Step into the pages of Jane Eyre

6 August 2008

Step into the pages of Jane Eyre

The places that inspired Charlotte Bronte to write her classic novel Jane Eyre are being brought to life for visitors to the Peak District National Park.

Self-guided print and audio trails have been produced by Peak Experience to help visitors explore Hathersage and the surrounding moorland.

Charlotte Bronte visited Hathersage in 1845 to stay with a friend. She was inspired by the area and wrote Jane Eyre soon afterwards.

During her stay Charlotte visited North Lees Hall, which was to be the inspiration for Thornfield Hall, home of Edward Rochester in the novel. The name Jayne Eyre came from the family of the man who built the hall - Robert Eyre.

Charlotte was also told during her stay about the story of a ‘mad woman in the attic’ who had died in a fire at the hall many years before. This idea was used to describe Bertha Mason’s death in the Jane Eyre story.

Bill Bevan, Peak Experience interpretation project officer, said: “The story of Jane Eyre is a classic that has stood the test of time. This guided trail allows visitors to find out more about the people and places that inspired Charlotte Bronte to write the book.

“The BBC filmed part of their recent TV adaptation of Jane Eyre on the moors above Hathersage. The audio trail lets you discover exactly where it was filmed.”

Other information on the trail includes:

• Stanage Edge, the location of Keira Knightly’s scene from the film Pride and Prejudice
• the grave of Robin Hood’s sidekick Little John
• stops to see a Romano-British village, Norman fort, historic church and views of the moors
• a clear map linked to photos and information

The trail can be downloaded to print from the  Visit Peak District website. There is also an MP3 audio version for iPods and MP3 players at www.moorsforthefuture.org.uk/mftf/audio_trails/hathersage.htm   

Peak Experience was created by the Peak District Interpretation Partnership, made up of local authorities and businesses including the Peak District National Park Authority. It aims to tell visitors and local communities about the special qualities of the Peak District National Park using leaflets, audio trails, websites and mobile technology.