Discover Bradford: Film Culture, Heritage and Landscape

Bradford became the world’s first UNESCO City of Film in 2009. The Bradford District brings together urban and rural landscapes that have served as backdrops for numerous film and television productions. This offers visitors a wide range of themes to explore during their stay: film and media, industrial heritage, art, literature and trails through the landscape.

Film, Media and Art

The National Science and Media Museum explores the science and culture of light and sound technologies and their impact on our lives. Its facilities include a 52-foot-high IMAX screen, the largest in the region. Film and media sit alongside technical and cultural questions that shape everyday life.

Bradford itself also preserves different chapters of its history. Little Germany comprises 85 buildings constructed between 1855 and 1890, 55 of which are listed. Cartwright Hall opened as an art gallery in 1904 and is located in Lister Park. Artists featured there include Lowry, Warhol, Lichtenstein and Anish Kapoor.

Industrial Heritage and Literature

Saltaire is an exceptionally complete and well-preserved industrial village dating from the second half of the 19th century. Its town plan remains intact, and Saltaire is part of the European Route of Industrial Heritage. The Saltaire Village Heritage Trail covers ten notable buildings and landmarks. The 1853 Gallery on the ground floor of Salts Mill also hosts a permanent exhibition of works by David Hockney.

Bradford Industrial Museum has permanent exhibitions on textile machinery, steam power, engineering and motor vehicles. Regular demonstrations of working machinery by staff and volunteers complement these themes. The Brontë Parsonage Museum offers a different historical focus: the parsonage was the home of the Brontë family from 1820 to 1861. The museum houses the world’s largest and most important collection of Brontë manuscripts, artworks, and household and personal items.

In Bingley, the Five Rise Locks mark another chapter in the area’s heritage. This flight of locks is the steepest in Britain and is a Grade I listed structure. The Mirror Pool in Bradford City Park also stands out for its size: it is the largest urban water feature in the United Kingdom.

Trails and Landscapes in the Bradford District

The Bradford District’s public rights-of-way network extends for more than 1,000 kilometres and is designated for walking, horse riding and cycling. The 45-mile Millennium Way lies entirely within the administrative boundary of the Metropolitan District of Bradford. Along the way, visitors can enjoy views of woodland, moorland, streams, reservoirs and picturesque valleys. Its length and the landscapes along the route give the trail a clear appeal for anyone wanting to explore the district on foot.

The Great Northern Railway Trail offers another specific route: it runs 4.1 miles from Queensbury to Cullingworth and crosses the Grade II listed Hewenden Viaduct. Nature takes centre stage at Bradford Pennine Gateway National Nature Reserve, the first nature reserve of its kind in West Yorkshire. Around 90 per cent of its area consists of UK habitats of principal importance, including peat bogs, heathland and wetlands.

Planning Your Stay

For travel by train, Bradford Interchange and Bradford Forster Square are Bradford’s two main railway stations. Food can also be a highlight of a trip: dishes available in Bradford include Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Rogan Josh, Biryani, kebabs, Samosa Chaat and large naan breads. The choice ranges from media and art to literature and industrial history, as well as landscapes and food. When planning a hotel stay, your preferred focus can help guide your choice: would you like to centre your trip on culture, historical heritage or time outdoors on the trails?

Discover more destinations: Bingley, Shipley, Keighley, Ilkley, Haworth, Bradford, West Yorkshire, Wakefield.

For the main travel overview: Yorkshire And The Humber.