OUT & ABOUT

PARKS & GREEN SPACES OUT & ABOUT

LISTER PARK One of Bradford’s largest parks, is situated in the Manningham area of the city. In 2006 it was given the prestigious award of Britain’s Best Park, and was also nominated for Best Park in Europe. Visit the Mughal Water Garden, or wander into the magnificent Cartwright Hall. North Park Road, BD9 4NR

GREEN FLAG AWARD

www.visitbradford.com ROBERTS PARK Located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saltaire, Roberts Park has a brilliant new play area and skate park, as well as a beautiful bandstand where concerts are staged throughout the summer months. Come down for a stroll or relax on the grass and soak up the atmosphere of a cricket game. Higher Coach Road, BD17 7LU GREEN FLAG AWARD YORKSHIRE IN BLOOM GOLD

PEEL PARK Spacious Peel Park includes a lake, parkland and terrace, all perfect for informal recreation and quiet contemplation, with the children’s play area and skate area ensuring there is something on offer for everyone. Bolton Road, BD2 4BX

CLIFFE CASTLE PARK The recently restored Cliffe Castle Park is well worth exploring with plenty to see including marble fountains, a pond, ornamental Victorian rockwork, glasshouses and terraces and a very popular children’s play area. A number of original park features have been recreated including the glasshouse and vineries. There’s also a new aviary and small animal house. Cliffe Castle Park, Spring Gardens Lane, Keighley BD20 6LH

GREEN FLAG AWARD GREEN HERITAGE SITE ACCREDITATION YORKSHIRE IN BLOOM PLATINUM

CENTRAL PARK Central Park in Haworth is one of the district’s Green Flag parks, noted for its beautiful flower gardens. Relax on the grass, enjoy the view and escape from the hustle and bustle of Haworth. Haworth, Keighley BD22 8QD GREEN FLAG AWARD

RIVERSIDE GARDENS Riverside Gardens, alongside the River Wharfe in Ilkley, is a lovely park in which to spend an afternoon. Perfect for a walk, and for playing with the kids - or why not pop into the Visitor Information Centre before you get there and pick up a fishing licence for a relaxing day out. Riverside Gardens Park, Bridge Lane, Ilkley. LS29 9EU

ST. IVES ESTATE The St. Ives Estate is a wonderful country park with woodlands and paths throughout. The Adventure Playground is a fantastic feature for the children, and Coppice Pond offers both fishing opportunities, and a chance to feed the ducks. St Ives Estate, Harden, BD16 1AT

PARKRUNS Parkrun is a free weekly 5km event for runners of all standards, which takes place every Saturday at 9am. There are four Parkruns in the Bradford District...

Lister Park North Park Road, BD9 4NR Horton Park Horton Park Ave, Bradford BD7 3BN Myrtle Park Myrtle Grove, Bingley BD16 2LQ Cliffe Castle Park Spring Gardens Lane, Keighley BD20 6LH

TOP 10 INSTAGRAM-READY SPOTS OUT & ABOUT

@mardymoo

ILKLEY COW & CALF High on Ilkley Moor the Cow and Calf Rocks are a large rock formation consisting of an outcrop and boulder. A climb to the top of the rocks is rewarded with fantastic views over Ilkley and across the moorland.

FOLLOW & TAG US #VisitBradford

www.visitbradford.com LITTLE GERMANY One of the biggest concentrations of listed buildings in Yorkshire and a regular location for TV and film shoots. Fantastically photogenic architecture and a great place to explore.

@thesageuk

MAIN STREET, HAWORTH Haworth’s famous cobbles are as picturesque as it gets. With quaint shops and cafés, incredible views and period architecture it’s well worth the trek up the hill. Visit during the 1940s weekend for the best photo opportunities!

@photosofbritain

@angiepops85

HEWENDEN VIADUCT An impressive viaduct standing 123 feet tall and spanning over 500m. The structure was originally built as part of the Great Northern Railway and is now a trail for cyclists and walkers.

@hannahlucyrose

WONDERLAB MAZE The Wonderlab gallery at the National Science & Media Museum features over 50 hands-on exhibits based around light and sound. The mind-bending mirror maze is perfect for a quirky photo opportunity.

BINGLEY FIVE RISE LOCKS An 18th century engineering masterpiece, the Five Rise Locks are one of the ‘seven wonders of the waterways’. Easily accessible from Bingley town centre, it’s the steepest staircase locks on the Leeds Liverpool Canal and well worth a visit. KEIGHLEY & WORTH VALLEY RAILWAY Pay a visit to Bradford’s own heritage railway and be transported to the great age of the steam train. Look out for seasonal specials for unique photo opportunities or just enjoy seeing the majestic machines in motion.

@hobotomphoto

CITY HALL Bradford’s City Hall is a 19th century Grade I listed building right in the heart of the city. Built in a Venetian Gothic style, it features sculptures of the Kings and Queens of England.

@carlmilner @peroxidemarky

CARTWRIGHT HALL Bradford’s civic art gallery, worth a visit to wander (and maybe take a photo or two!) in the stunning Mughal Garden and to see exhibitions including the Hockney Gallery and examples from Bradford’s civic collection.

@welcometoyorkshire

THE WEIR AT SALTAIRE One of the district’s most iconic photo hotspots, this view of the weir at Saltaire is accessible through the beautiful Roberts Park and offers impressive views of Salts Mill and the River Aire.

