Things To Do In Bradford
Bradford is a city with a rich cultural heritage. There is a huge variety of things to do and see in and around Bradford, we hope the information below is enough to whet your appetite - it is far from an exhaustive list...
Explore Bradford City Centre
Yarnspinners Tours
The Yarnspinners specialise in interesting, informative, fun tours of Bradford. They run a wide range of tours including ghost walks around Victorian Bradford, a heritage tour of Saltaire, open top bus rides around the city and much more.
Architecture
Bradford is full of impressive architecture to marvel at. Notable examples include the City Hall in Centenary Squarea and the Wool Exchange on Market Street - both grade I listed 19th century buildings. Little Germany, the historic commercial quarter is rich in historical and architectural interest and attracts 100,000 visitors a year.
Explore Bradford District
Saltaire
Situated alongside the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, Saltaire is a Victorian-era model village built by Sir Titus Salt to house the workers at his textile mill. Today Saltaire is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Saltaire is around 10 minutes train travel from Forster Square station.
Salt's Mill is a grade II listed historic mill building was built in 1853 by Sir Titus Salt. Today the mill contains four art galleries which feature over 400 works by David Hockney.
Ilkley
Ilkley is a roman spa town about 30 minutes train ride from Bradford's Forster Square station. Ilkley is noted for its Victorian architecture, wide streets and floral displays
To the south of the town is Ilkley Moor (the source of inspiration behing the unofficial Yorkshire anthem "On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at"). With its abundance of interesting rock formations and many ancient carved stones Ilkley Moor is a wonderful place to go walking.
Bronte Country
The beautiful village of Haworth was once the home of the Brontes - possibly the most famous literary family in the world. You can get to Haworth by Steam Train on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway service.
Arts, Culture & Entertainment
City Of Film
In June 2009 Bradford was named the first UNESCO City Of Film. Hardly surprising when you think of the number of classic films connected with the city (Billy Liar, The Railway Children Room at the Top, The Dresser, Private Function & Monty Python's The Meaning of Life to name a few).
National Media Museum
Opened in 1983 The National Media Museum (formerly National Museum of Photography, Film and Television) is the most popular
museum in the UK outside London. The museum's mission is to "Engage, inspire and educate by promoting an understanding and
appreciation of photography, film, television, radio and the web; using our collection and knowledge to deliver a cultural
programme accessibly and authoritatively."
Among its many exhibits the museum boast three cinemas, including the first IMAX
screen in Europe.
Alhambra Theatre
Built in 1914 and refurbished in 1986 the Alhambra is widely regarded as the North's premier touring venue. The Alhambra plays host to the best in large scale entertainment from ballet and opera to variety and comedy, musicals, drama and Yorkshire's biggest panto!
Companies who have appeared at the Alhambra include the Royal Shakespeare Company, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Northern Ballet Theatre and the Royal National Theatre as well as West End musicals such as Grease, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Starlight Express and The Phantom of the Opera.
St. George's Hall
Renowned for its exceptional acoustics and an intimate atmosphere, St. George's Hall seats over 1,500 people and is a popular choice for bands at the cutting edge of British music and also attracts big names in variety entertainment. The venue hosts one of the UKs longest running Orchestral Seasons, with the Halle as resident orchestra.
Cartwright Hall & Lister Park
Cartwright Hall is a purpose built art gallery constructed in the Baroque style in 1904. As well as a collection of permanent works (from Old Masters to 20th Century British painters and sculptors), the gallery also contains ontemporary exhibitions by local, national and international artists.
As well as Cartwright Hall, Lister Park also features botanical gardens, a boating lake and seven Grade II listed buildings. In 2006 it was voted Britain's Best Park and nominated for the Best Park In Europe.