Bradford is a city celebrated for its vibrant history and culture. With its impressive Gothic style City Hall and past as a 19th century hub for the global wool trade, Bradford has a rich architectural history that regularly sees it standing in for European cities in film and TV productions from around the world.
Today Bradford is home to diverse international communities, offering visitors a chance to experience different cultures, cuisines and customs. Bradford’s museums also offer a wealth of opportunities to learn about the past and present of Bradford, from the textile industry to contemporary art.
The fact that Bradford is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Saltaire) and was the first UNESCO City of Film speaks to its cultural significance on a global scale. Its vibrant cultural scene, including festivals, art exhibits, and live performances, ensures that there is always something exciting happening in the city.
Museums & Galleries | Myths & Legends | Hidden Gems | Food & Drink
Local Cultural Heroes
The Brontë Sisters
The sisters, Charlotte (1816–1855), Emily (1818–1848) and Anne (1820–1849), were born in Thornton and lived in Haworth. Book tickets for Brontë events at BLF 2023.
David Hockney
David Hockney was born in Bradford in 1937. He is the UK’s greatest living artist, constantly working and innovating. Book tickets for Hockney events at BLF 2023.
A.A. Dhand
A.A. Dhand was raised in Bradford. The history, diversity and darkness of the city inspired his Harry Virdee novels. See A.A. Dhand at BLF 2023.
Frederick Delius
Born in Bradford in 1862, an influential composer who wrote music in a wide variety of genres, including chamber music, song and opera.
JB Priestley
Born and brought up in in Bradford, John Boynton Priestley was a highly successful and prolific English novelist, playwright, screenwriter and broadcaster.
Anita Rani
Bradford born and bred, award-winning presenter Anita Rani is one of the most recognisable faces on British TV. See Anita Rani at BLF 2023.
Andrea Dunbar
Andrea Dunbar (1961-1990) was a Bradfordian playwright whose first play, The Arbor, was written at the age of 15.
Sally Anne Wainwright OBE
English television writer, producer, and director from nearby Sowerby Bridge. Created Gentleman Jack and Happy Valley.
Michael Hirst
Michael Hirst is a screenwriter and producer best known for Elizabeth, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, The Tudors and Vikings.
Museums & Galleries
Salt’s Mill & Hockney 1853 Gallery
Four comprehensive art galleries featuring over 400 works by David Hockney, set in a Grade II listed mill building in the UNESCO World Heritage Site village of Saltaire.
Science and Media Museum & Wonderlab
The museum is undergoing renovation. Please check it is open during your visit.
Brontë Parsonage Museum
The Brontë Parsonage Museum is a writer’s house museum maintained by the Brontë Society in honour of the Brontë sisters – Charlotte, Emily and Anne.
Cartwright Hall & Gallery
Cartwright Hall (Lister Park) opened as a gallery in 1904 and houses historic and modern works, including a collection by David Hockney.
Bradford Industrial Museum
Located in Eccleshill, the museum specialises in relics of local industry, especially printing and textile machinery, kept in working condition for regular demonstrations to the public.
The Bradford Police Museum
Discover the history and heritage of policing, criminal justice, civic enforcement and the development of crime and punishment in Bradford from the early 19th century onwards. City Hall Bradford.
Hidden Gems
Waterstones Bradford
Waterstones Bradford – Britain’s most beautiful bookshop?
Hockney – A Portrait in Nails
Marcus Levine’s al fresco portrait of local legend David Hockney. Chapel Street/Peckover Street, Little Germany area.
Artz-I Islamic Art & Gifts
Hidden gallery with unique pieces of art. Longside Lane.
Mustafa Mount
Beautiful space with a Mosque, contemplation area, organic café, and book shop. Emm Lane.
Kala Sangam
Multidisciplinary arts centre & cafe. Foster Court.
South Square, Thornton
Contemporary art studio and vegetarian cafe. Thornton village.
The Brontë Stones Walk
9-mile walk from Thornton to Haworth marked by stones representing each sister. Curated and delivered by BLF, and originated by writer Michael Stewart.
Food & Drink
Pizza Pieces, Market Street
The Exchange Craft Beer House, Market Street
The Record Café, North Parade
Plenty at the Square (Vegan and Vegetarian Cafe), Thornton
BrewDog Bradford, Great Horton Road
City Vaults, Hustlergate
House of Bread, Polish Bakery, Frizinghall
My Lahore Bradford, Great Horton Road
Sunbridge Wells, Aldermanbury BD1
Dandelion Café (Vegan), Saltaire
Salts Diner, Saltaire
Saltaire Brewery, Dockfield Road, Shipley
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