MILLS AND BHUNA?

It's known for its industrial past and great curry houses, but FIONA WHITTY finds there's so much more to Bradford

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PEOPLE only have bad words for Bradford,’ said our Uber driver with palpable frustration. “But it’s a really great place - lots of history, lovely buildings, amazing scenery.”

After spending time in the West Yorkshire city, I totally agree.

Bradford made its name during the Industrial Revolution when its easy access to coal, iron ore and soft water helped make it the global centre for wool in the 19th century. By 1850, two thirds of all England’s wool was made there and its population ballooned from 13,000 to more than 100,000 in just 40 years.

But when textile production declined last century, so too did Bradford’s fortunes.

Today, however, it’s turning a corner. Impressive Victorian buildings built on wool’s success have been repurposed, the city centre reinvented and a thriving arts scene nurtured. It doesn’t take long to see why it was named this year’s UK City of Culture.

It’s also easier than ever to get there because LNER has just tripled its services between London and Bradford with seven direct trains each way a day. You can also change at Leeds.

I took a short break there with my friend Catherine and we started with a city centre stroll.

The stunning Venetian-inspired City Hall, built during the wool boom and now Grade I listed, features Bradford’s very own Big Ben - a 220ft clock tower inspired by the Palazzo Vecchio in Italy's Florence.