Things to do in Bradford

Bradford is home to the famous National Science and Media Museum (formerly the National Museum of Photography, Film, and Television), the most popular museum outside of London, which promotes film and movies. It has the UK’s first IMAX theatre, the Cubby Broccoli Cinema, and the Pictureville Cinema, which David Puttnam describes as the greatest cinema in the country.

Every March, the National Science and Media Museum presents the Bradford International Film Festival. Bradford was named the world’s first UNESCO City of Film in June 2009 for its ties to film production and distribution, its media and film museum, and its “cinematographic history.”

Bradford owns four theatres. In the same facility, the Alhambra features a smaller studio theatre. City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council runs these.

The Theatre in the Mill at the University of Bradford is a tiny studio theatre that hosts student and community productions as well as small-scale touring professional work. Bradford Playhouse is a privately owned and operated theatre with a medium-sized proscenium theatre and a small studio.

The Alhambra Theatre is widely recognized as the North’s top receiving facility, hosting the best in large-scale entertainment ranging from international dance to musicals, theatre, and Yorkshire’s largest pantomime.

Bradford has a lengthy sports history, and Bradford Bulls, originally Bradford Northern, is one of the world’s most successful rugby league clubs, having won the World Club Championship three times since 2002 and the Rugby Football League Championship seven times.

Bradford Bulls plays at the Grattan Stadium, Odsal, formerly Odsal Stadium.