For this year’s Heritage Treasures Day we’re celebrating the historic and magnificent Bradford Cathedral itself, along with its eagerly-anticipated and almost-completed model.
Burley-in-Wharfedale model-maker Michael Scott has been working on a scale model of Bradford Cathedral since April 2024, and his model will be on display in the Cathedral later this year (pictured below).
Director of Education and Visitors Maggie Myers says, “They say that imitation is the best form of flattery and watching Michael’s amazing model-making journey over the last 20 months, through his videos, has really shown his amazing technical skills, precision, patience, craftsmanship and artistry, as well as highlighting all of those qualities and the creativity that must have gone into producing the magnificent building of Bradford Cathedral itself.”
Of his epic Bradford Cathedral model-making journey, Michael Scott says: When I accepted the challenge to build Bradford Cathedral, I had no idea just how much work, time, and effort it would take to build this N Scale card model. Over the almost two years, I have thought of little else other than Bradford Cathedral and I must have looked at every single piece of it a hundred times (including its 125 windows and doors!) Although not a huge cathedral, there is so much to see. I have learned to recognise the different periods of each part, and I know the human stories that weave together to create this fascinating building. The model is far from perfect, but I have done my utmost to truly capture the essence of this beautiful building. Bradford Cathedral is, without doubt, a real heritage treasure!
Watch this space for details of when Michael’s model will be on display in the Cathedral later this year! His Youtube Channel @Chandwell documents the process of the Bradford Cathedral model, as well as many other buildings.
A visit to Bradford’s oldest building will not disappoint, with the main stone structure dating back to the 1400s, but with intriguing earlier fragments, and with impressive Victorian and mid-twentieth century additions, notably the east end extension designed by the Ilkley-born architect Sir Edward Maufe. There is a beautiful medieval oak-timbered ceiling and a stunning range of Victorian stained glass windows, with work by famous artists William Morris, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Edward Burne-Jones and many others.
And there is so much more! Why not pop in for a visit or join one of our tours. Our guided tours are an excellent way to learn all about this ancient building’s history, its art and its objects. We have upcoming tours on:
24th January, Ecclesicastical Textiles’ Tours, 11am and 1pm
31st January, Cathedral After Dark Tours, 4:30pm and 7pm
28th March, Morris &. Co Stained Glass Tours, 11am and 1pm
Bradford Cathedral is open from 10am to 4pm from Monday- Saturday, unless there are events taking place. Please check our website for any changes to opening times.