Celebrating Charlotte Brontë’s Birthday at The George, Hathersage
Charlotte Brontë was born on April 21st, 1816. The date is when many art, literature and history fans will choose to mark the occasion by touring some of the places she lived, visited and wrote about.
One such place that was a prominent feature in her novel, Jane Eyre, is right here at The George Hathersage. We’d love you to visit us on April 21st and allow you to soak up the atmosphere, history and heritage of our beautiful 800-year-old pub and hotel.
Charlotte Brontë in Hathersage
In the summer of 1845, Charlotte Brontë, then 29 years old, spent three weeks in Hathersage. She stayed with her close friend Ellen Nussey, whose brother, Henry Nussey, had recently become the vicar of Hathersage. She stayed to help Ellen oversee the renovations of the vicarage while Henry was on his honeymoon.
The George Hotel in Jane Eyre
Charlotte is believed to have stayed at The George. This establishment inspired the “George Inn" in her novel Jane Eyre. The inn’s landlord’s name, Morton, was used as the name of the village where Jane becomes a schoolteacher.
Stay In The Lady C Brontë Suite
The George Hotel, where Charlotte is believed to have stayed, is now known as ‘The George’ or ‘The George Hathersage’.
However, we are indeed a hotel! We are indeed a premium gastro pub, with the most fantastic hotel bedrooms. Whether you’re out for a stroll in the Peak District or you’re looking for a luxurious yet affordable escape in the heart of Hathersage village, everyone is welcome – even muddy boots!
While all our rooms feature beautiful and elegant furnishings, it is arguably the Lady C Brontë Suite that is the most intriguing.
This room features a free-standing bath, four-poster bed, pops of shocking pink furnishings and a circular stained-glass window and is said to be where she wrote parts of Jane Eyre.
Dine in the Restaurant
While specific details of Charlotte’s dining preferences during her stay are not documented, The George Hathersage today offers a menu that includes traditional pub meals, internationally inspired dishes and everything made from local Peak District produce, reflecting the hospitality Charlotte Brontë might have experienced.
With 95% of the menu able to be adapted to be gluten-free and a wide variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes, the menu caters to various dietary requirements.
Immerse Yourself in Charlotte Brontë’s Beloved Hathersage
If you really want to immerse yourself in the sights and the sounds that have featured as inspiration for Charlotte Brontë’s novels, why not try the Hathersage walk which takes in North Lees Hall, a 16th-century manor near Hathersage. This hall is widely considered the model for Thornfield Hall, Mr. Rochester’s residence in Jane Eyre. The hall was owned by the Eyre family, whose name Charlotte used for her protagonist.