Bradford

Bradford in the central UK, has a unique range of things to do for families and singles alike. There are plenty of shops to visit and attractions to see. Many people enjoy simply walking along Bradford's many self guided walking tours to see the different sites and attractions. Bradford also has some of the best concert halls and theatres in the area.

Alhambra Theatre, is a beautifully restored music hall which hosts many different cultural venues from comedy to ballet to opera and plays. Built in 1914, it is worth visiting just as an architectural point of interest. It is one of the larger theatres in the area, and features a list of A-string performances by the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Northern Ballet Theatre and the National Theatre. Broadway shows and musicals are also some of the typical performances you'll see at the Alahambra Theatre.

St. George's Hall is also a theatre you'll want to consider visiting. The concert hall has been entertaining guests for 140 years. The building itself is a testiment to the Victorian age and features ornate windows and and detailed carvings on the buildings face. St. George's Hall was originally built to host brass bands, which were a favorite entertainment of the day. Today, it still features brass bands as well as many other types of music for just about any taste. It is also a favorite venue for traveling comedians and also attracts regular children's shows and other amateur productions.

Bradford also has many attractions for families with children including many animal parks some of which allow you to feed the animals by hand. There are many parks for playing and picnicking as well as a waterside pavilion which features rowboats and game courts. Or, you can visit the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television to see art house films. Baildon's Bracken Hall Countryside Centre has displays on natural history which allow children and adults to interact and learn about the world around them.

But traveling to Bradford wouldn't be complete without a walking tour. There are many self-guided walking tours which take you past many of the town's historical monuments and buildings as well as the downtown shopping district. There are many Asian supermarkets where you can dine on exotic foods and purchase beautiful hand embroidered products. As Bradford is a town with a rich textile heritage, there are many mill shops where you can get a very good value for your money.

One place you don't want to miss is Salts Mill, which is a 4 miles north of Bradford. Salts Mill is a Unesco World Heritage site, and has been refurbished to house many art galleries with award winning lithographs, oil paintings and photographs. Walking through the area, you can also see many historical buildings and breathtaking countryside. Admission is free, but parking is limited, so you'll want to take a cab.

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