Bradford

Bradford, formally known as Broad Ford, was first established in Saxon times and became a small town by the Middle Ages. It later became a successful industrial city, famous for its woollen trade. Nowadays, Bradford is large city famous for its industrial success, multi-cultural diversity and some fascinating attractions.

Bradford is home to an award winning National Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site, holds three film festivals and has some of the finest countryside in Yorkshire. It has a broad range of fine restaurants offering cuisine from around the world and has a leisure scene to suit all tastes. Bradford is also receiving millions of pounds worth of investment which will benefit the city for years to come.

Attractions

One of the main attractions in Bradford is the beautiful cathedral set in the city centre. Bradford Cathedral is a welcoming, tranquil and fascinating building, and is the most ancient place of worship in the city. The building possesses many special features, including the 100 foot high tower containing Bradford's first public clock and the West Yorkshire Regiment Window commemorates the 1st World War battles fought by the 6th Battalion Prince of Wales Own West Yorkshire Regiment. Bradford Cathedral offers guided tours as well as educational services.

Another one of Bradford's main attractions is the award winning National Museum of Photography, Film and Television. Here you can see the earliest television footage, learnt about the equipment used to in film, TV and photography and it holds the earliest known negative. The museum holds many important resources used for photography and you can view a varied and distinctive collection of television technology collections from around the world.

Bradford is home the elaborate Alhambra theatre, which was built in 1914 and is located in the centre of the city. The building is stunning with Art Deco exterior and extravagant Edwardian interior. This spectacular venue hosts large scale performances such as ballet, opera, comedy, musicals and drama, with many of the hottest West End productions.

Saltaire is Yorkshire's unique World Heritage Site, with its has cobbled streets and honey coloured stonework it is a perfect preservation of a Victorian industrial village. Sir Titus Salt built Saltaire in the 19th century for his workers at Salt's mill. The mill is now home to collections of art, including Bradford's own artist David Hockney.

There are many other fascinating attractions of Bradford including St Georges Hall where you can see concerts of the most modern and popular performances. There is also the Colour Museum, where you can discover all aspects of colour and is perfect for young children. Bradford also has a newly built Leisure Exchange containing a multi-screen Cineworld, a Hollywood Bowl complex, a large casino and a wide range of restaurants.

Shopping

As a multi-cultural city, Bradford has a diverse local shopping scene. There is a variety of shops in the city centre that can offer good retail therapy to any shopaholic. Bradford has a good shopping centre located in the centre of the city which houses many popular retail stores as well as Bradford market.

As Bradford is the home of many cultures and religions, the shopping opportunities are also diverse. The numerous Asian stores provide a new and exciting shopping experience. Bombay Stores is well known in the area and sells a range of vibrant fabrics, jewellery, shoes and saris. You can also find a wide variety of exotic fruits, vegetables and herbs at local Asian supermarkets.

There are many mill shops around Bradford, which show off Bradford's textile heritage. They provide plenty of atmosphere and give great value for money. You can see many of unique mill shops if you take a trip into Bronte country, home of the Bronte Sisters.

Nightlife and Eating Out

Bradford is filled with cafe's, pubs, bars, restaurants and night clubs. If you are looking for a good night out you are bound to find a night club or pub to suit your liking. Pubs are plentiful, and generally serve wide selections of beers and have staff that are friendly and welcoming. Bradford has numerous night clubs to suit all tastes. Plus, Leeds is only a 20 minute train journey away and offers an excellent night out.

Bradford offers a very wide range of cuisines, including some of the best Asian cuisine in the country. The city has restaurants serving food from many countries around the world, including Italian, Mediterranean, American and Indian food. There are more than 80 Indian restaurants in Bradford including Mumtaz restaurant, Inn-Dian restaurant and Aagrah Indian restaurant, offering high class dining and delicious cuisine. Other popular restaurants in Bradford include the Italian restaurant New Giuseppes and the Amerian restaurant Fatty Arbuckles.

Tourist Information

Bradford Tourist Information Centre, City Hall Centenary Square, Bradford, BD1 1HYTelephone: 01274 433 678Website: www.visitbradford.com

Airport

The closest airport to Bradford is the Leeds Bradford Airport that is close to the city and is 9 miles northwest of Leeds, just off the A658. The airport is also well signposted from the M1, M62 and the Yorkshire section of the A658. It is also easy to get to Leeds Bradford Airport by bus or train. Domestic flights leave primarily from this airport; Manchester Airport is the closest airport that offers international flights. Contact details for Leeds Bradford Airport are as follows:

Leeds Bradford International Airport, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS19 7TUTelephone: 0113 250 9696