Penistone Hill country park, Haworth. Photo: Bob Smith Photography

A new national nature reserve is being created on the moorlands near the home of the literary Brontë sisters in West Yorkshire.

Penistone Hill Country Park at Haworth is one of eight areas making up the new Bradford Pennine Gateway reserve.

The reserve, the seventh in the King’s series celebrating the coronation of Charles III, is the first in West Yorkshire. Natural England, the government advisory body for the outdoors, said it will provide people with opportunity to enjoy the landscapes that inspired and were celebrated by the famous sisters.

“The reserve spans 1,274ha (3,148 acres) – twice the size of Ilkley Moor – and links eight nature sites within the Bradford and South Pennines area, two of which are internationally important upland habitats, and much loved places such as Penistone country park in Haworth, home of the Brontës,” it said.

“The establishment of this reserve will bridge this gap between the city of Bradford and the countryside by highlighting a range of important habitats just a stone’s throw from people’s homes. A national nature reserve next to one of the UK’s youngest cities will also help to break down barriers for young people accessing the countryside in one of England’s most nature deprived areas.

“Approximately 90 per cent of the area comprises UK priority habitats, including peat bogs, heathlands, and wetlands. Endangered wildlife such adders, curlew, and golden plover will benefit from greater protections and better connected habitats.”

The art installation Literary Landscapes by Irish artist Martin Heron on Penistone Hill marks the area's literary importance. Photo: Bob Smith Photography

The agency said 42 per cent of the reserve will be newly protected, with 738ha (58 per cent) designated as site of special scientific interest, contributing to national conservation efforts to protect 30 per cent of land for nature by 2030.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport, said: “We are delighted that Bradford has such an important role in the national roll-out [of] national nature reserves across the country, being the first in West Yorkshire.”

Bradford is best known as a post-industrial city, with one of the youngest populations in the country. The district was designated UK City of Culture 2025.

“Around two-thirds of our district is rural, and we boast unique and breathtaking scenery,” Cllr Ross-Shaw said. “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.”

Natural England said, with the support of the King, it will leave a lasting public legacy for people and nature by creating or extending 25 national nature reserves by 2027.

Its chair Tony Juniper said: “Reversing the historic declines in nature and moving toward ecological recovery requires bigger, better and more joined up areas for nature to thrive.

Penistone Hill country park, includes former quarry workings. Photo: Bob Smith Photography

“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.”

National nature reserves were established to protect some of the country’s most important habitats, species and geology, and to provide ‘outdoor laboratories’ for research. Most offer opportunities to schools, specialist interest groups and the public to experience wildlife at first hand and to learn more about nature conservation.

There are currently 221 NNRs in England with a total area of over 110,000ha – about 0.8 per cent of the country’s land surface. The largest is The Wash covering almost 8,800ha, while Dorset’s Horn Park Quarry is the smallest at 0.32ha.