Bradford

Birthplace of the Brontë sisters and artist David Hockney, Bradford is part of the sprawling Bradford-Leeds metropolitan area. However, it is a vibrant city in its own right and is home to several top attractions including the National Science and Media Museum and it makes an affordable base for making excursions to Haworth and Saltaire.

With a little over half a million people living within the city limits, Bradford is the third-largest city in Yorkshire and the sixth-largest in England. Its heyday was during the 19th century when it became an Industrial Revolution boomtown and a prominent centre for the textile industry with much of the world’s wool being processed in the city. Bradford’s industrial heritage is celebrated in the Bradford Industrial Museum in a residential area to the northeast of the city centre.

Not many tourists make it to Bradford; however, it does have a city centre full of Victorian architecture and a couple of interesting sights including the excellent National Science and Media Museum as well as some great cultural destinations such as the Alhambra Theatre and Cartwright Hall. It is also home to the Grade I-listed Wool Exchange building which has the most beautiful Waterstones bookshop in the country.

Coming and going

Although nearby Leeds is a bigger transport hub, it is also possible to travel to most destinations throughout England directly from Bradford.

Bradford Interchange is the city’s main station, which handles both rail and coach services to Leeds, London, Manchester and to other destinations throughout England.

Leeds Bradford Airport has flights to European destinations, although long-haul flights need to be made either from Manchester Airport or by connecting through Amsterdam.

Sights and activities in Bradford

Places to stay in Bradford