Without the Bronte sisters, Haworth would be just another village perched on the edge of the South Pennines.

But thanks to the Victorian siblings’ extraordinary literary success, the village and its old parsonage are magnets for thousands of tourists from around the world.

Bronte Parsonage Museum is where Emily, Charlotte and Anne grew up, with their brother Branwell and father Patrick.

The house was built in 1778 and the Brontes moved there in April, 1820 when Patrick became minister of neighbouring St Michael and All Angels Church. Following Patrick's death in 1861, it was occupied by four of his successors at Haworth's parish church then, when the Bronte Society bought the building in 1928, it became home to four custodians and their families, who witnessed the growth of tourism in Haworth.

The 1980s marked a period of change at the Parsonage, with a new exhibition space and a focus on presenting the house at it was in the Brontes' time.

The museum library contains the world's most comprehensive collection of Bronte manuscripts, letters, early editions of the novels and poetry, and secondary material on the famous family and their work.

WHAT'S ON THIS SUMMER

A new collection of photographs and artefacts, on display until the end of this year, reveals the secret life of the building through the stories of those who lived there. Called Heaven Is A Home, it also uses letters, sketches and documents to detail domestic details of the Brontes' residence.

The exhibition complements the Parsonage's recent £60,000 refurbishment.

Emily Bronte's birthday is July 30, and this year the Parsonage is marking it in style for the first time with a special day of walks and tours.

There are just 30 tickets for the day, which boards a steam train from Keighley talks about the Brontes and the railways by Professor Ann Sumner, and railway historian David Pearson.

In Haworth, a vintage bus will take passengers to the Parsonage there’s chance to wander around the meadow with gardener Jenny Whitehead and examine Bronte treasures in the library.

  • Address: Church Street, Haworth, West Yorkshire BD22 8DR Email: bronte@bronte.org.uk. Telephone: (01535) 642323. Website - bronte.org.uk. How to find it: The museum is at the top of the village Main Street, behind the Parish Church. Access to the museum is limited. Phone (01535) 642323 for advice and staff will do their best to help with visitors’ special needs. Opening hours: The museum is open every day from 10am - 5.30pm, April to September, and 11am - 5pm, October to March except December 24-27 and January 2-31, 2014. The museum is open on New Year’s Day from 12 noon to 5pm. The shop is open every day from 10am - 5.30pm except Sundays, when it is open 11am-5pm. Private tours, including an opportunity to see behind the scenes and visit the Museum Library, are available by prior arrangement.