Where Jane Eyre began: celebrating Charlotte Brontë at The George
21st April marks the birthday of one of England's greatest novelists. Her connection to The George runs deeper than most people realise.
In the summer of 1845, Charlotte Brontë spent three weeks in Hathersage visiting her close friend Ellen Nussey, whose brother had recently become the local vicar. She stayed, she walked the valley and she took in North Lees Hall, the 16th-century manor just outside the village that most scholars agree became Thornfield Hall in Jane Eyre. The hall had been home to the Eyre family, whose name Charlotte gave to her protagonist. The village itself became “Morton," named after the landlord of the local inn.
That inn was The George. Charlotte is believed to have stayed here and the George Inn appears by name in Jane Eyre. Nearly 180 years on, we are still here and still very much worth a visit.
Settle into the Writer's Corner
Tucked into a quiet corner of The George, our little literary nook is the kind of spot that is hard to leave. Floor-to-ceiling shelves of old books, a wooden desk, a single chair and a leaded window looking out onto Hathersage. It feels fitting that a hotel with Charlotte Brontë's name above one of its doors should have somewhere like this. Settle in with something from the shelves, order yourself something warming and watch the village go by.
Stay in the Lady C Brontë Suite
Said to be the room where Charlotte wrote parts of Jane Eyre, the Lady C Brontë Suite is one of those rooms that earns its name. A four-poster bed, a freestanding bath and a circular stained-glass window make it a genuinely special place to spend a night and the history that comes with it makes it even more so.
Dine at The George
You do not need to be staying overnight to make the most of the occasion. Our kitchen draws heavily on local Peak District produce, with a menu that moves between classic pub dishes and something a little more ambitious. A majority of our dishes can be adapted to be gluten-free, and there is a strong selection of vegetarian and vegan options too. Whether it is a birthday lunch or an evening out, book a table and let us take care of the rest.
Celebrate her birthday with us
Are you a Charlotte, Jane or Cathy?
If you are visiting on the 21st and your name is Charlotte, Jane or Cathy, let your server know. A complimentary glass of fizz is on us, a small toast to you and the characters who share your name.
A birthday slice for My Longbow members
Every My Longbow member gets a free slice of cake alongside their free monthly coffee during birthday week. Download the app on iOS or Android, sign up and come and claim yours between 20 and 24 April.
Come and see it for yourself
Whether you are here for Charlotte’s birthday, a weekend in the Peaks or simply a good meal in a place with a great deal of history behind it, The George is ready for you.