News

Bradford District is home to some of the most exciting museums and galleries in Yorkshire. Come and see for yourself
Our Assistant Curator of Collections, Emma Longmuir, shares the journey of curating 'Woven through Time'
As we look forward to the opening of Ice Age Art Now at Cliffe Castle Museum, British Museum curator Jill Cook introduces the themes of the exhibition.
Fatima looks back on the change between when she started volunteering and now
an insight into the behind the scenes work around the new display
Here at Bradford District Museums & Galleries Photo Archive we are celebrating the stories of two Bradfordian war veterans
written for us by Arlo, who was involved with the selection and creation of the 'I AM ME' exhibition
Our newest blog has been written by one of the participants involved in 'Fighting to be heard' at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery
We're taking a look at contemporary artworks by women artists in the Bradford District Museums and Galleries collection.
We came across a fascinating set of travel diaries by Mrs Smith, a relative of the Butterfields - let us use her own words to tell the story
Learn more about the 2024 Cohort of Young Ambassadors
examining the long-standing links that the building, the family and the collections have to music,
In this blog, Lowri, our Curator of Collections invites us to take a closer look at two new ceramic pots, created specially for Bradford District Museums and Galleries by ceramicist Emilie Taylor

Our Venues

What’s On

people talking in previous Bairds exhibition - cuppa in hand!
Bradford Industrial Museum

9 July 2025 11:00 am – 9 July 2025 12:30 pm

As part of developing the exhibition we would like to invite former workers at Bairds for a bit a of a natter on the 9th July we’re hosting at Bradford Industrial Museum

Images of the butterfield women - some are paintings others are photographs
Bradford Mechanics Institute

11 July 2025 10:30 am – 11 July 2025 11:30 am

We hear a lot about the Butterfield men who lived in Cliffe Castle. But the women of the family were just as interesting!

11 July 2025 10:30 am – 11 July 2025 12:30 pm

Museums for Play and Growth are FREE drop-in sessions for children 0–5 years old inspired by “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five”.

image of spellmaking ingredients
Bolling Hall Museum

12 July 2025 – 12 July 2025 3:00 pm

Listen to the witnesses and our Witch Expert and decide is Mary guilty or not guilty?

Bradford Industrial Museum

13 July 2025 11:00 am – 13 July 2025 12:30 pm

Join Razwan for a fascinating talk into the project and a hands on Nastaliq Arabic Calligraphy workshop, using bamboo pens and hand ground inks sourced from Bradford

Bolling Hall Museum

16 July 2025 10:30 am – 16 July 2025 12:30 pm

Museums for Play and Growth are FREE drop-in sessions for children 0–5 years old inspired by “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five”.

Close of up of the painting that gave fountains cafe its name
Bradford Industrial Museum

19 July 2025 11:00 am – 19 July 2025 12:30 pm

Join artist Jess Swift for some air dry clay mug making and decorating!

Close of up of the painting that gave fountains cafe its name
Bradford Industrial Museum

19 July 2025 1:00 pm – 19 July 2025 2:30 pm

Join artist Jess Swift for some air dry clay mug making and decorating!

A large teddy bear in front of cave drawings
Cliffe Castle Museum

24 July 2025 10:30 am – 24 July 2025 12:30 pm

Image of clay animals
Cliffe Castle Museum

24 July 2025 11:00 am – 24 July 2025 3:00 pm

Making portable art using pieces of clay, inspired by Ice Age Art Now

Stylised (Ukrainian) folk art depiction of a flower in blue and leaves in green
Bradford Industrial Museum

26 July 2025 12:00 pm – 26 July 2025 2:00 pm

Try an ancient form of art therapy once practised by Ukrainian villagers.

Cliffe Castle Museum

29 July 2025 11:00 am – 29 July 2025 3:00 pm

Help create a modern version of cave art on fabric.

carved stone in a moorland landscape
Bracken Hall Countryside Centre

29 July 2025 2:00 pm – 29 July 2025 4:30 pm

Join Gavin Edwards, archaeological expert & volunteer at Bracken Hall Countryside Centre, for a fascinating walk focusing on rock art

A little girl in a museum holding a magnifying glass
Cliffe Castle Museum

30 July 2025 10:30 am – 30 July 2025 12:30 pm

We have also prepared fun for our youngest visitors during the Festival of Archaeology.

a dark haired woman standing in front of a case of archaeological objects, with 'Vindolanda' embroidered on her jacker
Cliffe Castle Museum

30 July 2025 11:00 am – 30 July 2025 2:00 pm

In this session, you will become archaeology detectives as you put climate change under the microscope.

a atmospheric image of a stone circle with a stormy sky in the background
Cliffe Castle Museum

30 July 2025 2:00 pm – 30 July 2025 3:00 pm

A gentle introduction into the general topic of Archaeology.

a man in georgian clothing, a long grey curly wig holding astronomical models
Bolling Hall Museum

30 July 2025 11:00 am – 30 July 2025 3:00 pm

Come along and hear how Bradford’s very own Abraham Sharp helped mapped the stars with Isaac Newton.

