WHAT set Bradford’s bid apart from the rest was its strong local engagement, particularly with young people.
But significant cultural developments over recent years, adding to the district’s existing cultural attractions, were also key to its success.
In 2001 Bradford failed to make the European Capital of Culture shortlist. A Department of Culture report said it lacked cultural attractions to draw visitors. Since then, a range of developments and accolades have transformed Bradford. Here’s our Top 10:
* Saltaire: The Victorian model village became a World Heritage Site in 2001. Its independent shops, bars and bistros are a magnet for tourists, along with Salts Mill, home to one of the biggest David Hockney collections, including his recently unveiled 295ft long artwork A Year in Normandie.
Nearby, the historic Shipley Glen Tramway has been taking passengers through woodland for 130 years.
* Bradford Live: Work is underway transforming the city’s former Odeon building into a 4,000-seat live entertainment venue.
* St George’s Hall: Opened in 1853 as the city’s first grand public building. Charles Dickens, David Bowie, Queen, Bryan Adams and Blondie have all appeared at the venue, also home to the Halle Orchestra. In 2016 it underwent a three-year £9.5 million refurbishment.
* Alhambra Theatre: Built in 1914, now regarded as the North’s premier receiving venue, hosting musicals, international dance companies and Yorkshire’s biggest panto. It has staged major West End shows including War Horse, Wicked and The Lion King, which recently completed a two-month Alhambra run.
* Haworth: The Bronte Parsonage Museum attracts visitors from around the world. Haworth holds annual steampunk and 1940s weekends and the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway appeared in The Railway Children.
* National Science and Media Museum: The venue has seven floors of galleries, with permanent exhibitions on photography, television, animation and video-gaming. It has three cinemas, including Europe’s first IMAX screen, and hosts festivals dedicated to widescreen film, video games and science.
* City of Film: In 2009 Bradford became the world’s first UNESCO City of Film. The team works with major producers, securing locations and logistics for filming in the district. Productions shot here include Peaky Blinders, The Queen, The Duke and Downton Abbey.
* Bradford Literature Festival: Launched in 2014, the internationally-renowned annual event has had star guests such as Kate Bush, Janette Winterson and Ian Rankin.
* City Park: Since opening in 2012, City Park and the Mirror Pool - the UK’s largest urban water feature - have been used for arts events and a filming location for TV’s Ackley Bridge and DCI Banks.
* Cartwright Hall: Collections include British and South Asian art. Its Hockney Gallery has an unrivalled public collection, including the Bradford-born artist’s early work. Cartwright Hall is set in Lister Park, with its boating lake, refurbished adventure playground and the beautiful Mughal Gardens.
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