Red House

Oxford Road, Gomersal, Cleckheaton,
West Yorkshire BD19 4JP

Tel: 01274 335100

This delightful house now looks very much as it would have done in Charlotte Bronte's time when she used it as a model for the Briarmains of her novel Shirley. Red House was the home of her close friend Mary Taylor and Charlotte stayed here often. Wander around this wool merchant's home where each room brings you closer to the 1830s, from the elegant parlour to the stone-flagged kitchen with its Yorkshire range, jelly moulds and colourful crockery. Then take a stroll through the re-created 19th century garden with its shaped flower beds and decorative ironwork; even the plants and shrubs are in keeping with the period.

Explore Charlotte Bronte's Spen Valley connections and her friendships with Mary Taylor and Ellen Nussey in The Secret's Out exhibition in the barn. What did local people say when they discovered that Charlotte had based some of her characters in Shirley on them? And how did Charlotte, Mary and Ellen react to society's strict view of 'a woman's place'?

Move along to the 20th Century and the Spen Valley Stories exhibition in the restored cartsheds. Relive schooldays, Teddy Boys, dance marathons and street parties through the pictures and mementoes of local residents. The latest audio technology lets them tell their own stories while you browse through historical photos on a user-friendly, touchscreen terminal.

And, before you leave, call in to the museum shop. With its period toys, books, gifts and preserves, you'll be more than tempted to take home a taste of the past!