Discover Bradford

Find your home in the UK's City of Culture for 2025.

Bradford is a place of creativity, social activism, fierce independence and rich diversity.

There's lots to do and lots to discover here, and it's all near to the University campus.

A man in a grey hat stands in front of tall buildings.

This is your city

Bradford is a welcoming, inclusive, and diverse city, and is UK City of Culture 2025.

Explore the museums, galleries and parks, catch a show at one of the iconic entertainment venues, or enjoy the variety of food and drink available from bars, cafes, and restaurants.

City of Culture

Bradford has been awarded the UK City of Culture for 2025.

Affordable city

Bradford offers cheaper cost of living than nearby cities.

Bradford for life

We're the number one city in the UK for graduates to settle in.

City of Film

Bradford became the world's first UNESCO City of Film in 2009.

Art, music and culture

Bradford is the first UNESCO City of Film. The city has a rich film heritage and has been a filming location for Peaky Blinders, Happy Valley, and The Crown.

There’s a variety of live performance venues in the city. St George’s Hall hosts concerts and comedy nights. The Alhambra Theatre is home to musicals, ballet shows, and the winter pantomime. Next door to the Alhambra is Bradford Live, a refurbished music venue, due to open in 2025.

The National Science and Media Museum, Impressions Gallery, and Fuse Art Space are some of Bradford's galleries and museums.

The city hosts the Bradford Literature festival and the Yorkshire Games Festival.

A group doing a performance at the BD Festival in front of City Hall

Shop

Bradford has a large variety of shops, and there’s loads of places to go depending on what you’re looking for.

For food shopping, there are supermarkets and international grocery shops close to campus.

The Broadway and Kirkgate Shopping Centre has everything from clothing to gaming and stationery shops.

The Grade I listed Wool Exchange is home to the prettiest Waterstones bookshop and café.

For home and study essentials, Forster Square shopping park is a 20-minute walk from campus and has shops like Asda Living, TK Maxx and Currys.

The Broadway, Bradford shopping centre sign on a sunny day

Leisure and social

There are plenty of places to visit and things to do in the city centre.

The Bradford Leisure Exchange is home to the Hollywood Bowl and arcade. There’s also a Cineworld cinema, and an indoor inflatable theme park.

At the top of the city, there’s an archery range, mini golf, and urban axe throwing. Nearer to campus, there’s the LaserZone laser tag arena.

On Friday and Saturday evenings, Bradford Ice Arena hosts an ice-skating disco.

If you enjoy the great outdoors, Bradford has 36 parks to visit. Closer to campus there’s Peel Park and Lister Park. City Park is right in the centre of Bradford and is renowned for its award-winning water features.

Student with facial piercings holding a box of popcorn at the cinema

Food

Bradford is a melting pot of places to eat and drink. The city’s food reflects its multicultural population.

We have some of the best curry houses in the UK, all within walking distance of our campus.

The Broadway's food court has all the chain restaurants and food comforts you would expect to find on the high street.

There’s also independent cafes on North Parade and around the city. Also, the Darley Street indoor and outdoor food market is due to open in 2025.

If you’d prefer to stay in for the night, you can always get a takeaway delivered to your accommodation.

A selection of curries in mental dishes with rice and breads

I love going to different restaurants and cafes across the city. There are loads of places with incredible food from all over the world, in beautiful historical locations.
Robin, BSc (Hons) Game Design and Development

Nightlife

Bradford has a diverse and vibrant nightlife.

At the top of Bradford is North Parade, a street full of independent bars that specialise in craft beer and real ale.

On Ivegate and the surrounding area there’s pubs, clubs and sports bars.

Hidden behind City Park is Sunbridgewells, a series of underground tunnels with places to eat, drink and dance.

There is also a variety of restaurants, coffee shops and dessert parlours that stay open late around the city and campus.

Two students having a drink in a bar on campus

Sport

Bradford has a long sporting history.

Bradford City AFC, known as the Bantams, have been playing football for 120 years. The Valley Parade stadium was built in 1886, making it one of the oldest stadiums in the country. We've partnered with the club and are extremely proud that the ground is officially known as the University of Bradford Stadium.

Rugby League fans can visit Odsal Stadium to watch Bradford Bulls, a club with a rich history of honours. The Bulls have experienced highs and lows but are now on fighting form, and on their way back to the top.