As you wind your way up cobbled Church Street in Haworth – passing the graveyard and perhaps peeking through the windows of the Old School Room – you’ll find the Brontë Parsonage Museum on your left… and to your right? A small patch of wilderness.
We’ve deliberately left this green area free to grow whichever way it pleases!
Writing this on a showery day in April, this wild corner is overflowing with life. Luscious and leafy, here you’ll spot everything from proud dandelions on the cusp of opening after the rain… to lungwort, bright and delicate.
Leaving a patch of untamed greenery isn’t just nice to look at either. Local wildlife benefits hugely from being left to its own devices, reclaiming a natural balance of biodiversity that supports hard-working insects and allows space for wild flowers to flourish.
Many of the plants we consider ‘weeds’ – including some you’ll see in our wild corner – were once revered for their multitude of useful properties.
Take the dandelion, whose leaves, flowers, and even roots are edible and rich in vitamins. Choc-full of nectar and pollen, dandelions are invaluable to bees and butterflies, and their seeds are a tasty treat for birds, including goldfinches, greenfinches, and serins. During the time of the Brontës, dandelions were included as a fashionable addition to sandwiches and salads!
So, next time you’re passing the Parsonage, stop for a moment to take in our patch of wilderness. Look past the ‘weed’ mentality, and appreciate its wonderful tangle of greenery, pretty wildflowers, and bustle of insects.
Come back to this page to learn more about our everchanging wild corner, and if you’re inspired to create a dedicated spot for nature to bloom in your own home or community, have a look at these tips from The Wildlife Trusts.
Want more from our green-fingered team? Read about our tree-planting project here or head to our blog for seasonal updates from our gardening volunteers here.
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