News

Bradford District is home to some of the most exciting museums and galleries in Yorkshire. Come and see for yourself
This latest blog from our volunteer Ian looks at the Butterfield Brothers as business men - which isn't a story we've told before.
Bradford District Museums and Galleries (BDMG) have worked with the Bradford Society of Architects and Surveyors to co-curate an exhibition marking their 150-year anniversary. The exhibition ‘We Built This City’: 150 Years of the Bradford Society of Architects and Surveyors launched on the 28th of September 2024 at Bradford Industrial Museum. Assistant Curator of Collections, Dr Lauren Padgett, tells us more:
Callum, currently working on archiving and researching around the wonderful collection of British Wool clothing we have which was designed and created for the British Food and Farming Year, 1989
As 'Dreams and Songs to sing' at Cartwright Hall is being to draw to end (The final day of the exhibition is on the 8th September), we wanted to share a couple more of the stories from the community that are in the exhibition
Many of our visitors to Cliffe Castle earlier this year enjoyed the exhibition of artwork inspired by or depicting Samurai that we had on display in the Bracewell Smith Hall. Although the artworks are now safely back in storage, we wanted to be able to share them with you still, so Dale Keeton, our talented conservator, who made it all look spectacular and Ernest, our wonderful volunteer have written this blog to provide some additional insights.
Due to generous funding from The Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund and The Friends of Bradford Art Galleries and Museums, Bradford District Museums and Galleries has an exciting new acquisition in its collection – a preparatory sketch of The Polar Star by William Shackleton.
In spring 2024 Bradford District Museums and Galleries were delighted to receive a small collection of objects relating to Stephen Brown, an award-winning powerlifter who had a rare genetic condition.
Our newest exhibition at Cartwright Hall is by Bradford-based photographer Cath Muldowney, created in partnership with members of Bradford’s Gypsy and Traveller communities.

Our Venues

What’s On

Bradford Industrial Museum

21 November 2024 11:00 am – 21 November 2024 3:00 pm

Join the Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers every Thursday 11am – 3pm in Bradford Industrial Museum.

Victorian christmas market poster - with all the same info as in the main text
Bradford Industrial Museum

23 November 2024 10:00 am – 24 November 2024 4:00 pm

Bradford Industrial Museum

28 November 2024 11:00 am – 28 November 2024 3:00 pm

Join the Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers every Thursday 11am – 3pm in Bradford Industrial Museum.

Cliffe Castle Museum

29 November 2024 11:00 am – 29 November 2024 3:30 pm

The Portable Antiquities Scheme have organised 15 minute timed Finds Surgery slots to offer your archaeological objects for identification and recording at Cliffe Castle.

Black and white etching of woodland. The trees are bare of foliage and in the foreground, there is a fallen trunk
Cliffe Castle Museum

1 June 2024 10:00 am – 1 December 2024 4:00 pm

close up of a christmas wreath made from natural materials

1 December 2024 11:00 am – 1 December 2024 12:30 pm

Join our fantastic Wreath Making workshop at Cartwright Hall on Sunday 1st December and create your very own stunning wreath to take home.

close up of a christmas wreath made from natural materials

1 December 2024 1:00 pm – 1 December 2024 3:30 pm

Join our fantastic Wreath Making workshop at Cartwright Hall on Sunday 1st December and create your very own stunning wreath to take home.

Bradford Industrial Museum

5 December 2024 11:00 am – 5 December 2024 3:00 pm

Join the Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers every Thursday 11am – 3pm in Bradford Industrial Museum.

Bradford Industrial Museum

7 December 2024 11:00 am – 7 December 2024 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”

Rag wreaths - decorative wreaths made of fabric strips. One is primarily read and green tartan. The other is a shimmery red/green material
Cliffe Castle Museum

7 December 2024 – 7 December 2024

Join our fantastic Rag Wreath Making workshop at Cliffe Castle Museum on Saturday 7th December and create your very own stunning wreath to take home

Christmas tree to the side of a big green fireplace
Cliffe Castle Museum

7 December 2024 – 8 December 2024 3:30 pm

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! We're delighted to be welcoming back the Keighley Lions to help us make Christmas magical, along with range of craft stalls to help you find the perfect Christmas gift...

