Local Attractions
www.visitbradford.com
www.touristnetuk.com
Salts Mill & 1853 Gallery
Salts Mill, Victoria Road, Saltaire, BD18 3LB
Tel: 01274 531163
http://www.saltsmill.org.uk
Salts Mill is set in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Saltaire. The Grade II Listed historic mill building was built in 1853 by Sir Titus Salt along with the village to house his workers.
The mill contains four comprehensive art galleries including the 1853 Gallery, which altogether feature over 400 works by David Hockney. Salts Mill is also home to a variety of shops and places to eat.
The whole area is of architectural and historical interest.
Bolling Hall
Brompton Avenue, Bradford, BD4 7LP
Tel: 01274 431212
http://www.bradfordmuseums.org/home/
Bolling Hall offers visitors a fascinating journey through the lives and times of the Bradford families for whom it provided a home over five hundred years.
Situated just a mile from Bradford city centre and situated in a quiet, leafy garden, Bolling Hall was for many years the seat of two important land-owning families, the Bollings and the Tempests.
With parts of the building dating from the Medieval, Bolling Hall is a rambling mixture of styles with every nook and cranny packed with history. During the Civil War the household supported the Royalist cause, and the house provided a stronghold during the 'siege of Bradford'.
Rooms are furnished and decorated to give an accurate taste of life at different periods of the house's history, and the fascinating furniture on display includes a superb bed made for Harewood House by Thomas Chippendale.
Spend some time exploring a different side of Bradford's heritage - but watch out for an appearance by the 'White Lady' in the Ghost Room!
Bradford Industrial Museum
Moorside Road, Eccleshill, Bradford, BD9 4NS
Tel: 01274 431212
http://www.bradfordmuseums.org/home/
Moorside Mills was built around 1875 as a small worsted spinning Mill by John Moore. Ownership of the mills changed many times, and they developed and grew. In 1970, Bradford Council bought Moorside Mills from Messrs. W & J Whitehead to create an innovative museum.
Bradford's Industrial Museum has permanent displays of textile machinery, steam power, engineering and motor vehicles, along with an exciting exhibitions programme. You can enjoy the splendour of the Mill Owner's House, or visit the more humble Mill-workers' terraces. Moorside Mills is also home to the museum's team of working horses. Some of the horses may be out working on the streets of Bradford or even starring in a film or television programme, but there will always be at least one in the stables for you to meet. Weather permitting, you can also enjoy a ride in a horse-drawn vehicle.
National Media Museum
National Media Museum, Bradford, BD1 1NQ
Tel: 0870 70 10 200
www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk
The National Media Museum is a fabulous free museum in Bradford, West Yorkshire devoted to film, photography, TV, radio and the web.
Journey through popular photography, visit IMAX, the world's most powerful giant screen experience, discover the past, present and future of television in Experience TV, watch your favourite TV moments in TV Heaven, play with light, lenses and colour in the Magic Factory and explore the world of animation and watch a real animator at work in the Animation Gallery. The museum also hosts children's parties, sleepovers, and festivals covering animation, cult movies, and the latest films.
Every weekend and during school holidays there is a packed schedule of free exciting tours, talks and activities for everyone to get involved in.
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday (along with Bank and school holiday Mondays) from 10:00am until 6.00pm. Admission to the National Media Museum is FREE (charges apply for cinemas/IMAX).
Keighley and Worth Valley Railway
Haworth Station, Keighley, BD22 8NJ
Tel: 01535 645214
www.kwvr.co.uk
The steep gradient up the Worth Valley from the Keighley terminus has been a challenge for locomotives ever since the line opened on 15th April 1867. The sound of a steam engine tackling this climb echoes from the steep sides of the valley, while great clouds of steam and smoke add drama to the scene. Many of the woollen mills that once stood close to the line have been demolished, but a few remain as reminders that the textile industry was the reason why the line was built. Like the railway, the mills relied on coal, and the trains were able to bring hundreds of tons up the valley each week to keep the looms working by steam power. The five mile journey is a powerful reminder of our industrial heritage, as well as being a unique way of enjoying the beautiful countryside immortalised by Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë.
