48 hours at Bradford 2025 for heritage seekers
This two-day City of Culture heritage itinerary takes you through the places that shaped the district’s past and the people bringing it to life today.
Published: June 27, 2025
Bradford’s story is written in stone, mills and marketplaces - and it’s still unfolding. We’ll take you beyond the guidebook for a proper feel for what built Bradford - and why it matters now, in its year as UK City of Culture 2025.
Day 1: Saltaire & Industrial Heritage
Morning
- Start in Saltaire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved mill villages in the UK.
- Explore the historic streets and spend time at Salts Mill, once a vast textile factory, now home to art, shops, and history.
- On the third floor, People and Process brings the story of Saltaire’s past to life.
- While you’re there, don’t miss We Will Sing, an immersive audio experience that captures community voices through sound.
- And be sure to visit the Peace Museum where you can discover the untold stories of peacemakers and social reform.
Lunch
Grab a bite at one of Saltaire’s welcoming cafés:
Nduja – Italian breakfast, brunch and lunch.
Tambourine – simple, delicious coffee and cakes.
Copper and Moss – relaxed food inside Victoria Mills.
Interlude Tea Room – cosy and nostalgic.
Afternoon
- Walk off lunch with the Aire Sculpture Trail – a journey through Saltaire’s artistic and industrial past…
- Discover a locally loved trail with our Bradford on Foot series of walks.
- Or, take a heritage boat ride on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, then hop on the charming Shipley Glen Tramway – a living piece of transport history.
Evening
Wind down with dinner in Saltaire or Shipley:
The Pepper Mill – casual fine dining.
La Cachette – café bar and bistro with seasonal dishes.
The Boathouse Inn – pub grub with a canal view.
In September, catch events like Saltaire Festival for food, poetry, music and history and Heritage Open Days with local talks and free events.
Day 2: Bradford’s Historic Core
Morning
Spend the morning exploring Bradford’s architectural gems:
- Bradford Cathedral – one of the oldest buildings in the city.
- Little Germany – packed with Victorian warehouses and textile buildings.
- The Wool Exchange – now a charming Waterstones, but once a trading floor that fuelled a global industry.
Or follow a self-guided route like the one from Historic England.
Lunch
Take your pick from city centre spots:
The Record Café – records, charcuterie, beer.
Kunafa Tea – traditional Syrian small plates.
International – friendly and traditional Indian cuisine with lots of choice.
The brand new Darley Street Market is open its doors too, hosting some of Bradford’s favourite street food vendors.
Afternoon
- Join the Bradford City Centre Guided Walking Tour for a fresh, expert-led look at the city’s architecture, industrial past and cultural identity. Then, choose from one of the city’s inspiring museums.
- Bradford Industrial Museum – gome to historic machinery, steam power and local stories.
- Bolling Hall Museum – explore the turbulent civil war history of Bradford.
- Or if you want a different look at Bradford’s past, explore Undercliffe Cemetery – atmospheric and full of social history.
Evening
Check out what’s coming up at Bradford 2025 on our what’s on page, or explore Bradford heritage events.
Looking for dinner ideas?
Zaffran – warm welcome and quality Indian food.
Sheesh Mahal – long-standing favourite.
Kurumilagu Indian Kitchen – a taste of South India.
Bistro Polish Food – traditional Polish food and cocktails if you fancy one!
Fancy a drink to end the night? Try Rum-shack-a-lack – lively, friendly and full of character.
Make it a weekend to remember!
Plan your overnight stay and explore even more heritage gems.