close up of a gold coin with stylised design on it
Cliffe Castle Museum

30 July 2025 3:30 pm – 30 July 2025 4:30 pm

Gavin Edwards, offers an insight into an intriguing iron-age hoard

carved stone in a moorland landscape
Cliffe Castle Museum

30 July 2025 5:00 pm – 30 July 2025 6:00 pm

Find out more about the mysterious carved stones that are found dotted about the moor

Cliffe Castle Museum

30 July 2025 6:30 pm – 30 July 2025 7:30 pm

Delve into the fascinating world of buildings folklore

Jess (artist) posing with clay for a workshop
Cliffe Castle Museum

31 July 2025 10:30 am – 31 July 2025 12:30 pm

As part of The Festival Of Archaeology, join artist Jessica Swift for an air dry clay vase making class.

Jess (artist) posing with clay for a workshop
Cliffe Castle Museum

31 July 2025 1:30 pm – 31 July 2025 3:30 pm

As part of The Festival Of Archaeology, join artist Jessica Swift for an air dry clay vase making class.

Bradford Industrial Museum

1 August 2025 11:00 am – 1 August 2025 3:00 pm

Join us at Bradford Industrial Museum to celebrate Yorkshire Day!

Bradford Industrial Museum

2 August 2025 11:00 am – 2 August 2025 1:00 pm

Museums for Play and Growth are FREE drop-in sessions for children 0–5 years old inspired by “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five”

An image of Cliffe Castle and the words 'Join us for a family fun weekend celebrating archeaology.'
Cliffe Castle Museum

2 August 2025 11:00 am – 2 August 2025 4:00 pm

Join us for a FREE family fun-filled two-day finale to this year's amazing Festival of Archaeology at the beautiful Cliffe Castle Museum.

An image of Cliffe Castle and the words 'Join us for a family fun weekend celebrating archeaology.'
Cliffe Castle Museum

3 August 2025 11:00 am – 3 August 2025 4:00 pm

Join us for a FREE family fun-filled two-day finale to this year's amazing Festival of Archaeology at the beautiful Cliffe Castle Museum.

Ice Age Art Now
Cliffe Castle Museum

5 August 2025 10:30 am – 5 August 2025 3:40 pm

By blending history, technology, and imagination, Families can explore the world of the Ice Age using AI.

Ice Age Art Now
Cliffe Castle Museum

7 August 2025 11:00 am – 7 August 2025 3:00 pm

Explore Ice Age life & communication in this drop-in family workshop

8 August 2025 10:30 am – 8 August 2025 12:30 pm

Museums for Play and Growth are FREE drop-in sessions for children 0–5 years old inspired by “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five”.

clock tower, Bradford Industrial Museum
Bradford Industrial Museum

8 August 2025 11:00 am – 8 August 2025 3:00 pm

Bring a long an old plain t-shirt that you want to change and learn to make something funky and unique.

Ice Age Art Now
Cliffe Castle Museum

12 August 2025 11:00 am – 12 August 2025 3:00 pm

close up of natural pigments and examples
Cliffe Castle Museum

13 August 2025 11:00 am – 13 August 2025 3:00 pm

Explore the Ice Age Art now exhibition and make your own cave paintings using natural pigments.

cast of Cromwell's death mask in a case
Bolling Hall Museum

13 August 2025 11:00 am – 13 August 2025 3:00 pm

Make your own creepy clay mask...

Ice Age Art Now
Cliffe Castle Museum

13 September 2025 11:00 am – 13 August 2025 3:00 pm

Explore Ice Age life & communication in this drop-in family workshop

fuzzy black and green cushion made with fabric from the dressing gown in front.
Bradford Industrial Museum

15 August 2025 11:00 am – 15 August 2025 3:00 pm

Bring an old dressing gown, top, trousers and turn it into a bag or cushion. Learn how to make new things out of your old clothes.

image of a bound book
Bradford Industrial Museum

16 August 2025 11:00 am – 16 August 2025 1:00 pm

Learn the basics of craft bookbinding

Exhibition poster - ourneys with Mai logo also says 'Te Tero o Mai ' (same information in Tahitian) and a stylised wave design alongside an image of the portrait and

23 May 2025 – 17 August 2025

See this majestic 18th century portrait of Mai by Sir Joshua Reynolds – recently saved for the nation – as it travels from London’s National Portrait Gallery to Cartwright Hall as part of a major national tour.

shows a figure (in shadow and only part of face visible) holding a broken plate or dish with islamic (?) calligraphy visible on the plate

23 May 2025 – 17 August 2025

The Jameel Prize is the V&A’s award for contemporary art inspired by Islamic culture, history, society and ideas. This edition is devoted to moving image and digital media.

Ice age jewellery in a case
Cliffe Castle Museum

17 August 2025 11:00 am – 17 August 2025 3:00 pm

Making Ice Age inspired jewellery.

