to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
A Collaboration Post with VisitCalderdale
Discover Art, Workshops, Museums & Galleries Across West Yorkshire
Autumn is a season of colour, texture, and transformation — and there’s no better time to tap into your creative side. Across Bradford and Calderdale, studios open their doors, galleries unveil new exhibitions, and makers invite you to try something hands-on. Whether you're painting pottery in Brighouse or exploring contemporary art in Bradford city centre, this is your chance to experience the region’s vibrant creative scene in full bloom.
Walking Photography – Embrace the golden glow of autumn on guided walks with Rich Bunce, where Ilkley’s landscapes become your canvas. Learn to capture the season’s drama through photography and storytelling — no experience needed, just curiosity and a love of nature.
South Square Arts Centre – Tucked inside historic workers’ cottages, this cosy arts centre invites you to explore ‘OUR TURN’ (10 Oct – 1 Feb 2026), an exhibition tracing Bradford’s grassroots creative spirit. It’s the perfect place to reflect, connect, and be inspired by local stories.
Look out for workshops:
Bingley Gallery – Step into a warm, welcoming space filled with Yorkshire-made art — from ceramics to moorland paintings. Judith Levin’s solo show (16 Oct – 9 Nov) captures the stark beauty of the season, inviting you to see familiar landscapes with fresh eyes.
Cartwright Hall – Surrounded by autumn leaves in Lister Park, Cartwright Hall hosts the Turner Prize 2025 (27 Sept – 22 Feb) in its grand Victorian–Edwardian setting. As part of Bradford 2025, this is your chance to experience bold, boundary-pushing art in a space that celebrates both heritage and innovation.
Salt Pots Ceramics Studio – Located just a short stroll from the heart of Saltaire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Salt Pots offers pottery painting and seasonal clay workshops for all ages. Whether you're crafting a festive bauble or a cosy mug, it’s a hands-on way to embrace autumn’s creative energy.
🍂 Discover more ways to explore, create, and unwind across the Bradford district — head to the 'Things to do' page for inspiration.
The Pottery Spot in Brighouse: Halloween pottery is now on their shelves (the deadline to paint in time for Halloween is 17th October), and Christmas pottery will be on the shelves very soon! Check out their events, from Grown Up Pottery Painting to Footprint Friday, where you can capture those precious teeny tiny footprints.
Creative with Nature Willow Weaving: Book your Winter Wreath Workshop now: In Person Workshops – Creative with Nature or pop into the Willows Tea and Coffee House in Todmorden to pick up your own willow weaving kits! Willow Foraging Bag Kit with Full Video Tutorial – Creative with Nature
Bankfield Museum: In Loving Memory: Invites you to pause, reflect, and connect with the season’s quiet beauty. As autumn leaves fall, explore heartfelt stories, tender tributes, and creative expressions that honour lives and memories. Let this thoughtful exhibition be a gentle companion to your own reflections this autumn.
The Arts Charity at Dean Clough, Halifax – check out the ACDC Art School which includes life drawing, embroidery, and therapeutic art workshops in a beautiful open workspace. Don’t forget to check the various artist exhibitions within Dean Clough, including the Lego brick model of Dean Clough and Kehilla, a deeply evocative photographic series by Nudrat Afza, documenting Bradford’s diminishing Jewish community.
The Making Mill at Hebden Bridge – a relaxed and friendly creative studio space in the heart of Hebden Bridge. Take a journey back in time to enjoy workshops such as Peg Loom Weaving, plus try your hand at oil painting, hand embroidery or even make your own backpack!
For even more inspiration and creative adventures across Calderdale, head to the 'See & do' page on visitCalderdale.com
Getting There: Public Transport Tips
Exploring Bradford and Calderdale is easy thanks to well-connected public transport:
- By Train: Northern Rail and TransPennine Express run regular services between Leeds, Bradford, Halifax, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden, and Brighouse. Ilkley is also accessible via the Wharfedale Line, and Saltaire is just one stop from Shipley.
- By Bus: West Yorkshire Metro offers frequent bus routes across both districts. Look out for the 576 (Halifax–Brighouse), 589 (Todmorden–Halifax), and The Aireline (Bradford–Bingley).
- Travel Passes: Consider a DaySaver or MCard for unlimited travel across buses and trains in West Yorkshire — ideal for gallery-hopping or workshop days.
- Journey Planner: For routes, times, and ticket info, visit the West Yorkshire Metro journey planner
Related
South Square Centre is an arts led community centre in the heart of Thornton, Bradford. The centre comprises of art galleries, community spaces, bar and cafe.
The Bingley Gallery is a welcoming, artist-run, venue which exhibits, and sells, a wide range of art work from the region's talented artists.
Built in 1904 in Baroque style as an art gallery. Permanent collection of 19th and 20th century British art.
See the Turner Prize at Cartwright Hall—its first-ever Bradford showcase, presented through Bradford 2025’s UK City of Culture programme.
Salt Pots specialises in pottery painting parties for all ages, gift commissions and hand and foot print pottery, booking is recommended but you can often also pop in and paint your pot there and then!
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