City of Culture - Bradford

[AlexLaw76]

I guess it must be a real shit hole if it now holds this 'special' award.

Anyone been?

[Turkish]

Believe me I live about 15 miles away it is an absolute shit hole. One of the worst cities in the country. 
 

Got a few mates from there and they hate it and have all moved out. 

Edited January 10 by Turkish

[CB Fry]

I've been to Morrisons Head Office a few times, which is on the outskirts. But driving through it/round it is difficult to disagree with the previous assessment. Shithole.

 

[hypochondriac]

Happy to say I haven't been for many years. Why do they always encourage ridicule by giving these things to the worst places in the country? Wasn't Portsmouth up for it at some point? 

[Challenger]

Never been but I believe there's lots of "culture" to be found there.

[stknowle]

I have to go there regularly for work with the next visit being on Monday. It is a bleak, dirty, grim, desolate dump.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

50 minutes ago, stknowle said:

I have to go there regularly for work with the next visit being on Monday. It is a bleak, dirty, grim, desolate dump.

And now it's a cultural bleak, dirty, grim, desolate dump. 🙂

 

1 hour ago, hypochondriac said:

Happy to say I haven't been for many years. Why do they always encourage ridicule by giving these things to the worst places in the country? Wasn't Portsmouth up for it at some point? 

It's just a platform by way of promoting history, as  a way of getting some funding for some projects/ redevelopment in areas desperately needing it.

I'd be happily surprised if this funding/ redevelopment was of the same levels as when it was the EU City of Culture. Not a Brexit moan, it's just because of the pooled funding that was involved, that led to bigger projects, and some lasting transformation.

[The Kraken]

1 hour ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

I'd be happily surprised if this funding/ redevelopment was of the same levels as when it was the EU City of Culture. Not a Brexit moan, it's just because of the pooled funding that was involved, that led to bigger projects, and some lasting transformation.

It’s not a moan, it’s just a fact. Liverpool completely transformed their city centre off of the back of the money for European capital of culture back in 08. A complete shithole became something genuinely brilliant. Like you say, I don’t think the level of funding by the uk is going to elevate Bradford to anywhere approaching mundane.

[Gloucester Saint]

Some nice areas around it, Saltaire, Bingley and the Locks, but Bradford itself is a shocker. It has been for a long time as well, the state of the housing stock is unacceptable in the 21st century, and parts of it don’t look that different to the Yorkshire Ripper era. Potentially some fantastic Industrial Revolution architecture to work with but as H&W identified, post-Brexit the City of Culture title isn’t worth spit in terms of regeneration funds. Another area that screwed up by voting for Brexit.

[whelk]

What I am getting from this is I that I shouldn’t be looking to take the missus on a city break there anytime soon

[badgerx16]

2 hours ago, whelk said:

What I am getting from this is I that I shouldn’t be looking to take the missus on a city break there anytime soon

It does have the National Science and Media Museum.

[spyinthesky]

I lived between Leeds and Bradford for a while and occasionally used to drive into Bradford on a Sunday to have  a look round and make me appreciate how fortunate I was to call Southampton home.
I also went to Bradford for the 6th Rd FA Cup game in 1976 which we won 1-0 and just about managed to avoid the very hostile atmosphere in and around the city.
We were sat in the main stand, the one which subsequently burned down, not far from Richard Dunne, who was British Heavyweight Champion at the time.
He was consistently calling for one of the Bradford City players to 'fucking break Channon's legs'!!
One of the facts I learned about Bradford was that the Odsal Stadium once had a crowd of 106,00 for a Rugby League Final replay in the mid 1950's.

Edited Saturday at 13:55 by spyinthesky

[hypochondriac]

14 hours ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

And now it's a cultural bleak, dirty, grim, desolate dump. 🙂

 

It's just a platform by way of promoting history, as  a way of getting some funding for some projects/ redevelopment in areas desperately needing it.