When British Railways closed the line in 1962, local people and railway enthusiasts joined forces to try and save it. A Preservation Society was formed and after many years of volunteer struggle the line re-opened to passenger traffic on 29th June 1968. The decision to recreate the atmosphere of a 1950s branch line has been hugely popular, not least with film makers and TV producers. Over the years, the Railway has appeared in many TV and film productions including Yanks, Sherlock Holmes, Last of the Summer Wine, Treasure Hunt, Sons and Lovers, Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, Poirot, Born and Bred, The Royal, Where The Heart Is, A Touch Of Frost, Songs Of Praise, and Pink Floyd's The Wall.
The railway has many events throughout the year, ideal for a family day out.
The Railway is perhaps most famous for its role in the 1970 film version of Edith Nesbit's story The Railway Children To learn more about the making of this classic film, including details of the locations used, pictures showing the film being made, details of the locomotives and coaches used, memories of those involved, and much more.
Bronte Parsonage Museum
Church Street, Haworth, BD22 8DR
Tel: 01535 642323
www.bronte.org.uk
The Brontes are the world's most famous literary family and Haworth Parsonage was their home from 1820 to 1861. Charlotte, Emily and Anne Bronte were the authors of some of the best loved books in the English language.
The beautifully preserved museum has been opening its doors to visitors for over 75 years. Set between the unique village of Haworth, and the wild moorland beyond, this homely Georgian house still retains the atmosphere of the Brontes' time.
The rooms they once used are filled with their furniture, clothes and personal possessions and displays are changed annually, so you can always be sure of seeing something new.
Alhambra Theatre
Morley Street, Bradford, BD7 1AJ
Tel: 01274 432000
www.bradford-theatres.co.uk
The Alhambra Theatre is the jewel in the crown of Bradford. Built in 1914 and refurbished in 1986 with stunning results, it is a testimony to the splendour of the Edwardian music hall era.
Today, the Alhambra is regarded as the North's premier touring venue and hosts the best in large scale entertainment from ballet and opera to variety and comedy, musicals, drama and, of course, the annual pantomime.
Regular visits are made from prestigious companies such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Northern Ballet Theatre and the Royal National Theatre to compliment spectacular West End musicals such as Grease, Whistle Down the Wind and The Phantom of the Opera.
The facilities of the building and high quality of the programme ensure that the Alhambra Theatre is popular with patrons throughout the region as well as being a source of pride in Bradford.
Bradford Cathedral
1 Stott Hill, Bradford, BD1 4EH
Tel: 01274 777720
www.bradfordcathedral.org
Bradford's beautiful Cathedral is a hidden jewel waiting to be discovered. Set in tranquil gardens where once battle raged, the Cathedral is alive with a sense of story from its 13 centuries at the heart of Bradford.
This, the third church on the site, is 500 years old, with 20th century additions. Bradford's most ancient place of worship is friendly, peaceful and fascinating, with many special features. The Cathedral is home to some of William Morris' earliest stained glass. There is bronze and embroidery designed by Ernest Sichel. Sculpture by Flaxman, Alan Collins and John Shaw, and windows and woodcarvings delight the eye, as well as art exhibitions and events in the Cathedral.
Guided tours, and reflective pilgrim tours can be booked ahead, and the Cathedral offers an exiciting programme for schools and colleges.
Bradford was the birthplace of Delius, and is still a place of music. The music of many cultures and traditions express the vitality of this immensely varied city. The Cathedral has a fine tradition of music, with a rich heritage of choral and organ music to explore and enjoy in a regular pattern of services and organ recitals. It is also a wonderful venue for chamber concerts, including an annual series during Autumn and Winter.
Bradford's ancient parish church is a civic church, and a diocesan cathedral. Throughout the year there are many services which are colourful and interesting to the visitor, as they reflect local or national life, or the festivals of the Christian Year. All are welcome. Details from the Cathedral Office, (tel: 01274 777720) or email secretary@cathedral.bradford.anglican.org.