The gorgeous little village with UK's best high street - packed with 70 independent shops

Perched on the edge of the wild, windswept moors, Haworth looks much the same as it might have when the Brontë sisters walked its cobbled streets. The high street climbs steeply between honey-stone buildings, every doorway marked by a hand-painted sign rather than a corporate logo. In this postcard-perfect Yorkshire village, not a single chain store can be found, and that's exactly how locals like it.

Inside Mrs Beighton's Sweet Shop, glass jars gleam with sherbet lemons, bonbons, and midget gems. Behind the counter, Thomas Heys, 52, weighs out the sweets by hand. "It makes people feel like a child again," he says. "They step through the door, and it's like going back 30 or 40 years. There's nostalgia in every jar."

Thomas took over the shop 18 months ago after running an online stationery business. When the premises came up for sale, he jumped at the chance to put down roots in Haworth.

"We get tourists from all over because of the Brontë Museum next door, but locals come in just as often. Sure, it costs a bit more than in a supermarket, but people aren't just buying sweets, they're buying the experience."

Originally from Lancashire, he moved to the village five years ago and hasn't looked back. "There's a real sense of community here. Everyone knows everyone, and we all support one another. You don't get that in many places anymore."

Haworth has long been a village that trades on memory. Famous worldwide as the home of the Brontë sisters, its throwback high street has changed little since the 19th century, when Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë penned their literary masterpieces just steps away.

Today, the Brontë Parsonage Museum draws visitors from across the globe, yet the village remains deeply rooted in community rather than commerce.

There are about 70 independent businesses in Haworth, ranging from vintage shops and bookshops to tearooms and artisan makers.

On Main Street, the heart of the village, you won't find a single chain store; every shopfront is proudly local, giving the cobbled high street its unmistakable charm and character.

Across from the sweet shop, the scent of wax and spice drifts from Cabinets of Curiosity, a shop that looks like something from a gothic novel.

Its windows brim with candles, handmade soaps, and mystical ornaments, all arranged in elaborate, seasonal displays. "Halloween is our busiest time of year," says manager Sharon Stott.

"We've been here since 2010, and this year's been brilliant; one of our videos went viral online, so we've been packed for weeks."

Despite the bustle, there's no rivalry on the high street. "Everyone supports each other," Sharon explains. "Before anyone opens a new business, they talk to others to make sure they're not doing the same thing.

"That's why it works. There's variety, and no one steps on anyone else's toes."

That spirit of togetherness runs through the village. Councillor Rebecca Poulsen, who represents the Worth Valley Ward, says Haworth's blend of history, scenery and independence makes it special.

"We've got a huge amount of history here and some fantastic things to draw visitors in," she says. "It's a beautiful place to live, right on the moors, with lovely countryside all around, but still easy to get to Manchester, Leeds or Bradford.

"People like the quaintness and the history, and we've now got a really good evening restaurant scene too. It's helping the local economy thrive."

Rebecca has lived in Haworth for two decades and watched it evolve from a purely tourist destination into a vibrant year-round community.

"When I first moved here, most of the shops were touristy," she explains. "Now we've got everything from handbag shops to artisan cheese stores.

"There's a really mature mix of businesses, and new ones coming in all the time. The traders' group is brilliant, they run events themselves, especially at Christmas, which is huge here. The village is very self-sufficient."

Once a thriving mill town, Haworth reinvented itself after the decline of the textile industry, turning its history and rugged beauty into its greatest assets.

At the top of the hill, Venables's Record Store adds a note of nostalgia of its own. Inside, rows of vinyl records and retro posters line the walls.

Owner Tony Venables, 72, has been in business for 32 years and seen the village change around him. "It's not been easy," he admits. "People started reading again during lockdown, but that's dropped off.

"I only made about £8,000 profit last year. Still, I wouldn't be anywhere else; this is the best spot you could ask for."

The arrival of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, now a much-loved heritage line, helped cement it as a tourist haven, attracting vintage enthusiasts, walkers, and history buffs alike.

For others, Haworth is more than just a business location, it's a lifelong love affair.

John Wright, 81, has been visiting since he was a child. "I've been coming here for 75 years," he says proudly, his son and grandson browsing nearby.

"I grew up in Skipton, and later I used to bring my pupils here on school trips to the Brontë Museum. I don't care about brand, I just buy what I like. This place is full of memories."

Down the hill, past flower-filled window boxes and creaking signs, sits Oh La La, a charming stationery shop. Behind the counter, Michelle Smith smiles as she recalls how she and her husband first fell for the village.

"We came here on our honeymoon because I'm a huge Brontë fan," she says. "We loved it so much we promised we'd move here when we retired, and we did.

"This shop used to be where the Brontë sisters bought their writing paper, so it felt right to keep that tradition going."

In Haworth, every shopkeeper seems to share the same quiet pride. The big brands have never arrived, and locals would prefer it that way. Between the moors, the cobbles, and the clinking of old cash registers, this is a village that has kept its soul firmly intact.