On Friday we attended a delightful talk and book launch at the Armitt Museum in Ambleside. Authors Ann Dinsdale and Sharon Wright spoke about their new book Let Me In The Brontës in Bricks and Mortar.
The talk was very interesting, covering dozens of houses and places the Brontë family visited, from early beginnings in Penzance (birthplace of Maria Branwell), County Down (birthplace of Patrick Brontë) to Cowan Bridge (location of the Clergy Daughters' School attended by all five Brontë sisters). and Plymouth Grove, Manchester (home of Elizabeth Gaskell). Along the way the authors visit Bradford, London, York and Bridlington, as well as spending much time in Haworth and the surrounding area.
An important house they write about in the book is Charlotte Brontë's visit to Ambleside in 1850. The authors chose to speak at the Armitt Museum because 2025 marks 175 years since Charlotte Brontë visited Ambleside to stay with her friend Harriet Martineau at The Knoll.
At the point of her visit Charlotte Brontë had lost Anne and Emily and was oppressed with grief; she could see no way forward. The visit changed how she felt dramatically, not least because The Knoll enabled her to see how a woman could live independently.
"I can write to you now for I an away from home and relieved, temporarily at least, by change of air and scene from the heavy burden of depression which I confess has for nearly 3 months been sinking me to the earth...My loathing of solitude grew extreme; my recollection of my Sisters intolerably poignant; I am better now. I am at Miss Martineau's for a week - her house is very pleasant both within and without - arranged at all points with admirable neatness and comfort..."
We thoroughly enjoyed the talk, and left with a signed copy of the book to enjoy at our leisure. It's exciting to think that there are many Brontë related places to visit.