Bradford Police Museum
Independent museum in Bradford City Hall telling the story of local policing, with guided tours of the original Victorian police cells and courtroom.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Bradford Police Museum opened to the public in 2014. It is housed in Bradford City Hall, on the site of the former Bradford City Police headquarters, where a Victorian police station operated from 1874 to 1974. Parts of the original detention cells and a historic courtroom survive in the building and form the heart of a visit.
The collection covers roughly 125 years of policing in the city, from the founding of Bradford Borough Police in the mid-nineteenth century to the present day, and also looks at criminal justice, civic enforcement, and crime and punishment in Bradford. It includes objects, uniforms, documents, photographs and personal stories, and the museum has recently added a small fleet of former police vehicles, made up of two cars and five motorbikes.
The museum is an independent, Arts Council Accredited charity. Besides the gallery and cell tours it runs ghost tours, children's craft workshops, talks and Victorian court re-enactments performed by its own volunteer group, and it offers visits for schools and private groups.
Highlights
- Guided tours of the original Victorian police cells
- Preserved Victorian courtroom
- Gallery of uniforms, truncheons, documents and photographs
- Collection of former police cars and motorbikes
- Court re-enactments and ghost tours
Permanent exhibitions
- Policing in Bradford gallery – Objects, uniforms, documents and photographs tracing policing and criminal justice in Bradford from the early watchmen to the present day.
- Victorian cells and courtroom tour – A guided tour of the original Victorian police cells and the historic courtroom in the City Hall building.
- Founded
- 2014
- Operated by
- Bradford Police Museum (registered charity 1169131)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £3Over 60s, students and disabled visitors (gallery only) |
| Children & teens | £3free up to age 4 · Children aged 5 to 16 (gallery only); under 5s are free |
| Visitors with disabilities | £3companion free · A carer assisting a disabled person goes free |
| Students & apprentices | £3Gallery only |
| Families | £20Guided tour ticket for 2 adults and 2 children; a ticket for 1 adult and 2 children is 15 pounds |
| Guided tour, adult | £7Includes the gallery; booking online in advance is recommended |
| Guided tour, child (5 to 16) | £5 |
| Guided tour, concession (60+, students, disabled) | £5 |
| Guided tour, family (2 adults and 2 children) | £20 |
| Guided tour, family (1 adult and 2 children) | £15 |
Gallery-only tickets are sold on the day without booking. Tour tickets should be booked online. Art Fund Pass holders and Museum Development North volunteer pass holders enter free. Prices for groups are not published; group and school bookings are made by email.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: not available
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
A lift at the entrance gives access, and the gallery and historic cells are on one level, but some corridors are narrow. The Victorian courtroom is reached by a small flight of steps, and a video tour is offered to visitors who cannot use them. There are no toilets in the museum; public toilets are in City Park a short walk away. Only assistance dogs are admitted.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £20 · Guided tour ticket for 2 adults and 2 children; a ticket for 1 adult and 2 children is 15 pounds |
- Family tours & workshops
The museum runs children's craft workshops and an immersive courtroom experience for ages 5 to 11 on selected dates, and offers educational visits for schools. Child and family tickets are available.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bradford Interchange · 10-min walk
Bradford Interchange and Bradford Forster Square stations are about a 10-minute walk away. Buses stop at Bradford City Hall, Centenary Square and City Park.
By car
Paid parking
There is no on-site parking. Nearby car parks are George Street car park (2.50 pounds per day), Leisure Exchange car park (1.50 pounds per day) and Broadway Shopping Centre (from 2 pounds per hour).
The museum is inside Bradford City Hall on Centenary Square.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
There is a small shop with souvenirs, books, stationery and pocket-money items. The museum does not mention a cafe or Wi-Fi.
Events & venue rental
The museum offers private tours for groups.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography is allowed in most areas; filming is not allowed. |
| Good to know | The museum also runs ghost tours, talks, children's courtroom events and Victorian court re-enactments on selected dates. Educational visits and private group tours are booked by email. |
