Bradford is home to a unique combination of two incredibly different, but equally fascinating UNESCO sites (Saltaire and City of Film), the former residences of literary greats from Bronte to Priestley, and just a stone’s throw away from two beautifully scenic moorlands. Bradford is also a thriving hub of different cultures and has been crowned ‘Curry Capital of Britain’, making it the ideal staycation destination for culture, entertainment, and of course, food!’
Best Restaurant: Zouk Indian Restaurant. Absolutely fantastic food and service. You won’t be disappointed.
Best Shopping: The Kirkgate Centre in Bradford. All high street shops catered for and is a 32 minute train journey!
Best Kept Secret: Cow and Calf Rocks. A fantastic walk where you can truly experience the stunning Yorkshire Countryside and views (In between Bradford and Ilkley) Close to a number of great pubs where you can have a pint of real ale and a great home cooked meal
National Media Museum
The National Media Museum gives visitors a wonderful immersion into the world of film, photography, cinematography, and television. Home to many recent collections, the museum spans over eight traditional and interactive galleries, each celebrating their media mediums.
An exciting addition to the museum is ‘BBC Bradford’, where visitors can observe presenters and researchers doing what they do best. You’ll also find the first IMAX theatre of its kind to open in the UK, where you can watch the latest and greatest in 3D entertainment, as well as two additional cinemas in Pictureville and Cubby Broccoli. After catching a flick, head down to the Media Café and Pictureville bar to feast on a delicious medley of food and drink, before visiting the Museum Shop, the perfect place to pick up a gift or souvenir.
The National Media Museum is a four minute walk from the Leonardo Hotel Bradford and admission is free.
Bradford Cathedral
Bradford Cathedral is one of the oldest buildings in the city, and holds a rich and ancient history. The cathedral, whilst a historic place of worship, is also home to Artspace, a wonderful exhibition of paintings, poetry, music, and literature. A 21st century addition lends a touch of modernity to the building’s grand architecture, making it a ‘must-see’ for any culture enthusiasts.
Bradford Cathedral is free to enter and only a thirteen minute walk from the hotel.
Bradford Industrial Museum
With an enthralling exhibition programme and captivating displays of textile, print, and engineering history, the Bradford Industrial Museum and Moorside House offer an educational experience to museum fans from all over. Enjoy an inspiring immersion into the past as you learn, engage, and gain terrific insight into the industrial side of Bradford. The museum also offers a café and a gift shop to grab a bite and browse a selection of goodies!
The museum is just over ten minutes away from Leonardo Hotel Bradford by car, and admission is free.
Cartwright Hall Art Gallery
Bradford’s civic art gallery, Cartwright Hall, offers a riveting line-up of classic and modern art. With various paintings and sculptures from Bradford’s collection in four permanent galleries, the museum houses some of the most refined works of art from 19th and 20th century Britain. You’ll also find a selection of contemporary art from all over the world, including some fantastic, colourful examples of South Asian arts and crafts. End the day with a visit to the café in Lister Park boat house for some food, drink, and ice cream.
With free admission, Cartwright Hall offers visitors a chance to explore the rich artistic history of Britain, as well as Bradford’s own cultural heritage. The Art Gallery can be found in the middle of Lister Park, a ten minute drive from the Leonardo Hotel.
The Impressions Gallery in Bradford opened forty years ago as a pioneer of dedicated camerawork and has been key in changing public perceptions about photography. Thanks to their commitment, the gallery has garnered worldwide status, inspiring pride within the city. Providing continuous support and encouragement to some of the most industrious photographers in the country, the gallery houses exhibitions and workshops of incredible appeal. After enjoying the sights of the museum, head to the gift shop to find collections of photos that you won’t spot anywhere else in the world, or find a place to eat in one of the many restaurants in Centenary Square.
Admission is free and the gallery is just a six minute walk from Leonardo Hotel Bradford.
Denso Marston Nature Reserve
The Denso Marston Nature Reserve, located between the River Aire and the Denso Marston factory in Shipley, developed in 1990 to benefit local wildlife and the community. The seven acre stretch holds a sanctuary of immense woodland, green meadows rolling as far as the eye can see, and shimmering sapphire pools home to a variety of British wildlife. Annual membership is only £7, the proceeds of which go to funding equipment and materials required for wildlife reserve projects.
