Brontë Country in northern England will soon become a new nature reserve

If you’re a fan of the Brontë sisters, you’ll probably be familiar with the vast and rugged landscapes of northern England that inspired novels like Wuthering Heights.

Now some of Northern England’s majestic mountains are to become a new nature reserve, giving them a protected status. The Pennines are going to soon make up one of England’s biggest nature reserves, spanning 1,274 hectares and called the Bradford Pennine Gateway. 

The reserve will be closest to Bradford, one of Britain’s biggest and more nature-deprived cities. It will link eight natural sites within the Bradford and South Pennines region, among other areas including Penistone Hill country park near Haworth, the village where the Brontë family lived. 

In the protected area, endangered wildlife such as adders, curlews, and short-eared owls will be able to thrive, while approximately 90 percent of the area will be made up of priority habitats, including peat bogs, heathlands, and wetlands. 

The government hopes that the new reserve, that was announced on May 13, will help Bradford’s largely young population connect more with the stunning wildlife and nature that their local area is home to. 

Tony Juniper, the chair of Natural England, said: ‘Reversing the historic declines in nature and moving toward ecological recovery requires bigger, better and more joined up areas for nature to thrive. The opening of this reserve is an important moment in this journey, marking a significant achievement in our efforts to protect and enhance the natural environment.

‘By working with local partners providing accessible nature near to urban areas, we are fostering a deeper connection between communities and nature, promoting wellbeing and inspiring the next generation to support biodiversity recovery.’

Bradford councillor Alex Ross-Shaw said: ‘Around two-thirds of our district is rural, and we boast unique and breathtaking scenery. The creation of the Bradford Pennine Gateway national nature reserve ensures that these sites are protected and accessible for everyone in our district and beyond.’

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