The City of Bradford

Historical Bradford | Cultural Bradford | Eating and Drinking | Sport

Bradford is a great place to live and study. Although it is one of the ten largest cities in Britain (with a population of over 450,000), it is still compact enough to be easily manageable and is also set amongst some of the most spectacular countryside in England.

The transformation of some of the areas many impressive buildings is expected to signal a renaissance in the city. Warehouse conversions are currently taking place in the former nineteenth century wool merchants' community, Little Germany and across the city centre a £40 million leisure complex, including a 16 screen multiplex cinema, hotel, fitness club and restaurants, is being built.

Historical Bradford

Bradford's early growth and prosperity was built on the wool and textile trade; and at one time it was known as the wool capital of the world. Bradford's rich history can still be seen in the architecture of the city from the grand Italianate City Hall and Wool Exchange (now converted into shops) to the city's historic merchant quarter with its famous street sculptures and Design Exchange.

Cultural Bradford

Bradford has a thriving cultural scene. One of city's most popular attractions is the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, situated close to the University campus, incorporating the 52ft-deep and 64ft-wide IMAX screen. The museum, which recently won an award for the most visited museum outside London, has exhibitions and permanent galleries, where you can explore the history of photography and television and even watch old episodes of 'Corrie' and Eastenders. The Museum's Pictureville cinema has a year-round cultural film programme unmatched outside London, and an annual Film Festival.

Just two miles from the University campus (and next door to the School of Management) is Cartwright Hall with its large permanent collection of art and temporary exhibitions.

The 1853 Gallery in Salts Mill in Saltaire houses Europe's largest collection of paintings and sketches by David Hockney, Bradford's most famous citizen and an Honorary Graduate of the University.

Bradford's annual Festival, described by the Arts Council as the best of its kind in the country, brings a wealth of international and multicultural talent to the city and includes a spectacular Mela (an Asian bazaar cum music-and-dance event lasting a whole weekend) in one of the city's parks.

If you're a theatre lover, there's the Alhambra, with its own studio space (the Studio!) - free lunchtime music concerts are held there on a Wednesday; the Priestley Centre for the Arts (an amateur repertory company also with its own studio) and the University's own on-campus Theatre in The Mill. St George's Hall is the second home of the Hallé Orchestra, and the venue for the bigger visiting bands and entertainers. There is plenty of more popular, rock or folk music in local halls, pubs and clubs, many very close to the campus.

Eating and Drinking

Although Bradford is most famous for its curries (there are over 20 curry houses within five minutes' walk of the main campus) there is also a wealth of other eateries from tapas and noodle bars to more traditional 'pub grub'. Most have good discounts for students.

For a comprehensive listing of Asian restaurants and curry houses, log on to a dedicated site at www.bradfordcurryguide.co.uk that has been compiled by local curry aficionados.

Sport

If you enjoy watching top-class sport, there's top flight football with Bradford City and Rugby Superleague with Bradford Bulls, Challenge Cup winners

2000, both of which play within two miles of the campus. Yorkshire county cricket club play at Headingley in Leeds, but the Indoor Cricket School (now associated with the University's National Centre of Cricketing Excellence) is situated right behind our Halls of Residence.

If you prefer to participate, there are plenty of amateur sporting clubs in the city, most of which are keen to welcome student members. And this is quite apart from the University's own sporting clubs.