Welcome to the city of dreams, the former curry capital of Britain, the epicentre of the Industrial Revolution, the wool capital of the world, the birthplace of the Bronte sisters, the hometown of David Hockney, the city of Seabrook crisps, one of the oldest concert halls in Europe, and the inaugural UNESCO City of Film; welcome to Bradford. To help show you around this vibrant city, we’ve put together a local guide ticking off some of the top attractions Bradford has to offer, as well as excellent restaurants and drinking dens where you can refuel before sampling the city’s diverse entertainment scene. It doesn’t matter which one of our Bradford hotels you’re staying at, there are great days out on your doorstep; see how much you can tick off while you’re here.
Things to do in Bradford
Activities
As you’d expect, ‘the wool capital of the world’ played a pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution. Take a trip back in time and imagine what life was like in Bradford during the 19th century by paying a visit to the Bradford Industrial Museum, which alongside the likes of Salts Mill, Cartwright Hall, and the National Science and Media Museum, offer some excellent days out.
Entertainment
With half a dozen excellent entertainment options for you to choose from, all you need to do is decide whether you want to see a show in one of the top theatres in the North East, one of the oldest concert halls in Europe, two sports teams that like to do things the hard way, and a couple of live music venues perfect if you want to catch a gig during your stay in Bradford.
Places to eat
Bradford was the curry capital of the UK a record six times in a row. While it no longer holds that tasty title today, you can bet your bottom dollar there’s a banging bhuna with your name on it right here in Bradford. As well as curries, our local guide has top tips on chippies, fine dining, and delicious cafés.
Nightlife
Weave and wind your way around the top watering holes in the city with the help of our mini bar crawl around Bradford. Take your pick from the edgy bars of North Parade, sun-soaked beer gardens, and subterranean drinking in the renovated Victorian tunnels beneath Bradford.
Shopping
A shopping spree is a sure fire way to kill some time. In Bradford, there are a handful of great retail options for you to choose from. By far and away the most popular is The Broadway Bradford. It’s a new addition to the city offering over 80 stores including the likes of H&M, Kurt Geiger, M&S, and Topshop. Your other options include the Kirkgate Shopping Centre, home of the Market Hall, Primark, New Look and Sports Direct. Nearby, one of Bradford’s most impressive buildings – The Wool Exchange – has been transformed into a huge Waterstone’s. While, beneath Bradford, in the subterranean Victorian tunnels accessible from City Park and Sunbridge Road, Sunbridge Wells is well worth throwing into your city shopping spree, particularly if you’re hungry for a snack or something to drink.