I'd be happily surprised if this funding/ redevelopment was of the same levels as when it was the EU City of Culture. Not a Brexit moan, it's just because of the pooled funding that was involved, that led to bigger projects, and some lasting transformation.

Just call it something else then. City of culture makes it sound like there's something culturally significant about these shitholes. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

37 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Just call it something else then. City of culture makes it sound like there's something culturally significant about these shitholes. 

Our politicians pass up the chance to cling to something successful with a cheaper, pretendy version? 🙂

More generally, everywhere will have history. Bradford was textiles with lots of wool. Getting money while being reminded of your heritage sounds nicer than the "Have a handout, because you're a broken wreck," award.

[LuckyNumber7]

Like most of the places in Yorkshire I've been to it's a grimy, cold depressing shithole.

The City of Culture thing really is a joke. Would have been embarrassing if we'd won it, but it was always going to go to a deprived northern cesspit.

[badgerx16]

23 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

City of culture makes it sound like there's something culturally significant about these shitholes. 

Birthplace of Delius, Kiki Dee, J B Priestley, and the magician Dynamo.

So it does have a bit of culture, but it's still a shit hole.

Edited Sunday at 10:39 by badgerx16

[Turkish]

49 minutes ago, LuckyNumber7 said:

Like most of the places in Yorkshire I've been to it's a grimy, cold depressing shithole.

The City of Culture thing really is a joke. Would have been embarrassing if we'd won it, but it was always going to go to a deprived northern cesspit.

You’ve been going to the wrong parts. North Yorkshire is wonderful. I love it up here. Beautiful countryside, villages and town all the way up through dales and across to the coast line with some lovely small coastal fishing villages and beaches that if the weather was better would match for anything in Europe. where we live you’ve got Leeds and York 30 minute drive away which are great for different reasons, the coast an hour away and the dales 30 minutes away. In the summer i couldn’t think of a better place in the country to live with everything you’d 

I agree though some parts are shit holes that’s mainly south and west with the old mill and industrial towns. Bradford, Keithley, some of the towns round Doncaster are horrendous. Also parts of Leeds rough as anywhere in the country. 

Edited Sunday at 11:11 by Turkish

[Gloucester Saint]

49 minutes ago, Turkish said:

You’ve been going to the wrong parts. North Yorkshire is wonderful. I love it up here. Beautiful countryside, villages and town all the way up through dales and across to the coast line with some lovely small coastal fishing villages and beaches that if the weather was better would match for anything in Europe. where we live you’ve got Leeds and York 30 minute drive away which are great for different reasons, the coast an hour away and the dales 30 minutes away. In the summer i couldn’t think of a better place in the country to live with everything you’d 

I agree though some parts are shit holes that’s mainly south and west with the old mill and industrial towns. Bradford, Keithley, some of the towns round Doncaster are horrendous. Also parts of Leeds rough as anywhere in the country. 

Yep, York has fantastic culture, Yorvik Museum, Minster, The Shambles (unrelated to SFC..) and some brilliant pubs.

As a Walker/hiker, Yorkshire Dales are wonderful. The Malham circuit is one of my favourite walks in the country, everybody talks about Malham Cove but Gordale Scar even better, Janet’s Foss waterfall and the Tarn. Tan Hill Inn highest pub in the country on the Durham/Cumbria border, the roads out have views right into the Lake District. Wensleydale and Swaledale stunning.

Kettlewell - could spend a week there doing the walks. Fleet Moss road a must cycle/drive near there to get to Hawes. 

[Turkish]

On 12/01/2025 at 12:05, Gloucester Saint said:

Yep, York has fantastic culture, Yorvik Museum, Minster, The Shambles (unrelated to SFC..) and some brilliant pubs.

As a Walker/hiker, Yorkshire Dales are wonderful. The Malham circuit is one of my favourite walks in the country, everybody talks about Malham Cove but Gordale Scar even better, Janet’s Foss waterfall and the Tarn. Tan Hill Inn highest pub in the country on the Durham/Cumbria border, the roads out have views right into the Lake District. Wensleydale and Swaledale stunning.

