Coming home to the Yorkshire Dales

Bront� country, Christmas gift workshops and three of the best after-dark toursAndrea Arnold's moody adaptation of Wuthering Heights looks set to inspire renewed interest in the Bront� sisters when it opens this week. The Bront� Parsonage Museum (bronte.info) in Haworth will be putting on special events to coincide with the launch, including two evenings dedicated to Emily Bront� (16 and 23 November) and a talk by the film's screenwriter, Olivia Hetreed (9 December). But for the ultimate Wuthering Heights experience, check out Cowside, the newest self-catering property from the Landmark Trust (landmarktrust.org.uk). Set in the Yorkshire Dales north of Haworth, this remote 18th-century farmstead has flagstone floors, an inglenook fireplace and a backdrop of rolling hills. A more perfect retreat for aspiring Heathcliffs and Cathys would be hard to find. Joanne's travel clinic: Christmas gift workshopsThe dilemma I'd like to have a go at making my own Christmas gifts this year. Can you recommend any suitable craft workshops? Tricia Jo replies Where once a dash around Debenhams would do, now, thanks to programmes like Kirstie's Handmade Britain, nothing less than a hand-knitted bobble hat is required to show we care. The creatively challenged should check out local National Trust or English Heritage properties, many of which are running craft events in the run-up to Christmas. At Saltram (nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-saltram), a country house near Plymouth, throughout November you can learn to make gifts, from a gingerbread house to a frosted vase. The Forestry Commission (forestry.gov.uk/whatson) has festive classes at some of its visitor centres, making use of natural materials: try a wreath-making workshop at Alice Holt Forest in Hampshire (on 6-7 December). Other ideas include a felt-making workshop at the London Wetland Centre on 27 November (wwt.org.uk/london) and stained-glass making at the Museum of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket, Suffolk, from 12-13 November (eastanglianlife.org.uk). And if it goes wrong, there are always gift vouchers.Three of the best: after-dark toursThe clocks may have gone back, but these magical after-hours tours by lantern and candlelight will brighten even the darkest winter evening1. Sir John Soane's Museum, London On the first Tuesday of each month enjoy a candlelit tour of the 19th-century collector's paintings, curios and antiquities. Free (soane.org)2. Muncaster Castle, Cumbria Lights, music and special effects transform the gardens in December, with candlelit tours on selected dates. Tickets �15/�6.50 (muncaster.co.uk)3. Alwnick Garden, Northumberland Tour gardens and water features by the light of a willow lantern from 10 November. Music, food and flowers. �8.50/�6.80 (alnwickgarden.com)If you have a travel dilemma, email Joanne O'Connor at magazine@observer.co.ukAnne Bront�Charlotte Bront�Emily Bront�YorkshireUnited KingdomEuropeChristmasJoanne O'Connorguardian.co.uk © 2011 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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