Bradford has a long legacy of visual art, with giants such as David Hockney, photographer Ian Beesley and multidisciplinary artist Shanaz Gulzar hailing from this culturally rich city. There are plenty of art galleries in Bradford and the surrounding areas, where you can experience the work of big names in the visual art world as well as work from the thriving local scene.

Expect to see innovative exhibitions and fresh perspectives

The top place to go for big names and thought provoking exhibits is Impressions Gallery. This diverse hub of photographic art in the heart of Bradford exhibits photographers from around the world, using different aesthetics, techniques and styles to present social issues which often resonate with communities here. Having opened in 1972 as the first specialist photography gallery in the UK, they have changed public opinion on the medium, giving artists the space to challenge and further this art form.

Still in the city centre, but on the other side of the spectrum, is Fuse Art Space. This dynamic space is host to visual art, film screenings, performance art and gigs. It’s the space where you’ll find new work from upcoming artists working with a mix of often interdisciplinary mediums. Expect to see innovative exhibitions and fresh perspectives.

Further afield on the outskirts of the city, in Thornton, is the South Square Centre. This collection of cottages now houses galleries, an archive and artist studios, which contain all manner of local creatives. The exhibitions here often have a mixture of local input as well as external curators. After an afternoon of gallery viewing, there is a handily situated cafe and pub in the group of buildings, all of which line the perimeter of South Square.

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