Bracken Hall Countryside Centre

About the museum

Bracken Hall Countryside Centre stands on Shipley Glen at the edge of Baildon Moor, inside the Bradford Pennine Gateway National Nature Reserve. The building is a gritstone house from around the 1890s, once a bailiff’s house and later a farmhouse. The countryside centre and museum was established in the early 1980s and moved into Bracken Hall in 1989.

Bradford Council stopped funding the centre in 2013 and it closed. The Friends of Bracken Hall campaigned for its return, and it reopened to the public in April 2016 with support from Baildon Town Council. It is staffed largely by volunteers.

The exhibition room shows the local history, heritage and natural history of Shipley Glen and Baildon Moor. The centre also has a wildlife garden, a classroom and a hub room, and it runs a year-round programme of walks, workshops, craft sessions and family events as well as educational visits for schools.

Highlights

• Exhibitions on the heritage and natural history of Shipley Glen and Baildon Moor
• Wildlife garden
• Weekend drop-in craft activities and wildlife trail
• Walks and family events throughout the year
• Close to Shipley Glen Tramway

Permanent exhibition

• Shipley Glen and Baildon Moor exhibition – The exhibition room presents the local history, heritage and natural history of Shipley Glen and Baildon Moor.

Founded

1989

Operated by

Baildon Town Council

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

A regional tourism listing gives free entry with donations encouraged; some special events charge a fee and may need booking. The number given is the council’s general number because the centre’s own page lists no phone number.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A regional tourism listing mentions disabled access and facilities for visitors with hearing or visual impairments, but no details are given on the centre’s own pages.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Drop-in art and craft sessions and a wildlife garden trail run at weekends, and the centre hosts holiday workshops, forest school sessions and a parent and toddler group.

Getting there & parking

By car, follow the B6151 to Baildon, take the second left at the Baildon Village roundabout and continue about 1.75 miles to Shipley Glen; turn right at the T-junction and the centre is about 200 yards on the right.

Amenities & dining

A regional tourism listing mentions public toilets and a picnic site. The centre has a wildlife garden.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 16 guests.

The classroom with a small kitchen area (up to 16 seats) and the hub room (up to 10 seats) can be hired. Contact the manager for costs and availability.

Plan your visit