Kettlewell - could spend a week there doing the walks. Fleet Moss road a must cycle/drive near there to get to Hawes. 

Yeah I know all of those areas. we go up to Malham area a lot. We also go to Setttle area a lot during the summer. Last year we did a lot more walking and did one of the Yorkshire three peaks with my son and his mate which was great. They want to do the other two this year good to get them out on the fresh air and even better they want to do it no dragging them along
 

In the bad weather here last week the staff got stuck in the Tan Hill pub for a few days, could think of far worse places to be stranded 

Edited Monday at 18:53 by Turkish

[badgerx16]

39 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Yeah I know all of those areas. we go up to Malham area a lot. We also go to Setttle area a lot during the summer. Last year we did a lot more walking and did one of the Yorkshire three peaks with my son and his mate which was great. They want to do the other two this year good to get them out on the fresh air and even better they want to do it no dragging them along
 

In the bad weather here last week the staff got stuck in the Tan Hill pub for a few days, could think of far worse places to be standard. 

If you go up Ingleborough from the west, park in Clapham. Great walk up, and a lovely tea room when you get back down.

Edited Sunday at 12:52 by badgerx16

[benjii]

Deformity capital of Britain.

Good place if you've got a hot cousin, though.

[Sergei Gotsmanov]

1 hour ago, Turkish said:

Yeah I know all of those areas. we go up to Malham area a lot. We also go to Setttle area a lot during the summer. Last year we did a lot more walking and did one of the Yorkshire three peaks with my son and his mate which was great. They want to do the other two this year good to get them out on the fresh air and even better they want to do it no dragging them along
 

In the bad weather here last week the staff got stuck in the Tan Hill pub for a few days, could think of far worse places to be standard. 

I had a very good pint in there a few years ago! Lovely part of the world. Wilderness.

[Gloucester Saint]

35 minutes ago, benjii said:

Deformity capital of Britain.

Good place if you've got a hot cousin, though.

You may be getting confused with the Pompey thread 😉

[Gloucester Saint]

Some photos of the Yorkshire dales for anyone who has not been or been for quite a while. Bottom photo has Ingelborough in the distance, which Turkish climbed last year I think.

 

[Turkish]

Yeah there Ingleborough. We did Pen y Ghent pics below. Inglebourgh caves are well worth a visit. River picture is of the river through Settle which is great during the summer. Last ones are Brimham Rocks just a few miles from where we live, rock formation on the side of a hill well worth a visit. The rocks are cool but the views are spectacular can sometimes see RAF pilots in training flying below you in the valley as there is a base not far away 

Edited Monday at 13:15 by Turkish

[Holmes_and_Watson]

7 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Yeah there Ingleborough. We did Pen y Ghent pics below. Inglebourgh caves are well worth a visit. River picture is of the river through Settle which is great during the summer. Last ones are Brimham Rocks just a few miles from where we live, rock formation on the side of a hill well worth a visit. The rocks are cool but the views are spectacular can sometimes see RAF pilots in training flying below you in the valley as there is a base not far away 

You're putting a brave face on, for someone whose pictures show lots of shadow creatures like a MR James/The Omen crossover 🙂

[whelk]

49 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

You're putting a brave face on, for someone whose pictures show lots of shadow creatures like a MR James/The Omen crossover 🙂

My takeaway was Turkish has a pink handbag

[badgerx16]

From the tops of Pen-Y-Ghent, Ingleborough, and Whernside, if you look west, you are looking out towards God's own county.

Edited Monday at 14:19 by badgerx16

[LuckyNumber7]

On 1/12/2025 at 11:10 AM, Turkish said:

You’ve been going to the wrong parts. North Yorkshire is wonderful. I love it up here. Beautiful countryside, villages and town all the way up through dales and across to the coast line with some lovely small coastal fishing villages and beaches that if the weather was better would match for anything in Europe. where we live you’ve got Leeds and York 30 minute drive away which are great for different reasons, the coast an hour away and the dales 30 minutes away. In the summer i couldn’t think of a better place in the country to live with everything you’d 

I agree though some parts are shit holes that’s mainly south and west with the old mill and industrial towns. Bradford, Keithley, some of the towns round Doncaster are horrendous. Also parts of Leeds rough as anywhere in the country. 

