Itinerary Planner

Bradford Film Heritage

City Of Film

Bradford, a UNESCO Film City, is known for its vibrant cinematic history and has been the setting for many iconic films, including the timeless classics Railway Children, Billy Liar and Ali & Ava.  Get ready for an incredible adventure as you step into this cinematic haven.  Discover Bradford's film heritage and fully immerse yourself in the fascinating world of some of the world's best-loved films.

STAY & EXPLORE

There are a variety of accommodation options to choose from when planning your visit to Bradford. If you prefer a more traditional experience, you can opt for hotels, guesthouses or B&Bs. However, if you prefer more independence, holiday lodges and serviced apartments are a good choice.


FILM INSPIRATION

Start your journey with Bradford City Hall in City Park, which also houses the Bradford Police Museum. This historic building has appeared in several films and television shows, including Coronation Street, Official Secrets starring Keira Knightley, and The Duke with Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren. You will be able to explore the historic law courts when you visit the Bradford Police Museum.

Make your way from City Park to Little Germany, a section of the city that used to house large wool warehouses owned by German immigrants.  It is well-known for its gorgeous Victorian architecture and is a favourite destination for photographers. Little Germany has appeared in Downton Abbey, Gentleman Jack, and All Creature Great and Small.

You should visit Undercliffe Cemetery as you leave the city to the east.  This Victorian landscape is quite fascinating. There are numerous notable city residents buried there, including politicians, scientists, artists, and writers. In the 1960s, the cemetery was used for filming Billy Liar. Since then, it has appeared in a variety of films and television shows, including Ali & Ava and Band of Gold. Guided tours and educational events are offered by the Friends of Undercliffe Cemetery.

Next visit is Saltaire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its amazing architecture and industrial past.  The village was founded in the 19th century by Sir Titus Salt as a model village for his workers.  It's a great place to visit and has been featured in Funny Cow, The English Game, and the Netflix drama series Bodies.  So, you can see the village from a whole new perspective.

Continue to East Riddlesden Hall in Keighley, a picturesque historic house surrounded by beautiful countryside.  It's a popular spot for exploring the grounds featured in films such as Wuthering Heights and the BBC's Gunpowder series.  Visitors can admire the hall's unchanged architecture and enjoy the lush gardens and wildlife.

Visit Haworth, a charming village nestled in the picturesque Yorkshire moors. Known for its scenic beauty and rich history, Haworth is a popular filming location for several films, attracting filmmakers from different parts of the world. The famous Warner Bros. film Emily was filmed in Haworth for its rugged and unspoilt landscape, particularly the moorland, which suited the film's melancholic and romantic feel perfectly. Some other films shot in Haworth include Wild Child, God's Own Country, and Testament of Youth.

The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway is best known for its role in the film The Railway Children and its sequel.  It is now a popular tourist attraction where visitors can ride a steam train, explore nearby stations, and enjoy the beautiful Yorkshire countryside.  This is a must for anyone interested in steam trains and looking for a nostalgic experience.

Ilkley is a fantastic destination for film fans, with scenes from popular films such as the heartwarming Miss You Already, the highly anticipated The Witcher: Blood Origin and the much-loved Calendar Girls having all been filmed there.  These films take advantage of Ilkley's beautiful natural settings, including the iconic Cow and Calf Rocks and majestic Ilkley Moor.  Ilkley's picturesque landscapes not only offer awe-inspiring views, but they also create opportunities for adventure.


To fully immerse in the city's film heritage, it is recommended to explore the Movie Trail. This trail will guide you to Bradford's most well-known spots.

Product Information

  1. City Park

    Bradford

    City Park is a six-acre park in the heart of Bradford which contains the largest man-made water feature in any UK city, plus more that 100 fountains, laser lighting and mist effects.

  2. Bradford Police Museum

    Bradford

    Victorian cells, court and gallery telling the history policing, crime and punishment in Bradford from the early 19th century onwards.

  3. Little Germany

    Bradford

    Bradford has a long and intriguing history dating from Saxon times. The city developed from a small market town to a prosperous city with the development of manufacturing in the 18th century and the growth in the wool trade.

    By the middle of the 19th century there were 38 worsted mills in…

  4. Undercliffe Cemetery

    Bradford

    Bradford's historic cemetery.

  5. Saltaire Village Heritage Trail

    Shipley

    Follow the Saltaire Heritage Trail, which includes 10 significant buildings and landmarks that were part of Victorian mill baron Sir Titus Salt's model village when it was established in 1851.

  6. East Riddlesden Hall

    Keighley

    National Trust owned historic house, garden, shop and tearoom. This award winning attraction offers a lot to discover and explore.

  7. Haworth Village

    Haworth

    Haworth is a small village located in the Pennine hills of West Yorkshire, England. It is most famous for being the home of the Brontë sisters and is a popular destination to visit. Haworth has a lot to offer with its cobbled streets, quaint pubs, and the Brontë Parsonage Museum.

  8. Top Withens

    Haworth

    Top Withens is a ruined farmhouse near Haworth, which is said to have been the inspiration for Wuthering Heights the novel by Emily Brontë.

  9. Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

    Keighley

    The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway is a heritage railway that was reopened in 1968 and runs from Keighley to Oxenhope through beautiful Brontë country. Board our steam train and enjoy the sound of the engine climbing the steep sides of the valley, while great clouds of steam and smoke add drama to…

  10. Ilkley Moor

    Ilkley

    Ilkley Moor is the perfect place not only to appreciate the panoramic views, but to also sample one of Ilkley's greatest attractions, its walking!

  11. Cow and Calf Rocks

    Ilkley

    High on Ilkley Moor the Cow and Calf Rocks are a large rock formation consisting of an outcrop and boulder, also known as Hangingstone Rocks. Ilkley Moor is a great place for walking and rock climbing and impressive views can be enjoyed.

Itinerary Distances

FromToDistance * (metric)
City Park (53.79216,-1.75404)Bradford Police Museum (53.79211,-1.75342)0.04
Bradford Police Museum (53.79211,-1.75342)Little Germany (53.794,-1.74673)0.44
Little Germany (53.794,-1.74673)Undercliffe Cemetery (53.80528,-1.73794)1.24
Undercliffe Cemetery (53.80528,-1.73794)Saltaire Village Heritage Trail (53.83959,-1.7897)4.6
Saltaire Village Heritage Trail (53.83959,-1.7897)East Riddlesden Hall (53.87614,-1.88142)6.54
East Riddlesden Hall (53.87614,-1.88142)Haworth Village (53.83009,-1.95394)6.3
Haworth Village (53.83009,-1.95394)Top Withens (53.81484,-2.03007)4.76
Top Withens (53.81484,-2.03007)Keighley and Worth Valley Railway (53.831,-1.9487)5.08
Keighley and Worth Valley Railway (53.831,-1.9487)Ilkley Moor (53.9163,-1.82182)11.37
Ilkley Moor (53.9163,-1.82182)Cow and Calf Rocks (53.91678,-1.80322)1.1
Total Distance *41.46 miles
Estimated Journey Time1.33 hours

* Approximate distance by road

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