CYCLE CITY OUT & ABOUT

Having staged the Tour de France, Tour de Yorkshire and the UCI Championships over the past five years, Bradford is rightly recognised as a superb destination for cycling enthusiasts. It’s also fantastic for families and casual cyclists with a fine mix of hills, flat routes, towpaths, off-road trails and dedicated cycle paths.

TOUR DE YORKSHIRE (ADVANCED ROAD ROUTE)

Distance: 60 Miles (96.5km) Classification: Advanced Start: Bradford Finish: Haworth Duration: 4 Hours.

If you’re up for a challenge, why not try re-tracing the Tour de Yorkshire route? In 2017 the third stage, nicknamed the Yorkshire Terrier, set off from City Park, Bradford and this excerpt takes in the first section of this iconic stage, culminating with a finish at the top of Haworth Main Street. A favourite for both the professional cyclists and the hundreds of spectators lining the road, the route continues from Bradford out to Shipley and Ilkley before looping out into the Yorkshire Dales and returning into Bradford district through Silsden and Keighley before taking on the iconic Côte de Haworth which also featured in the 2014 Grand Départ.

BINGLEY BASH

Distance: 14 Miles Classification: Advanced Start: Bingley Finish: Bingley Duration: 2-3 Hours.

One of the oldies but goodies in the Bradford area is the Bingley Bash. It’s quick, varied and gives you the chance to see some great Yorkshire countryside, taking in views of St Ives, Harden Moor, Cullingworth, and Wilsden. If you’ve got 2 – 3 hrs to spare you can bomb around here with a big smile on your face!

AIREDALE GREENWAY (CANAL TOW PATH ROUTE)

Distance: 16 Miles (25.7km) Classification: Intermediate Start: Keighley Finish: Shipley Duration: 1.5 Hours

The Airedale Greenway is part of a larger cycling route connecting Keighley, Bingley, Saltaire and Shipley with Route 696 of the National Cycle network, which follows the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Discover a route that takes in beautiful countryside, rich industrial history, stunning scenery, galleries, shops, museums, the longest canal in the country and even a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

COUNTRYSIDE ROUTE: GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY TRAIL

Distance: 3 Mile Round Trip (with opportunities to extend the ride) Classification: Intermediate Start: Cullingworth Finish: Queensbury Duration: 30 Minutes

This trail is a work in progress, but the completion of the first section over two spectacular viaducts enables cyclists to enjoy day rides in this picturesque corner of Brontë country. This route intersects with National Route 69 and gives you the opportunity to cross the Grade II listed Hewenden viaduct, with spectacular views across this wooded valley.

TOP TIP Find out more information about cycle routes at cyclebradford.org.uk

THE GREAT OUTDOORS OUT & ABOUT

With over thirty public parks, epic moorland and rolling hills, the Bradford district is made for exploring. The dramatic Pennine countryside and wide open spaces are ideal for walkers, cyclists and days out with the family.

COW & CALF 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. According to local legend, the Calf was split from the Cow when the giant Rombald was fleeing an enemy, and stamped on the rock as he leapt across the valley. The enemy, it is rumoured, was his angry wife. She dropped the stones held in her skirt to form the local rock formation The Skirtful of Stones. The rocks are a great place to climb and the moor offers spectacular views of Ilkley and beyond.

FIVE RISE LOCKS Bingley Five Rise Locks are one of the most spectacular features on the Leeds Liverpool Canal. They are the steepest staircase locks in the country and feature in the seven wonders of the waterways. The locks boast stunning views of the Aire Valley and there is a cafe and a private mooring site for boats waiting for you at the top. A little further down the tow-path are the Three Rise Locks. Together they form a very popular spot to ride your bike, take a walk or enjoy a spot of fishing.

SHIPLEY GLEN Situated below Baildon Moor and with stunning views over the Aire Valley, Shipley Glen is a long shoulder of heathland studded with boulders left behind in the ice age. The Glen became a popular tourist destination in Victorian times, with attractions including a fairground. Today this is long gone, but it is still possible to ride the Cable Tramway up the Glen and the beauty spot is still very popular, particularly among walkers, climbers and cyclists.

ALPACA TREKKING Alpaca trekking, where Peru meets Bradford. This unique experience lets you take alpacas on a relaxing walk through the Brontë countryside. The experience includes an alpaca talk, demonstrations, photo opportunities and feeding time. As well as a steady journey through the fields up to the Haworth moorland. Westfield Farm, Lee Lane, Oxenhope, BD22 9RB

WOODLANDS Approximately five percent of the Bradford District is covered by woodland, mainly remnants of the ancient Oak and Birch woodlands of the South Pennines. Middleton Woods (Ilkley), Judy Woods (Bradford), St Ives Estate (Bingley) are all listed in the Collins Guide to the most beautiful woodlands in Yorkshire and the North East.

TOP WITHENS Top Withens is a ruined farmhouse set among dramatic Pennine moorland near Haworth. It is said to have been the inspiration for Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. The ruin lies on the Pennine Way, a popular walking destination accessible from Haworth and Stanbury. Such is the attraction to Japanese literary tourists that some footpath signs in the area include directions in Japanese.

GUIDED WALKS & WALKING GROUPS Bradford Council offers a programme of regular countryside guided walks. The full guided walks can be viewed at www. visitbradford.com/walks

WALKERS ARE WELCOME One of the best ways to explore is on foot and Bradford District currently has three Walkers are Welcome towns; Bingley, Baildon and Burley in Wharfedale. By having this accolade you can feel confident exploring Bradford’s stunning countryside with other very experienced walkers.