Bradford Manchester Train

Bradford is a city located in West Yorkshire in the foothills of the Pennines and is approximately 9 miles to the west of Leeds and 15 miles to the north west of Wakefield. The city rose to prominence during the Industrial Revolution as an international centre of textile manufacture, particularly wool. The city's proximity to a supply of coal, iron ore and soft water facilitated the growth of Bradford's manufacturing base. Coupled with the increasing importance of its textile industry, Bradford's population exploded which in turn led to a rapid increase in investment in the city which is why the city has a large number of listed Victorian architecture including the grand Italiante City Hall.

The textile sector in Bradford fell into decline from the mid-20th century. Since this time, Bradford has emerged as a tourist destination, becoming the first UNESCO City of Film with attractions such as the National Media Museum, Bradford City Park, the Alhambra theatre and Cartwright Hall.

Forster Square Shopping Park opened in 1995 and is adjacent to the Forster Square Railway Station and includes over 20 large retail and food outlets. Bradford Forster Square railway station is one of two main line railway stations serving the city. The other is Bradford Interchange.

Located in north west England, the city of Manchester lies at the heart of Greater Manchester. Unofficially referred to sometimes as "The Capital of the North", the city is known for its influence on industry and music along with its globally recognised sporting connections. It is home to the UK's second largest airport outside London and is also the England's second most visited city by overseas visitors after London.

Manchester is a very mixed city. Many races and religions have communities in the city and it has a long history of being more tolerant than most cities to people of any background. Manchester's Chinatown around George Street and Faulkner Street has been a feature of Manchester since the late 1970s. Many karaoke bars and restaurants have opened in this district providing late night entertainment for all. You will find people on the streets of Chinatown speaking Chinese to each other and most of the signs are bilingual. It is home to many of Manchester's east-asian restaurants as well as many traders in Chinese food and goods.

The Village, also known as the Gay Village, has built up around Canal Street out of the many cotton warehouses in the area. Many of the city's most famous bars and clubs are to be found here, most of which are as popular with heterosexual party-animals as they are with the gay crowd, mainly due to their very late opening hours (5am or later) and friendly carefree atmosphere.