We explore the Routes, Networks and Connections through monuments and features, highlighting key moments in Bradford’s history, celebrating local transport heroes, plus a talk from the creator of model town Chandwell, as seen on YouTube.

Join us on Yorkshire Churches' Day for an exploration of Bradford Cathedral! You'll be able to find out more about our monuments through information stations, and there will be craft activities and refreshments.

You can just turn up on the day to discover more about Bradford Cathedral!

We will be running two tours during the day (each running twice): a general tour of the Cathedral, and a themed tour looking at the Broad Ford, the Market Charter, Joseph Priestley and the Canal, Abraham Balme and the turnpike, explorer William Scoresby, and the famous local Jowett family.

You can also:

Discover more about the pilgrimages and walks around the Cathedral including the Yorkshire Heritage Way, Tranquility Trail, and the Bradford Faith Trail;

The Friends of Bradford's Becks will showcase their trail with guides and a game to raise awareness of the becks in Bradford, reduce pollution and get improvements to the physical environment in and around them.

The Northern Section of the Jowett Car Club will display items of memorabilia relating to the Jowett family and to the production of Jowett cars at their factory in Idle, with members on hand to talk about the history of Jowett car production in Bradford.

The Canal and River Trust will be offering a delve into the past as they bring to life the Bradford Canal that served the city for over 150 years. Now defunct, the canal will be brought to life by Colin Sidway, author of “The Bradford Canal” and by The Yorkshire Weaver who brings the cityscapes of old to life through his woven tapestries. There will also be photos and documents from the Canal and River Trust’s archive.

Bradford Urban Wildlife Group will have display boards and quizzes about the wildlife you can see across the Bradford District, and information about how people can get closer to nature and help improve the local environment. The group runs regular events, outdoors in the summer and typically indoor talks and presentations through the winter.

And there will be a talk from Michael Scott, creator of Chandwell - as seen on the BBC News website - 'Smaller Scale, Wider Perspective: from miniature to marvel on a route less travelled': When model maker Michael Scott started looking for inspiration to breathe life into his fictional model town of Chandwell, he had no idea where the journey would take him, or the connections that he would make. Through paper, card, bricks, and stone, Michael shares his adventure — from invented tales to real-life discoveries — that ultimately inspired his latest endeavour: crafting a model of Bradford Cathedral. Join us as we explore the magic of creation and the wider perspective it brings.

12:15 and 14:15 - General Tour (please note the tours are now fully booked)

13:30 - Talk with Michael Scott

12:15 and 14:15 - Heritage Open Day Tour (please note the tours are now fully booked)

You can watch the first four videos of the creation of the Bradford Cathedral model on YouTube.