The Nature Reserve is a short nineteen minute drive, alternatively, the 737 bus will take you just thirty three minutes from Leonardo Hotel Bradford.
The Great Northern Railway Trail
The Great Northern Railway Trail offers an exquisite walking route featuring simply stunning views and a range of attractions for you to discover, explore, and appreciate. With sights to see such as the three viaducts along the alpine path, the Goit Stock waterfalls, the birthplace and dedicated museum of the Bronte sisters, and a wide array of wildlife, the Great Northern Railway trail is ideal for a wonderful day out with the family.
The route starts around 5 miles from our Bradford hotel, just a seveteen minute drive or bus (576) ride away.
Saltaire World Heritage
Declared a World Heritage Site in 2001, Saltaire is a charming little village located on the River Aire. Named after Sir Titus Salt, builder of a textile mill, the village still thrives today, welcoming visitors free of charge. The village mirrors beautifully classic Italianate architecture and contains several delicious places to eat, a number of quaint shopping markets offering a unique and special Bradford shopping experience, a lush, expansive park, and an adventure playground for the kids.
The UNESCO site can be found a nineteen minute drive from our hotel in Bradford, or thirty-two minutes on the 662 bus.
Skipton Castle
Over 900 years old, Skipton Castle is one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in England with every inch of the magnificent castle awaiting your discovery. Carrying a steep historical background, the grand manor endured a three-year siege during the English Civil War, and though the period has passed, the impressive stature and atmosphere still remains. Skipton Castle also has a tea room, a relaxing picnic area, and a gift shop.
This day out is well worth the forty-five minute drive from Leonardo Hotel Bradford and admission is only £7.80 for adults, and £4.90 for children ages 5-17.
Harewood House
Situated in Yorkshire’s beautiful countryside, Harewood House offers three centuries of elegant history and culture that is almost unrivalled. Housing an impressive collection of artwork ranging from the 1700s to modern day art, this unique estate is a hub of award-winning education, one hundred acres of stunning and luscious garden space, a café, and a gift shop. Explore the wondrous state bedroom, three marvellous libraries, and the servants’ kitchen in a fun-filled adventure for the whole family.
Harewood House is around a forty-one minute drive from Leonardo Hotels and is free for its existing members. For non-members, adults pay £16.50 and children £8.50.
Xscape
Offering the United Kingdom’s biggest real snow slope amongst a range of exciting activities, Xscape Yorkshire is considered the pinnacle of fun days out in the region. The winner of multiple awards, the complex also gives you the chance to enjoy some climbing, indoor skating, an aerial assault course, and even four-dimensional golf. For bargain hunters, Junction 32 allows for some retail therapy, whilst thrill seekers can immerse in the bright lights and peculiar sounds of Laserzone, before unwinding at one of several restaurants onsite.
Xscape Yorkshire is a 32 minute drive from our hotel in Bradford, or just over an hour by rail.
Bradford Bazaar
Bradford Bazaar ticks all the boxes as far as shopping in Bradford goes. With over a hundred separate stalls, sporting thousands of colourful items, discover a vast selection of South Asian clothing and jewellery, following the latest trends from Pakistan and India. When you’ve exhausted your willpower amongst the wide variety of shops, drop in to the Café Food Bazaar and feast on the best of South Asian cuisine, a perfect end to a day well spent at the ultimate multi-cultural destination in Bradford.
Bradford Bazaar is a ten minute drive from our Bradford hotel.
The Wool Exchange
Though this magnificent building may have been used for trading wool half a century ago, today the Wool Exchange stands as a Gothic home to Waterstones. Whilst supplying the city with books from its favourite authors, The Wool Exchange also houses a newsagents, a couple of restaurants and the famous Exchange Ale House. The architecture of the building still echoes with history, the exterior sporting impressive sculptures of various figureheads of the textile industry.
The Wool Exchange is a six minute walk from the Leonardo Hotel Bradford.
Kirkgate Shopping Centre
Kirkgate Shopping Centre holds a plethora of shops and boutiques, with something for everyone. There are plenty of stores dedicated to fashion and clothing, technology and home shopping, as well as a variety of restaurants offering classic and modern food, Kirkgate is a must-visit destination for shopping lovers.
The shopping centre is easily accessible via car and public transport, and is only a five minute walk from our hotel.