Yeah I'm sure some parts of North Yorkshire are better, only been to York once as a child so don't remember it. I've been to Leeds loads of times due to family connections and it's a dump, horrible place. Grimy buildings, horrible tiny houses with metal bars over the windows etc although some areas aren't so bad.

I also find a lot of the countryside(moors etc) up there unappealing as well. Bleak, cold and barren, but maybe that's just me. Give me the New Forest any day.

[Gloucester Saint]

3 hours ago, whelk said:

My takeaway was Turkish has a pink handbag

That would go nicely with our third strip. Very fetching.

[Gloucester Saint]

3 hours ago, badgerx16 said:

From the tops of Pen-Y-Ghent, Ingleborough, and Whernside, if you look west, you are looking out towards God's own county.

Cumbria 😉

[Gloucester Saint]

10 minutes ago, LuckyNumber7 said:

Yeah I'm sure some parts of North Yorkshire are better, only been to York once as a child so don't remember it. I've been to Leeds loads of times due to family connections and it's a dump, horrible place. Grimy buildings, horrible tiny houses with metal bars over the windows etc although some areas aren't so bad.

I also find a lot of the countryside(moors etc) up there unappealing as well. Bleak, cold and barren, but maybe that's just me. Give me the New Forest any day.

The weather can make a huge difference, we tended to be up there in the last two weeks of June which bar last year is normally great weather. Still loads to do if raining, but it needs decent weather to be at its best whereas the Lakes, coast and Cotswolds can get away with it a bit more.

[egg]

I'm loving this thread as we're doing a north yorks road trip in the camper in the spring, thanks. Did Northumberland a couple of years ago which was amazing, but never seen much of north yorks so really looking forward to it. 

[Turkish]

27 minutes ago, egg said:

I'm loving this thread as we're doing a north yorks road trip in the camper in the spring, thanks. Did Northumberland a couple of years ago which was amazing, but never seen much of north yorks so really looking forward to it. 

Any tips mate drop me a message I’ve lived in Harrogate for 12 years and been coming up for 25 so know the area very well

love Northumberland been there a few times with the family and do a golf weekend up there with the lads every year. 

Edited Monday at 18:36 by Turkish

[Turkish]

47 minutes ago, LuckyNumber7 said:

Yeah I'm sure some parts of North Yorkshire are better, only been to York once as a child so don't remember it. I've been to Leeds loads of times due to family connections and it's a dump, horrible place. Grimy buildings, horrible tiny houses with metal bars over the windows etc although some areas aren't so bad.

I also find a lot of the countryside(moors etc) up there unappealing as well. Bleak, cold and barren, but maybe that's just me. Give me the New Forest any day.

Parts of Leeds are really rough and parts of the city centre best avoided but it’s had loads of redevelopment over the years and now great for shops and bars. 

[badgerx16]

42 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Cumbria 😉

I live in Lancashire, born in Hampshire, family originally from Cumbria. Win, win, win.

[egg]

14 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Any tips mate drop me a message I’ve lived in Harrogate for 12 years and been coming up for 25 so know the area very well

love Northumberland been there a few times with the family and do a golf weekend up there with the lads every year. 

I will do, thank you. We've added some stuff from you and Gloucester to the list, and noted to swerve Bradford!! 

[egg]

1 hour ago, LuckyNumber7 said:

Yeah I'm sure some parts of North Yorkshire are better, only been to York once as a child so don't remember it. I've been to Leeds loads of times due to family connections and it's a dump, horrible place. Grimy buildings, horrible tiny houses with metal bars over the windows etc although some areas aren't so bad.

I also find a lot of the countryside(moors etc) up there unappealing as well. Bleak, cold and barren, but maybe that's just me. Give me the New Forest any day.

