
Top Withins or Withens? The earliest record of the name goes
back to the 14th century and it is named as Withins, at about
the 17th century it becomes Withens. Take a complete 360º
virtual tour near Top Withens ruin here...
There are no known records that state any reference of a Bronte
connection to Top Withens, it has been passed down locally that
the ruins are connected to Emily Bronte's novel Wuthering Heights;
"Wuthering Heights is the name of Mr Heathcliff's dwelling.
`Wuthering' being a significant provincial adjective, descriptive
of the atmospheric tumult to which its station is exposed in stormy
weather. Pure, bracing ventilation they must have up there at
all times, indeed; one may guess the power of the north wind blowing
over the edge, by the excessive slant of a few stunted firs at
the end of the house; and by a range of gaunt thorns all stretching
their limbs one way, as if craving alms of the sun."
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte.
Top
Withens is at an elevation of about 1,400 feet, the bench mark
on the southwest corner of the building is 1,376.9 ft above
sea level. Take
a complete 360º virtual tour at Top Withens here...
Ordnance map of Top
Withens here... (external link, opens a new window)
.
"Top Withens. This
Farmhouse has been associated with "Wuthering
Heights", the Earnshaw home in Emily Bronte's novel.
The buildings, even when complete bore no resemblance to the
house she described, but the situation may have been in her
mind when she wrote of the moorland setting of the
heights.
This plaque has been placed here in response to many Inquiries.
Bronte Society 1964" |
 |

Photos on this website showing Top Withens through the year:
January
I February
I March
I April
I May
I June
I July
I August
I September
I October
I November
I December
Photographs of Top Withens by description:
Top Withens at dawn, sunrise; photo
1 I photo
2
Top Withens at dusk; photo
1 I photo
2
Top Withens rain, stormy clouds; photo
1 I
photo 2 I photo
3 I photo
4 I photo
5 I photo
6
Top Withens in snow; photo
1 I photo
2 I photo
3
Top Withens in sun; photo
1 I photo
2 I photo
3 I photo
4 I photo
5 I photo
6 I photo
7 I photo
8
Top Withens at night, star trails; photo
1 I photo
2 I photo
3 I photo
4
Top Withens in 3D (you
need anaglyph glasses to view, info here...) photo
1 I photo
2 I photo
3
Please note all images are copyright and must not be used
without permission, for terms
and conditions see here...
