Last Updated on August 14, 2026 by Tavernier’s Travels
In between exploring areas across Yorkshire, from West to North, (and a bit beyond in County Durham), we spent a couple of hours in the city we were based throughout our Yorkshire travels – Bradford.
I’ve been to this city many times over the last few decades, but it was on this occasion that I was taken aback by what it has to offer, from its impressive Victorian architecture and historic buildings to Bradford Cathedral and the fascinating Little Germany conservation area. Somehow, I’d never noticed the architecture before – although, in my defence, I’d probably only been into the city centre once and that was back in the 1990s (I’m ignoring the fact both the train and coach stations are smack bang in the centre, and those are the ways I enter the city!).
Perhaps this is due in part to the fact it’s a city we all love to bash. With Bradford, it’s a case of looking up, not straight ahead, if you want to see its true beauty. There’s a lot of deprivation in the city, especially around the centre, and drug use is evident even during the day. I really don’t want to put the place down as it does have some great things going for it – like the architecture I made sure to capture that day.
Things to do in Bradford City Centre
Waterstones
One of the places that was recommended to us by our cousin, and one we’d already heard about and was top on our list, was the Waterstones branch.
The bookshop has been converted from the historic Wool Exchange. Bradford played a central role in the trade, becoming its global centre, and this was recognised by the construction of the building, with the foundation stone laid by the then-Prime Minister, Lord Palmerston, in 1864. The wool trade came to an end in Bradford in the 1960s, and the Waterstones branch opened there in 1996. Like other buildings in Bradford city centre, the building was built in the Gothic Revival style, making it a very beautiful Waterstones branch!
It was great to see, although sadly when we visited, scaffolding was up and works were taking place, so we couldn’t really appreciate the building as we would have liked to.
Little Germany
If you’re interested in Bradford’s Victorian architecture, Little Germany is one of the best places to explore. Known for its neoclassical, Italian-influenced Victorian architecture, Little Germany is a protected conservation area that dates back to the 19th century. It was predominantly built for textile businesses, with some of the former commercial buildings housing merchants from Europe, largely from Germany, mainly Jewish. These merchants funded the construction of large warehouses to store their exporting goods, and Bradford became a centre of international trade.
Today, Little Germany is one of Bradford’s busiest commercial areas and draws in tourists as it is also a widely used filming location for series such as Peaky Blinders, Downton Abbey and Gentleman Jack to name a few.
St George’s Hall
Samuel Smith, once Bradford’s mayor, came up with the idea of having the communities of the city gather together to see and hear the world’s best entertainers and music. Having opened in 1853, St George’s Hall has a rich and diverse history, hosting a big array of artists and icons such as Queen, David Bowie, Bon Jovi, Metallica and among others. It is particularly beautiful at night, when lit up in lights.
Lister Park
A beautiful picturesque park, hosting an art gallery, Cartwright Hall, as well as a bandstand, boating lake and tennis courts. It features a botanical garden, a café to enjoy some lovely treats, a play area for children to enjoy, sculptures of Peter Pan, as well as Mughal gardens, a combination of Islamic and Indian architectural styles.
The park was once part of the Manningham estate which was eventually sold on the condition that a public park was to be made, commissioned by Ellis Cunliffe Lister. Manningham Hall (which once sat in the heart of it) was demolished in order to make way for Cartwright Hall.
Cartwright Hall
Cartwright Hall is situated within the beautiful Lister Park, heading out of Bradford city centre and into nearby Manningham. Cartwright Hall was commissioned by Samuel Cunliffe Lister who donated money for the creation of a purpose-built gallery to host the city’s growing art collection.
It first opened its doors to the public in 1904, hosting exhibitions from an array of artists, such as the Bradford-born David Hockney.
Bradford City Hall
Bradford City Hall is a gorgeous Grade I listed Victorian building, built in the Venetian Gothic style and instantly recognisable thanks to its impressive clock tower. Its beautiful architecture and versatile historic interiors have also made it a popular filming location, featuring in productions including Peaky Blinders, Victoria and Official Secrets.
Bradford Cathedral
If you’re looking for quieter things to do in Bradford city centre, Bradford Cathedral is well worth adding to your itinerary. Set in the city centre and surrounded by beautifully manicured lawns, the Cathedral was an unexpected delight to visit. A quiet oasis in the middle of the city, we truly marvelled at the beauty of the building. Sitting on a hill, it feels a world away from the bustle of the city below, with benches dotted around the grounds where you can simply sit and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
I loved visiting York Minster, but Bradford Cathedral – although considerably smaller – can certainly rival it when it comes to beauty. The stained-glass windows were simply stunning, including one section designed by William Morris. And the organ – my goodness, what a wonderful piece of work! Absolutely gorgeous.
We also had the pleasure of chatting with one of the Cathedral’s volunteers, Robert, who was more than happy to tell us about the Cathedral, its fascinating history and the events that take place there. His enthusiasm really added to our visit.
Bradford Cathedral is a real hidden gem and somewhere I’d happily recommend taking the time to explore.
Places to Visit Near Bradford
If you’re spending longer in the area, there are plenty of places to visit near Bradford. Two of our highlights were the historic village of Saltaire and the Brontë village of Haworth.
Saltaire
Saltaire is a beautiful and fascinating place to explore, offering a wonderful glimpse into Victorian life and the vision of Titus Salt. Its beautifully preserved cottages, almshouses and streets, all built from local stone, create an unmistakable sense of stepping back in time.
Although, for me, it sometimes felt more like a purpose-built village than an authentic historic one, that is perhaps what makes Saltaire so interesting. You can clearly see Salt’s vision in the village he created, and it’s easy to understand why this remarkable place has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can read more about visiting here.
Haworth
Haworth is a beautiful and charming village that feels as though it has been frozen in time. Made famous by the Brontë sisters, its steep cobbled Main Street, independent shops, lovely cafés and surrounding moorland give it a wonderfully nostalgic atmosphere. For things to do in Haworth, there’s the added attraction of the vintage steam railway and, of course, the Brontë parsonage, so there’s plenty to enjoy, and our visit was undoubtedly one of the highlights of our Yorkshire travels. It’s also conveniently located not far from Bradford and can be reached by local bus connections, making it an easy addition to a West Yorkshire itinerary.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Bradford
Bradford may not always be the first place that comes to mind when planning a Yorkshire trip, but our visit really surprised us. From the beautiful Victorian architecture and historic Little Germany to Bradford Cathedral, Lister Park and Cartwright Hall, there are more things to do in Bradford than we had expected. And with Saltaire and Haworth nearby, Bradford also makes a useful base for exploring this part of West Yorkshire.
