Bradford, as noted by Pevsner, is ‘essentially a VictorianCity’, and its impressive townscape embodies a fascinating blend of historical depth and architectural splendour. The city experienced an economic boom in the nineteenth century, earning the moniker “Worstedopolis” due to its preeminence in the world’s wool industry. It was a period, particularly from around 1850, that oversaw a transformation of Bradford’s architecture, with many of the buildings erected at this time still standing today.
The weekend begins with the AGM held at the Midland Hotel (Grade II, 1885, George Trubshaw) followed by dinner accompanied by wine at the remarkable City Hall (Grade I, 1873, Lockwood and Mawson, extended by Norman Shaw, 1905-9), including talks from local historian George Shearan on ‘Muck and Brass: Bradford’s Industrial Heritage’ and Councillor Simon Cunningham on ‘Heritage and Regeneration’.
Saturday’s itinerary explores Bradford’s Victorian heart, with guided visits to major landmarks such as St George’s Hall, the Bradford Club and the extraordinary Wool Exchange. The tour continues through the Victorian neighbourhood of Little Germany before culminating in a visit to the Cathedral, which features exquisite windows by William Morris and Co. Attendees also have the option to explore Undercliffe Cemetery, a Grade II* Victorian burial ground with great views across the city and a variety of Victorian monuments.
Sunday’s excursion by coach begins with a visit to the Grade II* listed Reform Synagogue of 1880, a unique architectural gem reflecting Bradford’s diverse cultural heritage. The journey continues through Manningham to explore the Victorian suburb, and then to Cartwright Hall, a magnificent municipal gallery that houses a fine collection of art of the period.
From there, participants journey to Saltaire, founded by Sir Titus Salt from 1851, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a pioneering and impressively unified example of a holistically planned model town, complete with a mill, workers’ housing, educational institutions and recreational facilities. Lockwood and Mawson, the architects behind many of Bradford’s major public buildings, also contributed to Saltaire’s design.