Gomersal Lodge Hotel and nearby sports venues in Cleckheaton, England

The Gomersal Lodge is an ideal base for touring the beauty spots of Yorkshire. The Gomersal Lodge, formerly named High Royd, was built for Mary Taylor on her return from New Zealand in 1860. Mary Taylor became famous because of her friendship with Charlotte Bronte which lasted until Charlotte's death in 1855. She was an inspiration and a driving force to Charlotte Bronte, encouraging her to go to Brussels which provided the experience on which her novels 'Villette' and 'The Professor' were based. The Taylor family and their home, Red House in Gomersal (now the Red House Museum) are recognised as the models for the Yorke Family and Briarmains in Charlotte Bronte's novel 'Shirley'. Rose Yorke is based on Mary Taylor. Mary's own novel was 'Miss Miles' or 'A Tale of Yorkshire Life 60 Years Ago', but she wrote many published articles asserting feminist views. Mary Taylor lived at High Royd until her death on 1st March, 1893. She is buried in the graveyard of St. Mary's Parish Church in Gomersal.