Bradford CathedralPhoto: BfdCathedral · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

Free things to do in Bradford

Bradford is one of the best places in Yorkshire for a free day out, because its biggest museums don't charge for entry. The National Science and Media Museum is free and open daily, and Cartwright Hall Art Gallery sits inside Lister Park, with its Mughal water garden and boating lake. Add Bradford Industrial Museum, set in an old worsted spinning mill, and you can fill a weekend without paying to get in anywhere.

There's a good mix: free museums for wet days, big Victorian parks like Peel Park and Lister Park, and easy walks at Chellow Dene and Horton Bank Country Park. The parks are open all year, and autumn is a lovely time for Chellow Dene, when the beech woods turn gold.

🗺️ See them on the map More in West Yorkshire

Highlights

National Science and Media Museum

Photo: Chemical Engineer · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

W E Forster

Photo: Philip Halling · CC BY-SA 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

Oastler Statue

Photo: Green Giant · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons

J B Priestley

Photo: Stephen Armstrong · CC BY-SA 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

The Baby of the North

Photo: Stephen Armstrong · CC BY-SA 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

Peel Park

Photo: Betty Longbottom · CC BY-SA 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

Best for rainy days

On a wet day, head for the National Science and Media Museum, which is free and has Wonderlab, the Kodak Gallery and the Power Up gaming gallery. Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, Bolling Hall Museum and Bradford Industrial Museum are also free to visit, but check opening days first as some close on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Bradford Cathedral⛪ Abbey & priory📍 BradfordThe oldest building in Bradford, a Grade I cathedral on a site of worship since the 7th century.✓ Free · donations welcome

National Science and Media Museum🏛️ Museum📍 BradfordPhotography, film, TV and the science of light and sound.Free entry · paid extras

Bolling Hall Museum🏛️ Museum📍 BowlingA museum or gallery near Bowling.Free entry · paid extras

Bradford Industrial Museum🏛️ Museum📍 UndercliffeA museum or gallery near Undercliffe.Free entry · paid extras

Loading Bay🖼️ Art gallery📍 BradfordA museum or gallery near Bradford.Free entry · paid extras

Best for families

Peel Park has two play areas, including an accessible one with a zip wire and climbing dome rebuilt in 2023, plus a lake with swans. Lister Park has a children's playground and a boating lake, and the Makespace family area at the National Science and Media Museum is good for younger kids.

Bradford Cathedral⛪ Abbey & priory📍 BradfordThe oldest building in Bradford, a Grade I cathedral on a site of worship since the 7th century.✓ Free · donations welcome

National Science and Media Museum🏛️ Museum📍 BradfordPhotography, film, TV and the science of light and sound.Free entry · paid extras

Peel Park🌳 Park📍 BoltonA public park and green space near Bolton.✓ Free

Horton Park🌳 Park📍 Great HortonA public park and green space near Great Horton.✓ Free

Bradford Moor Park🌳 Park📍 Bradford MoorA public park and green space near Bradford Moor.✓ Free

Brackenhill Park🌳 Park📍 ScholemoorA public park and green space near Scholemoor.✓ Free

All free places in Bradford

See them all on the map ›

W E Forster🎨 Public art & sculpture📍 BradfordPublic art to spot on a walk in Bradford.✓ Free

Oastler Statue🎨 Public art & sculpture📍 BradfordPublic art to spot on a walk in Bradford.✓ Free

J B Priestley🎨 Public art & sculpture📍 BradfordPublic art to spot on a walk in Bradford.✓ Free

The Baby of the North🎨 Public art & sculpture📍 BradfordPublic art to spot on a walk in Bradford.✓ Free

Sir Robert Peel🎨 Public art & sculpture📍 BoltonPublic art to spot on a walk in Bolton.✓ Free

Samuel Lister🎨 Public art & sculpture📍 ManninghamPublic art to spot on a walk in Manningham.✓ Free

Valley Natural Play Park🌳 Park📍 HolmewoodA public park and green space near Holmewood.✓ Free

Wibsey Park🌳 Park📍 ButtershawA public park and green space near Buttershaw.✓ Free

Horton Bank Country Park🌳 Park📍 Westwood ParkA public park and green space near Westwood Park.✓ Free

Harold Park🌳 Park📍 Low MoorA public park and green space near Low Moor.✓ Free

Pitty Beck Wetlands🌳 Park📍 AllertonA public park and green space near Allerton.✓ Free

Upcoming free events

Tue27OctFamily Craft Drop-In: Vespertine Garden🧒 Family📍 ThorntonA free half-term craft session in Thornton. Families paint and sculpt night-time creatures like bats, owls and hedgehogs for a community art installation.Free · booking needed Fri13NovThe Piece Hall Christmas Market🛍️ Market📍 HalifaxA weekend Christmas market in Halifax's Georgian Piece Hall, open Fridays to Sundays over six weekends. Free entry.Free entry · paid extras Sun15NovLight for Leeds – Interfaith Event at Kirkstall Abbey🏛️ Heritage📍 LeedsA free drop-in afternoon at Kirkstall Abbey to close Interfaith Week, with music, quiet reflection and stalls from many faiths and none.✓ Free · donations welcome Sat28NovBradford Industrial Museum Christmas Market🛍️ Market📍 BradfordA weekend Christmas market at Bradford Industrial Museum, with handmade crafts, artisan goods, decorations and gift ideas.Free entry · paid extras Sat5DecBradford’s Retrospective: DNA Tapestries🧒 Family📍 UndercliffeFREE entry Discover the DNA of Bradford through this youth-led pop-up mini museum created by Bradford District Museums and Galleries’ Young Ambassadors.✓ Free

Getting there and around

Bradford has two stations about a 10-minute walk apart. Bradford Interchange is on the Calder Valley line (Leeds, Halifax, Huddersfield and Manchester), and it's about five minutes' walk to the National Science and Media Museum. Bradford Forster Square has trains to Leeds, Ilkley and Skipton. City centre parking is paid, but Bradford Industrial Museum has free parking on site, and Chellow Dene has a small car park off Haworth Road.

Questions people ask about Bradford

What free things are there to do in Bradford?

You can visit the National Science and Media Museum, Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, Bolling Hall Museum and Bradford Industrial Museum without paying for entry. For outdoor days, try Lister Park, Peel Park, Chellow Dene or Horton Bank Country Park.

Is the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford free?

Yes, entry to the museum is free and it's open daily from 10am to 5pm. Cinema and IMAX tickets cost extra, and booking a free timed ticket is recommended at busy times.

Where can kids play for free in Bradford?

Peel Park has two play areas, one of them accessible and rebuilt in 2023 with a zip wire and group swing. Lister Park has a playground and a lake with ducks, geese and swans, and Valley Natural Play Park in Holmewood is another option.

Where can I go for a free walk in Bradford?

Chellow Dene is an easy woodland walk around two Victorian reservoirs, though there are no toilets on the route. Horton Bank Country Park has a short lakeside path and hilltop views over the city.