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 newly opened Darley Street Market is buzzing with flavour. Head to the top floor to discover 13 of Bradford’s favourite street food vendors, dishing out everything from Turkish coffee and baklava to fresh sushi, pizza, gyros, and much more.
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.