Father CHristmas and elves posing in the Grand Drawing Room
Cliffe Castle Museum

7 December 2024 – 8 December 2024 3:30 pm

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! We're delighted to be welcoming back the Keighley Lions to help us make Christmas magical.

Bradford Industrial Museum

12 December 2024 11:00 am – 12 December 2024 3:00 pm

Join the Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers every Thursday 11am – 3pm in Bradford Industrial Museum.

Bradford Industrial Museum

12 December 2024 11:00 am – 12 December 2024 3:00 pm

Join the Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers every Thursday 11am – 3pm in Bradford Industrial Museum.

Cartwright Hall in the sunshine, with blue skies, and a blue sculpture in front

19 November 2024 – 13 December 2024

Cartwright Hall Art Gallery in Bradford will temporarily close its doors to the public for four weeks to undergo significant facilities improvements in preparation for celebrations for the district’s year as UK City of Culture in 2025.

Bolling Hall Museum

18 December 2024 10:30 am – 18 December 2024 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

19 December 2024 11:00 am – 19 December 2024 3:00 pm

Join the Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers every Thursday 11am – 3pm in Bradford Industrial Museum.

Bolling Hall Community Library

12 October 2024 – 31 December 2024

We are pleased to announce an exciting new reading adventure at Bolling Hall Community Library! The Secret Book Quest is a fun and free reading challenge for ages 5 and over, designed to inspire a lifelong love of reading.

Say 'Count me in in 123 ' in bright colours with cartoon owls surrounding the numbers - a blue 1, a red 2 and a green 3
Bolling Hall Community Library

12 October 2024 – 31 December 2024

Count Me In 123 number bags are a fun way for parents and carers to encourage young children to learn about numbers, colours and shapes. Sponsored by the Yorkshire Bank and are available for free loan from Bolling Hall Community Library, in the museum.

Bradford Industrial Museum

4 January 2025 11:00 am – 4 January 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”

Bradford Industrial Museum

13 May 2024 10:00 am – 5 January 2025 4:00 pm

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

Bolling Hall Museum

15 January 2025 10:30 am – 15 January 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 January 2025 10:30 am – 23 January 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

16 November 2024 – 26 January 2025

Over the last three years Neil Horsley, a local photographer, has  been documenting the repurposing of derelict textile mills by inspiring people, who have found creative new uses for such buildings

Bradford Industrial Museum

1 February 2025 11:00 am – 1 February 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 February 2025 10:30 am – 14 February 2025 12:30 pm

Bolling Hall Museum

19 February 2025 10:30 am – 19 February 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 February 2025 10:30 am – 27 February 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 March 2025 11:00 am – 1 March 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”

spooky image of Bolling Hall at night with a ghostly figure in the window
Bolling Hall Museum

2 October 2024 – 2 March 2025

In 2021, Bolling Hall Museum had a popular display in the housebody about Medieval and Early Modern superstitions. Back by popular demand, this display has been revamped for Halloween 2024. 

The new Bradford Town Hall being constructed. The building’s exterior looks completed with some building materials surrounding it and outside the entrance
Bradford Industrial Museum

28 September 2024 – 2 March 2025

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

Bolling Hall Museum

19 March 2025 10:30 am – 19 March 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 March 2025 10:30 am – 27 March 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

7 March 2024 10:00 am – 31 March 2025 4:00 pm

Bradford Industrial Museum

5 April 2025 11:00 am – 5 April 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”

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

Bolling Hall Museum

16 April 2025 10:30 am – 16 April 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

24 April 2025 10:30 am – 24 April 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

3 May 2025 11:00 am – 3 May 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”

Bolling Hall Museum

21 May 2025 10:30 am – 21 May 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

22 May 2025 10:30 am – 22 May 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

7 June 2025 11:00 am – 7 June 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”

Bolling Hall Museum

18 June 2025 10:30 am – 18 June 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

26 June 2025 10:30 am – 26 June 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

5 July 2025 11:00 am – 5 July 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”

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

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”.

Cliffe Castle Museum

24 July 2025 10:30 am – 24 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”.

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”

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”.

Cliffe Castle Museum

28 August 2025 10:30 am – 28 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”.

Bradford Industrial Museum

24 July 2024 11:00 am – 31 August 2025 3:00 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”

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”.

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”

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

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

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

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”.

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About Us

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