Heritage Open Day

Everyday Histories: “From the Broad Ford to City of Culture and Beyond!”

For this year’s annual Heritage Open Day event, we’re celebrating the ordinary and extraordinary lives of those associated with Bradford’s most historic building and site through the ages.

From Saxon origins, early 14th century destruction, later medieval re-building, Tudor alterations, Civil War skirmishes, 18th century additions, Victorian improvements and 20th century extensions, this building and site has withstood the tests of time.

What was life like for the people who knew and used this building?

What are some of their stories?

Do you have any connections? If so, is it time you visited this important place of your ancestors?

If not, why not come and learn about this beautiful and fascinating building and its significant role in Bradford’s history.

Join us for a fascinating exploration! There will be lots of information about the building and its people on display, with a self-guided tour available, so that you can tour the building at your own pace.

A historical guided tour of the building will also be on offer, as will a specialist guided tour relating to the “Everyday Histories” theme, during which we will delve a little deeper into the people and stories connected with this building over the centuries.

Alongside these there will be children’s activities, including historical dressing up, refreshments and talks by prominent local historians Cat Stiles and Derek Barker.

Talks and Tours

12:15pm- Talk by Derek Barker: “The Day Before Yesterday: St Peter’s Parish Church in 19th Century Bradford”- In his talk, Derek will describe the different places of Christian worship there were in the city at this period and look at the physical surroundings of St Peter’s. He will discuss the important people who worshipped at the cathedral and illustrate this with some of the memorials and windows that survive to this day. He will also talk about those from this time who have no memorial.

1.15pm- Talk by Cat Stiles, local historian: “Memento Mori: Remembering the Dead in Pre-Modern Bradford”- Bradford Cathedral has been a burial site for at least seven centuries, yet most of the monuments visible today date from the eighteenth century and beyond. So what about those who came before? Join local historian, Cat Stiles, in this exploration of tombstones, bone houses, and burial grounds from Bradford’s hidden past.

2:15pm- Guided Tour
A traditional tour of the building, its history and its heritage, unconnected to our theme.

2:15pm- Heritage Open Day Tour
A specialist tour by Maggie Myers, where we will provide more information about everyday people involved in Bradford Cathedral’s long history.