Venture further north and try Northumberland. Imagine the new forest but with peaks and troughs, waterfalls, rugged coastlines and castles. The drive across the causeway to Lindisfarne is something else.

[Turkish]

3 minutes ago, egg said:

I will do, thank you. We've added some stuff from you and Gloucester to the list, and noted to swerve Bradford!! 

If you go across to the coast Staithes is a very pretty coast side visit, Robin Hoods bay is decent and Saltburn is nice we often go there for the beach In the summer and the chippy near the pier is amazing it was on great places to eat with Fred Sirieux a couple of years ago 

[egg]

2 minutes ago, Turkish said:

If you go across to the coast Staithes is a very pretty coast side visit, Robin Hoods bay is decent and Saltburn is nice we often go there for the beach In the summer and the chippy near the pier is amazing it was on great places to eat with Fred Sirieux a couple of years ago 

Cheers, never heard of staithes or saltburn. Will look them up, and see how it fits on the route. 

[badgerx16]

2 minutes ago, egg said:

Venture further north and try Northumberland. Imagine the new forest but with peaks and troughs, waterfalls, rugged coastlines and castles. The drive across the causeway to Lindisfarne is something else.

As long as you pay attention to the tides. Bamburgh castle, right on the coastal dunes just south of Lindisfarne, is beautiful, and an alternative way to get to Holy Island is a boat trip from Seahouses, which would normally also take in visits to seal colonies.

I also found Berwick a good day out for a history buff.

[egg]

Just now, badgerx16 said:

As long as you pay attention to the tides. Bamburgh castle, right on the coastal dunes just south of Lindisfarne, is beautiful, and an alternative way to get to Holy Island is a boat trip from Seahouses, which would normally also take in visits to seal colonies.

I also found Berwick a good day out for a history buff.

Bamburgh castle is something else, just magnificent. We went to seahouses to get the boat but the tide was too low. Then the penny dropped that the causeway must be open so jumped back in the van! Driving over was pretty special. 

Berwick impressed us too, just a thoroughly nice place with a lot of history. Just over the border, Jedburgh was interesting too. Craster was a quirky little place, and great if you like a kipper. 

[Turkish]

2 minutes ago, badgerx16 said:

As long as you pay attention to the tides. Bamburgh castle, right on the coastal dunes just south of Lindisfarne, is beautiful, and an alternative way to get to Holy Island is a boat trip from Seahouses, which would normally also take in visits to seal colonies.

I also found Berwick a good day out for a history buff.

We did a boat trip from Seahouses out to the Farne Islands it was probably the wettest I’ve been, torrential rain never seen anything like it 🤣

seahouse is a bit of a dump compared to the surrounding areas but that pub in the centre with loads of little rooms is pretty cool and the curry house up by the round about near the coop is top notch 

[Gloucester Saint]

45 minutes ago, Turkish said:

If you go across to the coast Staithes is a very pretty coast side visit, Robin Hoods bay is decent and Saltburn is nice we often go there for the beach In the summer and the chippy near the pier is amazing it was on great places to eat with Fred Sirieux a couple of years ago 

Whitby and the Abbey not too far either. Boulby Cliffs the other side of Staithes are some of the highest in the country and haven for wildlife. 

[Gloucester Saint]

59 minutes ago, egg said:

I will do, thank you. We've added some stuff from you and Gloucester to the list, and noted to swerve Bradford!! 

If your satnav takes your near Bradford as some routes do (we tended to opt for via Skipton when going to Wensleydale, and we love Skipton, the farm shop is a cracker, great classic car show every June, Jenson Samuel for men’s shirts) then if you enjoy industrial history Saltaire is well worth a visit. David Hockney art collection as well. 

When we stayed between the Lakes and Dales up above Kendal near the M6, a stunning route into the Dales is that way. Lakes fells in the rear view mirror, Yorkshire Three Peaks ahead and Howgill Fells straddling the two counties but within Dales National Park despite being in Cumbria.