What To See At The Bradford Cathedral Ecclesiastical Textiles Tours This Year

Ever walked past a historic building in your own city and wondered what stories are hiding inside? In a place like Bradford, which is buzzing with energy for its UK City of Culture year, there are loads of hidden treasures just waiting to be found. And sometimes, the best stories aren't just in the stones of a building, but in the threads of fabric kept within it. For anyone looking for a unique day out, there's a final opportunity this year to see a truly special collection. Bradford Cathedral is hosting its last Ecclesiastical Textiles Tours for 2025, offering a peek at some stunning and historic works of art that are often kept behind the scenes.

A proper look at a hidden collection

On Saturday, 8th November 2025, Bradford Cathedral is holding two special tours focused entirely on its incredible collection of ecclesiastical textiles. Now, ‘ecclesiastical textiles’ might sound a bit grand, but it really just means the beautiful, specially designed fabrics and embroideries used in churches. Think of colourful banners, intricate cloths for the altar, and robes with amazing detail. These aren't just decorations; they're pieces of history, each one telling a story about the people who made them and the times they lived in.

These tours are a rare chance to discover this beautiful collection up close. Some of these textiles are always on display, but many are so delicate or historically important that they're kept safely stored away. This event is the last opportunity in the 2025 calendar year to see them, guided by an expert who can bring their stories to life. It’s part of the wider Bradford 2025 celebrations, making it a perfect activity during the city’s big year. The tours are designed to give visitors a deeper understanding of the cathedral's past through these remarkable fabrics.

Threads of history: what's in the collection?

The collection at Bradford Cathedral is seriously impressive, featuring pieces designed by some famous names and local heroes. It’s a real mix of styles and eras, showing how art and faith have been woven together over the years.

Here are just some of the highlights visitors can expect to see:

• Morris & Co. designs: Anyone who loves interior design will know the name Morris & Co. William Morris was a massive figure in the Arts and Crafts Movement, famous for his stunning patterns inspired by nature. Seeing textiles designed by his company is a real treat.
• Work by Louisa Pesel: A renowned embroiderer from Bradford, Louisa Pesel has a particularly moving story connected to the cathedral. She designed one of the altar frontals—that’s the decorative cloth on the front of the main altar—which was then worked on by soldiers recovering from shell-shock during the First World War. It's an incredibly powerful piece of living history.
• Bradfordian artists: The collection also features works by local Bradford artist Ernest Sichel, highlighting the city's own creative talent.
• Contemporary textiles: It’s not all about the distant past. There are also contemporary textiles designed by Polly Meynell, showing that this tradition of creating beautiful fabrics for the cathedral is still very much alive.

These beautiful and intricate ecclesiastical textiles tell the story not just of the Anglican Cathedral, but of Bradford itself. From world-renowned designers to local artisans and even soldiers finding therapy through stitching, every thread has a tale.

Your guide for the day

Leading these special tours is Maggie Myers, Bradford Cathedral’s Director of Education and Visitors. You couldn't ask for a better guide; as an expert historian, she knows the stories behind every single piece in the collection. Her passion for the subject is clear, and she has a knack for making history feel immediate and exciting. Instead of just looking at objects in a display case, visitors will hear the fascinating context behind them.

Maggie Myers encourages people to join the tour to appreciate these stunning pieces properly. She says:

“Join us as we tour the Cathedral, seeing these stunning textiles in situ — some of which are rarely on display — and hearing the fascinating stories behind them.”

It’s this chance to get up close and see the detail that makes these tours so special. Maggie adds:

“The Cathedral is such a lovely building, with so many wonderful features and stories. This is a rare opportunity to focus on its fascinating textiles and to get up close to them in order to appreciate them fully.”

Don't miss out: booking your spot

This is the final opportunity to join one of these specialist tours in 2025, so it's a good idea to book ahead. The events are happening on Saturday, 8th November 2025, with two time slots to choose from.

Here are the details you'll need:

• Date: Saturday, 8th November 2025
• Time: Tours are available at 11am and 1pm
• Tickets: £7 each (plus a booking fee)
• Booking for 11am tour: tour-nov25-11.eventbrite.co.uk
• Booking for 1pm tour: tour-nov25-13.eventbrite.co.uk

For just £7, it's a brilliant way to spend an hour or so, learn something new, and see some truly beautiful art that connects directly to the history of Bradford.

More than just textiles: a hidden jewel in Bradford

While the textiles are the main event, the tour is also a chance to explore Bradford Cathedral itself. Often described as a hidden jewel, it’s the oldest place of worship in the city and sits in peaceful gardens that offer a bit of calm away from the hustle and bustle. The building has seen centuries of history and is a landmark in its own right.

The cathedral isn't just a historic monument; it's a lively centre for the community, hosting regular services, events, concerts, and educational visits. It’s a place that has earned a whole host of accolades. For example, it holds a Gold Award from Eco Church for its environmental work, showing a real commitment to modern values. It’s even been shortlisted for the Bradford Music Scene Awards as a top venue, proving it’s a versatile space for all kinds of cultural events. Winning an award or two shows just how much this place contributes to the city. This Anglican Cathedral really is a special place to discover.