Living in Bradford
What's it like living in Bradford?
Bradford is one of the largest cities in the UK, a young, enterprising city of over 500,000 people.
It’s an exciting place to be a student – it’s friendly, diverse and there’s so much to do.
Whatever you're into you'll find it here, and there's loads more to discover when you venture beyond the city centre.
Hit the town
There’s been a recent renaissance in Bradford’s nightlife with new venues springing up across the city.
Head to the Independent Quarter around North Parade for buzzing bars and cafes, and be sure to check out Sunbridge Wells: an underground entertainment complex like no other.
You'll find a great selection of restaurants here - we've been Curry Capital of the UK for a record six years in a row.
Retail therapy
You’ll find everything you need in Bradford, from markets and boutiques to the new multi-million pound Broadway shopping centre.
If you want to soak up some local sights, the Grade I Listed Wool Exchange is now home to the most spectacular bookshop you’ll ever see!
City of film
As you would expect from the world’s first UNESCO City of Film, Bradford is the perfect place for the movie lover. There are numerous cinemas across the city (including an IMAX screen), and regular festivals and special events.
Plenty of film and television productions are filmed here, taking advantage of the historic architecture and beautiful scenery beyond the city centre.
An enterprising city
Bradford has an economy worth over £9.5bn, the eighth largest in England. Major organisations such as Morrisons, Yorkshire Building Society and Arris (Pace) have their headquarters here.
It’s also a youthful, entrepreneurial city, home to a number of exciting start-ups.
A sporting city
As well as the fantastic sports scene on campus, Bradford has plenty to offer the sporting mad, including Bradford City Football Club and Bradford Bulls RLFC.
Bradford is also a great place to be a cyclist, with plenty of parks and trails, and vast expanses of countryside to explore nearby.
On our doorstep
Bradford is located right in the centre of the UK, with excellent road and rail links and an international airport.
You're just a short trip away from some fantastic locations.
The great outdoors
You’ll find thousands of square miles of spectacular moors, woodlands, lakes and mountains within easy reach of Bradford.
There are four national parks to explore:
- Yorkshire Dales
- North York Moors
- Lake District
- Peak District
Each one is a walker’s paradise, with picturesque villages and tourist destinations to take in along the way. What better way to recharge the batteries and gain inspiration?
Leeds
Leeds is around 20 minutes away by train, and offers fantastic shopping, culture and nightlife.
Manchester
A centre for sport, culture and industry, with plenty to explore. Manchester is around an hour away by train.
Ilkley
A Victorian spa town at the edge of the Yorkshire Dales offering excellent restaurants and independent shops.
You can dive into one of the country's few remaining outdoor pools at Ilkley Lido, or take in spectacular views from the Cow and Calf Rocks on Ilkley Moor.
Hebden Bridge
An artistic, picturesque town packed with independent boutiques, galleries, bars and coffee shops.
It's also a great place for walkers and cyclists, with stunning countryside in every direction.