Bolling Hall Museum

20 August 2025 10:30 am – 20 August 2025 12:30 pm

Museums for Play and Growth are FREE drop-in sessions for children 0–5 years old inspired by “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five”.

View of herbal medicines set up in Bolling Hall Housebody
Bolling Hall Museum

20 August 2025 11:00 am – 20 August 2025 3:00 pm

Find out what Tudor remedies were used to treat people that were sick

A large teddy bear in front of cave drawings
Cliffe Castle Museum

28 August 2025 10:30 am – 28 August 2025 12:30 pm

Bradford Industrial Museum

6 September 2025 11:00 am – 6 September 2025 1:00 pm

Museums for Play and Growth are FREE drop-in sessions for children 0–5 years old inspired by “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five”

Cliffe Castle Museum

6 September 2025 11:00 am – 6 September 2025 3:00 pm

Help create a modern version of cave art on fabric.

Reindeer bone (metatarsal) with a carving of a cow-like creature
Cliffe Castle Museum

21 June 2025 – 14 September 2025

Travel back in time at this British Museum Partnership Exhibition with Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture and encounter works of art dating back thousands of years.

Bolling Hall Museum

17 September 2025 10:30 am – 17 September 2025 12:30 pm

Museums for Play and Growth are FREE drop-in sessions for children 0–5 years old inspired by “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five”.

students looking at stained glass
Cliffe Castle Museum

20 June 2025 10:00 am – 21 September 2025 4:00 pm

Celebrating historic collections through sustainable design

Cliffe Castle Museum

25 September 2025 10:30 am – 25 September 2025 12:30 pm

Museums for Play and Growth are FREE drop-in sessions for children 0–5 years old inspired by “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five”.

Bradford Industrial Museum

4 October 2025 11:00 am – 4 October 2025 1:00 pm

Museums for Play and Growth are FREE drop-in sessions for children 0–5 years old inspired by “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five”

10 October 2025 10:30 am – 10 October 2025 12:30 pm

Museums for Play and Growth are FREE drop-in sessions for children 0–5 years old inspired by “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five”.

Bolling Hall Museum

15 October 2025 10:30 am – 15 October 2025 12:30 pm

Museums for Play and Growth are FREE drop-in sessions for children 0–5 years old inspired by “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five”.

Cliffe Castle Museum

23 October 2025 10:30 am – 23 October 2025 12:30 pm

Museums for Play and Growth are FREE drop-in sessions for children 0–5 years old inspired by “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five”.

Bradford Industrial Museum

1 November 2025 11:00 am – 1 November 2025 1:00 pm

Museums for Play and Growth are FREE drop-in sessions for children 0–5 years old inspired by “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five”

14 November 2025 10:30 am – 14 November 2025 12:30 pm

Museums for Play and Growth are FREE drop-in sessions for children 0–5 years old inspired by “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five”.

close up on woven fabric , with blues, reds and yellow
Bradford Industrial Museum

19 April 2025 – 16 November 2025

The past and present of the Bradford textile industry are explored in this exhibition featuring beautiful costume, fascinating sample books and tools from the industry. Objects from our designated worsted collection sit alongside stunning visuals taken by photographer Ian Beesley

Bolling Hall Museum

19 November 2025 10:30 am – 19 November 2025 12:30 pm

Museums for Play and Growth are FREE drop-in sessions for children 0–5 years old inspired by “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five”.

Cliffe Castle Museum

27 November 2025 10:30 am – 27 November 2025 12:30 pm

Museums for Play and Growth are FREE drop-in sessions for children 0–5 years old inspired by “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five”.

Bradford Industrial Museum

6 December 2025 11:00 am – 6 December 2025 1:00 pm

Museums for Play and Growth are FREE drop-in sessions for children 0–5 years old inspired by “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five”

12 December 2025 10:30 am – 12 December 2025 12:30 pm

Museums for Play and Growth are FREE drop-in sessions for children 0–5 years old inspired by “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five”.

Bolling Hall Museum

17 December 2025 10:30 am – 17 December 2025 12:30 pm

Museums for Play and Growth are FREE drop-in sessions for children 0–5 years old inspired by “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five”.

Learn At Bolling Hall Museum & Library
Bolling Hall Museum

7 March 2024 11:00 am – 31 December 2025 4:00 pm

Visit Bolling Hall Library! Opening times are: Wednesday 10 to 2pm Thursday 10 to 2pm Friday 11 to 3.30pm Saturday – 11.30 to 3pm Sunday – 11.30 to 3pm T: 07582 108216 E: bollinghall.library@gmail.com

Images of the 4 nominated artists

27 September 2025 – 22 February 2026

The Turner Prize is one of the world’s best-known prizes for the visual arts. It aims to promote public debate around new developments in contemporary British art.

Items from Fountains Cafe - table, mural, painting etc
Bradford Industrial Museum

13 February 2025 – 13 February 2027

This display at Bradford Industrial Museum showcases iconic and recognisable objects from the well-known and much-loved Fountains Café, Bradford

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Bradford District is home to some of the most exciting museums and galleries in Yorkshire. Come and see for yourself

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