City Guide To Bradford
By Leisha Greenfield
Bradford is a large northern city, with a long and documented history, and a
population of almost 300,000 people.

Numerous important historical buildings and monuments, including mills
and factories and one of only two World Heritage Sites in Yorkshire,
make the city a first choice of many history-seekers and the city never
fails to reward the effort! Bradford is also home to the most visited
museum outside of London.

The vibrant cultural life in Bradford, and award-winning restaurants,
make the city an ideal destination for a relaxing evening out or
weekend away; but the city also boasts a lively nightlife and music
scene for those seeking entertainment a little more adventurous!

Like many other areas in the region, millions of pounds are pouring in
for regeneration and the city offers an exciting up-and-coming feel.

History

Bradford was granted city status at the end of the nineteenth century,
but its history is documented back to the thirteenth century. Bradford
formed an important manufacturing area during the Industrial
Revolution, but suffered the collapse of the manufacturing industry
during the twentieth century. There have been signs of improvement over
the last twenty years, but the rate of unemployment remains below the
national average.

The National Media Museum is the most visited museum outside of London,
exploring developments in photography, film and television, and housing
the largest cinema screen in the world.

The Industrial Museum is based in an eighteenth century mill, and
houses artefacts exploring the area's manufacturing past.

The nineteenth century village of Saltaire was built to house the local
mill workforce, and is one of only two World Heritage Sites in
Yorkshire.

Art Galleries

Bradford has numerous galleries including Cartwright Hall with comprises
four separate galleries, displaying British works of art from the
nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and a selection of South Asian arts
and crafts.

Salts Mill is a shopping and arts complex, located in a converted
Victorian mill in the village of Saltaire. There are four galleries in
the complex, including David Hockney Gallery, a gallery exploring the
area's heritage and a third displaying operatic costumes and masks.

The Manor House, in Ilkley, and the Arts Centre, in Bingley, host a
range of temporary exhibitions.

Theatres

The Alhambra Theatre is Bradford's sole large-scale theatre, and housed
in an impressive Victorian building. The theatre regularly hosts
large-scale touring productions, including West End plays and
performances by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

The Alhambra Studio is located next door, and stages small-scale
performances.

The Bradford Theatre-in-the-Mill is adjacent to the university campus,
and offers small-scale productions, and drama and technical workshops.

Theatres specialising in musicals and concerts include St George's
Hall, The Tamsin Little Music Centre and The Little Priestley.

Restaurants

Amongst Bradford's award-winning is Weaver's. The
restaurant comes highly recommended by Good Food Guide, AA, Michelin
and Hardens, and serves traditional and contemporary British cuisine.

Bradford's Curry Mile is home to more than twenty Indian and
Asian-influenced restaurants, of which, The Kashmir is widely regarded
as the best by customers, and Mumtaz Paan House is recommended by Good
Food Guide. Kipling's Indian restaurant was awarded the 'Best in
Britain Award' by a customer vote.

Chino Thai serves Chinese and Thai dishes in an up-market environment,
and offers seating for 100 people.

Pubs/Bars

CAMRA recommends numerous Bradford pubs in the city, and named The
Junction 'Pub of the Year' in 2006. Other contenders were Haigy's and Fighting Cock.

Brewery Tap is a rock pub that presents live acts two or three times
each week, offers a free jukebox and various drinks offers. Bradford's
longest serving music venue also comprises a poolroom and beer garden.

Fubar is a cocktail bar and tapas restaurant, boasting a vast selection
of cocktails, wines, liqueurs and beers, with a chic and stylish
interior that belie its low prices.

The Sun Hotel is one of Bradford's most popular gay bars, and features
regular DJs, drag acts and pub quizzes. There is a lounge area, pool
and games room, secluded beer garden and rooms to rent upstairs.

Nightclubs

Rio is a rock club and live music venue, one of many Bradford
nightclubs, open three nights a week and presenting a selection
from 80s and punk to indie and goth. Admission is free before 9:30pm
and drinks are cheap.

Run by the owners of The Sun Hotel, Club Life is a very popular gay
club, offering the best of sing-along classics and 'cheesy pop'.
Admission is free on Thursdays, and a variety of DJs perform on Fridays.

Lingards is a house, speed garage and techno complex, comprising a
pre-club bar, Ascension nightclub and Subterranea nightclub. There are
club nights at the complex twice a week.

The Love Apple is another complex; this one comprising a cafe, bar,
nightclub and art exhibition space. The club specialises in
non-mainstream music, and hosts live music performances.

Shopping

The Kirkgate Shopping Centre is home to 65 shops and a large market on
its top floor. There are 550 parking spaces, and the centre is easily
accessible in the city centre. It is open every day.

The Oastler Shopping Centre is a market in the city centre, comprising
80 stalls and shops and trading in fresh fish, meat, fruit and
vegetables. There are also cafes and markets. St James Wholesale Market
is located out of the city

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centre, and is the place to find exotic food
produce.

Salts Mill is a converted Victorian mill, now a shopping and arts
development. The development is home to numerous shops trading in
unusual goods, a cafe, a diner and four art galleries.

Sports

The Richard Dunn Sports Centre is the largest of forty leisure centres
in the city, and comprises a 25-metre pool and leisure pool activities
for children, a gym, and a sauna, a solarium and squash courts. The
centre is open every day.

The city university offers an impressive range of sporting facilities
over three venues. The Sports Centre houses most of the facilities, the
Laisteridge Lane site is home to squash, football and hockey
courts/pitches, and the Woodhall Sports Ground provides sites for
football, rugby and cricket.

There are forty golf courses in Bradford; including Queensbury Golf Club, an 18-hole
course with a lounge and bar on-site.

There is also a branch of Hollywood Bowl in the city, comprising 24
ten-pin bowling lanes.

Author: Leisha Greenfield
Having spent 10 years working as a visitor guide at various top Londontourist attractions, Leisha Greenfield has now writes articles on UK tourism. www.ukcityguide.info.