By Andy, founder
Winter in Bradford can be cold, grey and wet, but it has its own charm: frosty parks, a canal that looks lovely at dusk, a warm welcome in a cosy pub and a city that lights up for the festive season. If you've been waiting for the right moment to meet someone, the quieter months are a good time to start.
Out in the weather
Take a canal walk
The Leeds and Liverpool Canal runs past Saltaire and Shipley towards Bingley, where the Five Rise Locks are worth seeing. Wrap up warm, check the forecast and head somewhere cosy afterwards. It gets dark early and towpaths can be slippery, so take care.
Try Lister Park on a frosty morning
The lake, the bare trees and the long paths look beautiful in winter light. Stick to the paths and be back before the light goes. Cartwright Hall is warm inside, so check opening times if you'd like to pop in.
Warm and cosy
Find a cosy pub
From Saltaire to the villages around the city, there are plenty of pubs with a quiet corner. For a first date, a weekday afternoon is ideal: calm, unhurried and easy to leave after one drink if you'd like to.
Visit a museum or gallery
The National Science and Media Museum, Cartwright Hall and Salts Mill are all warm inside, with plenty to look at and talk about. Check opening times and any entry charges before you go.
Wander through Haworth
The cobbled main street, tea rooms and bookshops are lovely on a crisp winter's day. Check the weather and the roads before you travel, as the moors can be exposed.
Festive and seasonal
The city centre lights up for Christmas, and the Alhambra Theatre is well known for its pantomime. Check this year's listings before you plan around anything, because the crowds can be big. A stroll to see the lights with a hot drink makes a lovely early date.
A few winter tips
- Check opening times. Many places keep shorter hours in winter, so check before you go.
- Plan for the dark. It's dark by four o'clock in December, so a lunchtime date is often easier.
- Check the travel. Snow and ice can disrupt trains, buses and moorland roads, so have a plan B.
- Dress for the weather. Nobody is at their best cold and soaked.
- Stay safe. Meet somewhere public and make your own way there. Our guide to dating safely has more.
Looking for more ideas? Our first date ideas in Bradford work all year round.
- date-ideas
- winter
- bradford
