Bradford City of Culture in 2025 – too good to ignore

My home city is actually the City of Culture for 2025 I have to admit that not only do I sometimes take my city for granted, I’m also a little ignorant of much of its cultural stories and heritage. So, whether you are a fellow Bradfordian, or just curious enough to be surprised, here’s a taste of what locals and visitors might find.

Bradford? So what?

The area contains an amazing collection of hidden treasures.  Us Yorkshire folk aren’t ones for fanfares, but here’s just a few gems. Find loads more of them at the Bradford25 website.

• Film – named as one of just 17 Cities of Film by UNESCO in 2009, our outstanding National Science and Media Museum(reopening this month, complete with the UK’s first IMAX screen), and many film & TV locations make Bradford a truly global centre of filmmaking;
• In the City – the centre also features a cathedral with William Morris stained glass, stunning architecture dating from the textiles era and Sunbridge Wells Victorian tunnels, now a cultural hub in its own right;
• Heading out – simply too much in the local area to list … the inspiring moors and family home (now an atmospheric museum) of the Bronte sisters, the Railway Children’s heritage steam railway, Salts Mill in Saltaire, Ilkley Moor, Five Rise canal locks

When does it all start?

The year long celebration kicks off in style, and conveniently on my birthday!  I will be there to see for myself the incredible spectacle planned by Kirsty Housley and Steven Frayne (formerly known as Dynamo.). It looks like it is going to be one to remember.

Actually, on second thoughts …

There is so much incredible and interesting stuff around here, and during this festival year yet more still, I recommend you book yourselves in for a fortnight, just to scratch the surface.

Bradford is also the home of Treacle

Treacle.me includes links to more than 500 Bradford & Craven organisations supporting those needing help with anything  – from addiction, family issues, mental health, loneliness and so on, many of which you won’t be aware of. Plus another 500+ national organisations. Treacle is free to use, has no annoying ads and never asks for your data or anything about you.

Take care out there – and my best wishes to everyone involved with Bradford25.

Helen

Treacle.me