ARTS
Victorian museums hosting modern artists, 21st century
performances surrounded by Edwardian architecture alongside innovative
festivals. If you want to become
immersed in culture then Bradford district is the place to choose.
Bradford was awarded the title of the world’s first UNESCO
City of Film due to the city’s rich film heritage and its inspirational movie
locations. Bradford has been a film location since the beginning of cinema,
with its indigenous film industry being traced back to the years around the
First World War. To this day Bradford district is still chosen and featured in
top films and TV series.
Bradford is proud of its cultural heritage. This city was
the birthplace of the famous artist David Hockney, and you can be enthralled by
his works at Salts Mill and Cartwright Hall.
Salts
Mill
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 whole area is of architectural
and historical interest.
1853 Gallery David Hockney
Salts Mill is home to one of the largest collections of
David Hockney’s art. On the ground floor you will find the 1853 Gallery which
houses a permanent exhibition of works by David Hockney.
Gallery 2 and the Saltaire Exhibition
On the second floor beyond Salts Book and Poster Shop is
Gallery 2 and the Saltaire Exhibition. Gallery 2 has a collection of work by
Henry Marvell Carr R.A entitled “The Textile Process” and Simon Palmer’s
collection of Saltaire paintings and drawings. At the rear of the gallery is
the Saltaire Exhibition which is a fascinating exhibition which explores
Saltaire’s history from 1853 to the present day.
Shopping
If you enjoy shopping then take time to explore the many
independent shops in the mill which include everything from bikes to antiques.
Stroll around the Salts Book and Poster shop and browse in The Home a luxury
home ware and furniture shop.
Cafes and Restaurants
A popular choice with locals and visitors alike is Salts
Diner, found on the second floor. If you just fancy a coffee visit The Espresso
Bar (go through the Diner and turn left). On the third floor is Salts Mill’s
excellent fish restaurant, Café in the Opera (open Wed – Sun 10am – 5pm).
Cartwright Hall
Cartwright Hall is Bradford’s civic art gallery and offers
an exciting programme of contemporary exhibitions, with four permanent
galleries displaying works from its art collections. The collections consist
mainly of 19th and 20th century British art, with strong collections of
international contemporary prints and contemporary South Asian art and crafts.
THE HOCKNEY GALLERY
This gallery dedicated to the work of Bradford born artist
David Hockney, showcases Bradford’s unrivalled public collection. It includes
early work and provides an introduction to his life and art with a particular
focus on Yorkshire and Bradford.
LISTER PARK
Cartwright Hall is set in the magnificent, Green
Flag-awarded grounds of Lister Park, with a boating lake, adventure playground
and Mughal Gardens.
Stroll around Lister Park to view sculpture and public
artwork, some on loan by the artists, others from Bradford’s own collections.
There is also a privately run cafe in the Lister Park boat
house that serves hot and cold drinks, food and ice-cream. Open April –
September, 12 noon -7pm; October 11am – 5pm (weekend only). If the weather is
good you may find the cafe open outside the usual hours!
Family
Days Out
If you are looking to experience live entertainment, you
won’t be disappointed. There are always have new festivals being introduced
such as the Bradford Family Film Festival, or the long established ones such as
Ilkley Literature Festival and Saltaire Festival.
Spend time together as a family and enjoy a day out in
Bradford district. Bradford offers great value for money with its many free
attractions and activities.
When the sun is shining, burn off some energy at one of the
districts many parks; with a boating lake at Lister Park, the Totem and Play
Trail around Peel Park or adventure playground in Bingley St Ives. You can
enjoy splashing around in the outdoor pool at Ilkley Lido or simply play by the
river in Roberts Park, Saltaire.
There is still plenty to do on those rainy days as
well. There are many free attractions
such as the National Science and Media Museum, Cartwright Hall and Cliffe
Castle Museum. Look out for the activities for children run by Bradford museums
and galleries during the school holidays.
For something a bit different try the Bradford IMAX or travel by steam
train on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway and the Embsay and Bolton
Abbey Steam Railway.
Events and festivals are run througout the year as well
child friendly theatre performances and Big Screen Film and Fun Wednesdays in
City Park. So you really can guarantee the children won’t get bored in Bradford
district.
Rich
& Varied Heritage
Bradford has a rich and fascinating history from Roman
remains to Victorian grandeur. With a long industrial heritage, Bradford is
proud to have once been the wool capital of the world which lead to pioneers
such as Sir Titus Salt to build businesses in the area. You don’t have to go
far to find out more, simply walk the streets and look up at the architecture
or learn more about Bradford’s history at Bradford Cathedral and Bradford
Industrial Museum or visit the magnificent Bolling Hall a 17th century mansion
house.
