Bradford Historical Attractions

Bradford has a long and intriguing history dating from Saxton times. The city developed from a small market town to a prosperous city with the development of manufacturing in the 18th century and the growth in the wool trade.

By the middle of the 19th century there were 38 worsted mills in Bradford town and 70 in the borough and it was estimated that two-thirds of the country's wool production was processed in Bradford. Less than ten years later, Bradford had become the wool capital of the world.

With this growth the city expanded and new buildings were constructed. These wonderful Victorian buildings can be seen throughout the city and a particular area of interest is Little Germany.

Little Germany was home to the German merchants who came to Bradford in the late 1850s for the prosperous textile industry. Today these unique buildings form a collection of 85 buildings constructed between 1855 and 1890 remains, of which 55 are listed.

Another part of the district which is of historical and architectural interest is Salts Mill located in UNESCO World Heritage Site, Saltaire.

Salts Mill was built by Sir Titus Salt and was opened in 1853. He chose to work with innovative architects who built the Mill in the distinctive and attractive Italianate style. The mill is now home to one of the largest collections of David Hockney's work.

Sir Titus Salt also built an entire village to house his workers, including houses, a school and a library, but no pub. At the heart of the village is Saltaire United Reformed Church, built in 1859. Grade I listed it is a unique example of Italianate religious architecture.

You can also learn more about Bradford's industrial history at Bradford Industrial Museum. The original mill owners house and the more humble mill workers cottages are free to wander round.  

Bradford Cathedral is another way to discover more about Bradford's history. Originating in Anglo-Saxon times, Bradford Cathedral is Bradford's most ancient place of worship.

The Cathedral's impressive history can be seen throughout, from the list of Vicars of Bradford from the 13th century, to the Cathedral tower completed in 1508, bombarded by the army of Charles 1 in 1642/3.
Alternatively visit Bolling Hall Museum which dates from medieval times. Rooms are furnished to give an accurate taste of life at different periods in the house's history. Just watch out for the resident ghost, the ‘White Lady'.

Undercliffe Cemetery is an atmospheric, gothic burial ground where many of Bradford's prominent families have some kind of representation in the cemetery. Built in 1854 the 25 acre site high above the city contains many grand 19th century monuments, extravagant mausoleums and finely decorated obelisks.

Listed by English heritage register of parks and gardens of special historic interest. Undercliffe has been described as one of the most striking achievements of Victorian funeral design