Crafting the Cathedral – Bradford Cathedral

Bradford Cathedral has announced a heritage weekend of crafts and craft-making, a shoal of 950 fish is on display in Chichester Cathedral which has just announced its flagship event to mark Chichester950, Worcester has announced a summer medieval festival and Lichfield is bringing back The Beach and will host the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition – just some of the events visitors can discover at our cathedrals this summer.

#WishYouWereHere – Summer in our Cathedrals – what will you discover?

All our cathedrals have exciting programmes for everyone throughout this summer – from headline exhibitions to family days and arts and crafts – and all are underpinned by the daily rhythm of prayer and worship.

Some of our cathedrals charge entry and there may be a fee at others for specific events, but all our cathedrals are free to enter for prayer, worship or to light a candle.

Do check on the cathedral’s individual website for up-to-date information before you travel.

And don’t forget to share your pictures and tag us #WishYouWereHere – our summer campaign this year.

Crafting the Cathedral at Bradford Cathedral

Bradford Cathedral will host Crafting the Cathedral, a two-day event on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th July 2025 offering visitors the chance to try their hand at traditional crafts plus the opportunity to see weavers, spinners, dyers, embroiderers and lacemakers in action and celebrate the city’s rich heritage.

The two-day event is part of the city-wide Bradford Heritage Festival taking place over that weekend, as well as being part of the Cathedral’s “Weaving Stories” project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Friday 11th July is a day for those interested in textiles and crafting and. Saturday is families day with colouring, crafts, the chance for visitors to try their hand at the crafts on display, an exhibition on ethics of the fashion trade and much more.

There will also be craft tours, ecclesiastical tours and the opportunity for visitors to weave their own story onto the Cathedral’s loom set up in the West End as part its on-going tapestry project as part of its role in the UK City of Culture 2025

Maggie Myers, Director of Education and Visitors at Bradford Cathedral, said: “This is going to be a fantastic two-day craft heritage event, celebrating Bradford and the Cathedral’s textile heritage. We will have skilled craftspeople practising their crafts, opportunities for people to join in themselves and a number of interesting exhibitions linked to textiles and other crafts. ‘

Vicky Clifton, Executive Director of Bradford Heritage Connection says:

“We are thrilled that Crafting at the Cathedral is a key part of the Festival programme. The heritage crafts of weaving and stone masonry in the magnificent setting of our Cathedral, honours our rich cultural heritage in Bradford but also connects local communities and visitors to the craftsmanship that has shaped our history.”

Find out more here.