The Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth has been recognised for its “outstanding collection” of Bronte artefacts.

The museum become the 155th Designated Collection in England, celebrating the outstanding compilation of items belonging to and created by the Brontë family found in their family home in Haworth, Yorkshire.

It is the only museum awarded designation by Arts Council England [ACE] this year.

Rebecca Yorke, Director of the Brontë Parsonage Museum, said: “The Brontë Society was founded in 1893 with the purpose of establishing a museum to promote interest in the life and works of the Brontë family.

"Since then, our collections of Brontë manuscripts, furniture, clothing and personal possessions – the largest in the world – have continued to fascinate and inspire generations of visitors. We are pleased beyond measure by Arts Council England’s decision to designate our collection as Outstanding, and believe our founders of 130 years ago would have felt just as proud of this achievement as we do today.”

The Brontë Parsonage Museum collection includes over 8,000 items including handwritten letters, poems and ‘Little Books’; sketches, drawings and paintings; clothing and jewellery that belonged to Anne, Charlotte and Emily Brontë, their brother Branwell and father Patrick.