Bradford: Tourism, shopping and much more!
Known as the 2nd largest city in West Yorkshire, England, Bradford rose to prominence during the 19th century thanks to its role in the textile manufacturing industry, especially wool. Today, the city is known for various additional features, including being home to the Bradford City FC (Football Club), which was formed in 1903.
One of the more interesting things about Bradford is its accent, a Yorkshire dialect that has roots in Old English and is influenced by Old Norse.
Similar to the vast majority of the UK, Bradford has a maritime climate that offers limited seasonal temperature ranges, as well as a generally moderate amount of annual rainfall. This, in turn, has aided in Bradford’s green countryside and various public parks, including Lister Park, which is one of the city’s biggest and most popular tourist attractions. From exploring flower gardens and relaxing on a boating lake to a quick tennis match, Lister Park has numerous options for both young and old.
Those more interested in learning should head off to the National Media Museum. Considered a haven for lovers of pop culture and media, the museum’s galleries are stacked with anything related to TV, animation, film, radio, the internet, and much more. Plus, there’s also a café bar, in case you need a sit-down and some nourishment after a full day of shopping.
Bradford: Map for shopping
And just where in the city of Bradford can you revel in some retail therapy?
How about The Broadway Bradford, which opened in November 2015? Located in the city centre, this shopping- and leisure complex offers more than 80 popular options in terms of shopping, dining and relaxing. Drop in at well-loved spots like Case Tailors, J Perfume, and Swarovski and see which possible specials or weekly offers are up for grabs.
For another space that offers terrific shopping- and dining options, consider Forster Square Shopping Park. The mall is easily accessible by both road and rail, but although it’s open seven days a week, remember that the various stores (including DFS, Mothercare, and Wren Kitchens) have different operating times.
For a truly unique experience, head down to Sunbridge Wells, one of England’s most impressive underground retail complexes. This complex, which is built in a series of Victorian tunnels underneath the city centre, features restaurants, bars, and various retail units, with Starbucks, Nandos, and The Bacaro being some of the well-loved and most frequented spots.
It doesn’t matter if you’re part of the local population or a visitor to Bradford, you can’t afford to miss an outing to Kirkgate Shopping Centre. This two-level design, which features 650 parking spots and a dome lit by over 1400 fibre-optic lights, houses everything from high-fashion favourites (like Deichmann, Yours, and Leather Land) to market vendors.
And finally, for a more informal shopping trip, we recommend the Bradford Bazaar, the ideal space for Asian- and multicultural products available in Bradford. Browse through stalls offering everything from designer-wear fabrics and jewellery to sweets, toys, herbal supplements, and much more. Best of all is that new shops/stalls open every week, meaning there’s even more opportunities to enjoy a promotional sale or secret discount.
Speaking of which, ensure that you sign up for Tiendeo alerts so that you’re always first in line to receive online product catalogues, weekly offers, and more.