A much-loved Haworth pub that many feared was lost for good is set to reopen its doors this week, thanks to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and a team of dedicated volunteers.
The Royal Oak, long a favourite with locals, visitors to Brontë Country and railway enthusiasts alike, has been brought back to life after its sudden closure in 2024. Now under railway ownership, the pub is beginning a new chapter as a community-run local.
Once part of Webster’s Brewery, the building later passed into private hands and even weathered a major flood—before closing without warning. Its future looked uncertain, but the railway’s intervention has ensured it remains at the heart of the village.
As part of the project, the upper floor—formerly living accommodation—will be used as office space for the railway, while the downstairs bar returns to its roots as a welcoming, volunteer-run pub for both residents and visitors.
For many connected to the railway, The Royal Oak holds decades of memories. Since the line reopened in 1968, it became a regular meeting place for staff, volunteers and passengers, with its snug—decorated in railway photographs and memorabilia—earning a special place in local folklore.
Sam MacDougall, one of the volunteers involved in the reopening, said:
“Ever since our railway reopened in 1968, The Royal Oak was a favourite watering hole. We were all dismayed when it closed so suddenly.
We see our railway as part of Haworth and the wider Worth Valley community. Reopening The Royal Oak as a community pub is our way of giving something back to the village that has supported us for so long.”
The railway already has a strong track record for hospitality through The Old Parcels Office, its popular venue above the platforms at Keighley Station, known for local ales, hearty food and a warm welcome.
Across the railway, that same ethos continues—from locally brewed cask ales served on board trains to refreshment rooms at Oxenhope and Oakworth showcasing Yorkshire produce.
The return of The Royal Oak is not just good news for the railway, but for Haworth itself—one of Yorkshire’s most visited destinations. It’s a reminder that with community spirit and a bit of determination, even pubs facing closure can find a new future.
Doors reopen on Thursday, 30th April
ready to welcome back familiar faces, and a few new ones too
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The Royal Oak, 2 Mill Hey, Haworth, West Yorkshire. BD22 8NQ. |
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