With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, the partners of Sparkling Bradford have shared the district's most romantic and unusual places to propose this year.
From spectacular and private outdoor locations to stunning grounds, the district has an array of locations to get down on one knee and make this Valentine’s Day one to remember.
Ian White, Ilkley BID chairman commented: “With its wealth of canals, wide-open spaces and renowned beauty spots, the Bradford district can give Paris or Rome a run for its money. Residents don’t need to look too far for stunning photo opportunities for their engagements; from the picturesque Ilkley Moor to Saltaire there is a perfect proposal spot for all the love birds in the district!”
The Cow and Calf Rocks, Ilkley
Ilkley Moor is home to the famous ‘Cow and Calf’; a large rock formation consisting of an outcrop and boulder, also known as Hangingstone Rocks. The rocks are made of millstone grit, a variety of sandstone, and are so named because one is large, with the smaller one sitting close by, like a cow and calf. Love struck couples can climb the rocks for spectacular views of Ilkley, which make the perfect backdrop for a unique marriage proposal.
Ilkley Manor House Courtyard, Ilkley
Ilkley Manor House is a medieval Grade I listed building in a conservation area, set alongside Riverside Gardens on the banks of the River Wharfe. The Manor House is said to be one of the oldest surviving buildings in West Yorkshire and is home to an arts and community space, which is fully licensed for celebratory events. The Manor House offers couples enchanting experiences for a romantic wedding proposal, including a spectacular solar gallery with large windows bathing the venue in natural sunlight.
Grandad’s Clock & Chair Statue, Bradford
A modern sandstone sculpture located in Little Germany in Bradford city centre offers an Insta-worthy wedding proposal opportunity for lovers. Installed in 1992, the artist, Timothy Shutter carved a mill owner's office with a comfortable chair, mirror and grandfather clock and stated that although the work looks back to the past, the swinging pendulum of the clock indicates that time does not stand still, and that the past has an important contribution to make to the future.
Hewenden Viaduct, Cullingworth
Hewenden Viaduct originally served as a railway viaduct along the Queensbury Lines. Being one of the highest viaducts in Britain, it has been recognised as a Grade II listed structure and was built for the Great Northern Railway to carry a new branch line between Keighley and Thornton. Offering magnificent views across the district, the viaduct would make a charming spot for an afternoon picnic and a proposal.
Top Withens, Haworth
Top Withens is a ruined farmhouse near Haworth and gives couples the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of one of literature's most famous romances, Wuthering Heights. Top Withens is said to have been the inspiration for the location of the epic love story written by Emily Brontë and lies on the Pennine Way which is a popular walking destination for tourists, offering beautiful far reaching views of the Bradford region.
Roberts Park, Saltaire
The lights in the bandstand at Roberts Park which are lit up at dusk, provide the perfect stage for an intimate wedding proposal. The bandstand was part of a restoration programme to repair and restore the Grade II listed Park, originally opened in 1871, that was designated, in conjunction with Saltaire, a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001.
For couples looking for the perfect rings to tie the knot, the Bradford district has an array of independent jewellers, including Tennant and Darragh in Ilkley, which has more than 80 years experience in making handcrafted jewellery.
Delivered by Sparkling Bradford partners; VisitBradford, The Broadway Bradford, Bradford Business Improvement District (BID), Ilkley BID and Bradford Council, the sessions form part of the campaign’s wider aim to boost Bradford’s economy and showcase the visitor experiences available across the region during winter 2021-2022.
For more information about Sparkling Bradford and how to get involved in the campaign follow #SparklingBradford on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or visit www.sparklingbradford.info.
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