Bradford is a city blessed with architectural masterpieces and Bradford City Hall stands out as one of its finest examples. It is both a tourist attraction and the headquarters of Bradford’s city council. Spend time inspecting the richly decorated façade and peek inside the halls and meeting rooms. Marvel at the reflection of the building in a mirror pool, attend dazzling light shows and visit a police museum.
This colossal building dates back to the 1870s and was unharmed by the bomb raids of German troops that blighted the city in 1940. Winston Churchill addressed the public here in 1942 and encouraged the nation to put an end to World War II. The Venetian Gothic design of the landmark is inspired by the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence.
Pay attention to the collection of 35 statues that portray British monarchs, including William the Conqueror, in order of their coronation. Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria stand either side of the entrance. Curiously, there’s a sculpture of the Royalist military leader Oliver Cromwell, who served as the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England but not as king.
A 220-feet (67-meter) tall belfry rises above the building. Its 13 bells are the same ones that first rang in 1873. On the sunny days, the tower and building reflect elegantly in the water of the Mirror Pool in Bradford City Park. Regular light shows and 3-D projections add color to the city hall and retell events such as Bradford’s industrial history.
Inside, you can view the banqueting hall, council chamber and Lord Mayor’s rooms. See an exhibition of antique silver and walk up the ceremonial staircase. Access might be restricted due to official meetings and weddings. Learn about the history of Bradford law enforcement at the free Bradford Police Museum, set inside a part of the building that was once a 19th-century police station.
Bradford City Hall is centrally located between Centenary Square and Norfolk Gardens. Bradford Interchange bus and rail terminal is a 5-minute walk away. Visit during Heritage Open Days, when guided tours present the chance to see often inaccessible areas of the interior.
