection of guest beers is available in addition to the normal offering of bitters and lagers. On my visit I tried a pint of Hibernator from the Keighley-based Old Bear Brewery. Hibernator is a good name for this dark, malty, full-flavoured beer. At 5% ABV you are tempted to curl up into a little ball after a pint or two and sleep the winter away.
The landlord of the Bull wouldn't take kindly to long sleep-overs, and any way, there are stories about ghosts in the building. So after your winter warmer you can step out and feel the wind blowing off the moors as you head for home.
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