Nearby Saltaire, a model Victorian village and a UNESCO
World Heritage site is a joy to visit and make sure you join a guided walk to
learn more about the village’s past. Saltaire became a UNESCO World Heritage
Site, thanks to its preservation as a Victorian industrial village. Mill owner
Sir Titus Salt built the village for his workers and today Saltaire attracts
millions of visitors to its magnificent architecture.
Today his great mill complex is the key feature of Saltaire,
but make sure you visit Saltaire United Reformed Church – one of Britain’s most
precious Victorian architectural treasures.
Bradford
& Beyond
Renowned for its rolling hills and rugged moorland, Bradford
district is a paradise for walkers and cyclists or to simply escape and enjoy
the big blue skies and inspiring views. Depending when you visit the
countryside can be either tranquil and inviting or wild and windswept.
The rugged and beautiful Pennine countryside and open spaces
is what makes Bradford district picturesque and inviting and home to many
fantastic walks taking in spectacular views.
You can take a walk on Ilkley Moor where you’ll find
breathtaking views and the Swastika Stone, one of the many carved pre-historic
rocks found on the moor. You can visit Brontë Country and explore the rugged
moorland once inspiration for the Brontë sisters.
So whether you want to grab your walking boots and
binoculars, or jump on your bike, the decision is yours but Bradford district
is the obvious choice!
Whats on
The moment you set foot in Bradford & district you’ll
discover inspirational things to see and do. There’s a flourishing arts
scene… fascinating exhibitions… energetic theatres… compelling events…
plus stacks of live music to keep you enthralled.
Bradford Festival brings a vibrant, colourful and
multicultural programme of the very best international, British and local
theatre, art, music and dance right into the heart of the Bradford, in the multi-award winning public space, City Park.
The 2020 Bradford Festival will take place 10-12 July.
Haworth plays host a a wide range of themed events
throughout the season, from the Haworth 1940s to the quirky Steampunk Weekend
in October.
Haworth’s Steampunk Weekend – 11th to 13th
October 2019
Come and enjoy Haworth’s Steampunk Weekend, dress up or just
mingle.
Held every year since 2013 the event has gone from strength
to strength, come along and enjoy the atmosphere.
The steampunk genre re imagines Victorian & Edwardian
science fiction in a “retro-futuristic” style.
Events taking place over the course of the weekend include
street entertainers, bands, and a very special “Steampunk Burlesque”
show.
If literature is your passion, walk in the footsteps of the
Brontë family at the historic Brontë Parsonage Museum. Booklovers will be spoilt for choice at
Bradford & Ilkley Literature Festivals.
Brontë Parsonage Museum
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 celebrated it 90th
anniversary of opening its doors to visitors in 2018. 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.
Ilkley Literature Festivals 4th to 20th
October 2019
The North’s liveliest, most prestigious Literature Festival
• Over 200 events over seventeen days • Authors’ events, Discussions, Readings,
Performances, Workshops, Reader’s Events, Literary Walks, Poetry, Festival
Fringe, Children’s and Young People’s Weekend.
Saltaire Festival takes place annually in September, a feast
of music, theatre, comedy, heritage, art, sculpture, food and drink, and so
much more. There are numerous arts events
during the year brought to you by Saltaire Inspired – Open Houses Trail, Makers Fair, and the
Saltaire Living Advent Calendar .
About Saltaire 13th to 22nd September 2019
The Victorian mill village of Saltaire was founded in 1851
by Sir Titus Salt, a leading industrialist in the Yorkshire woollen industry.
Salt relocated his five factories from Bradford, into one, bespoke textile mill
on land adjacent to the Leeds Liverpool Canal, and designed a village around it
to house his workers (later named Saltaire, after its creator, and the river by
which it stands). Picturesque stone cottages provided homes to Salt’s
employees, and the village included facilities such as a school, park, hospital
and church. This exceptional village is widely regarded as a prime example of
its Victorian times and was given UNESCO World Heritage Site status in December
2001
The festival programme covers two weekends and the week in
between. The first weekend features the popular Open Gardens trail, giving
visitors the opportunity to explore the village and its history through its
current residents. Yards and gardens will host works by local sculptors, in
association with Saltaire Inspired, and there will be pop-up and surprise
events in homes around the village, with children’s and family activities in
the village and Roberts Park. The festival concludes with food, drink and
markets in Roberts Park, as well as free live music and entertainment on both
days. Music is a key feature of the festival and, whatever your taste, there should
be something of interest for you. Free and ticketed events take place over the
course of the 10 days, offering a mix of styles and genres
You’ll find the hottest creative talent around showcased in
our many galleries too. Be sure not to
miss popular festivals at the National Science + Media Museum – Yorkshire Games
Festival, the Bradford Science Festival, and Widescreen Weekend.
