Undercliffe Cemetery and Lister Park

At the peak of its prosperity Bradford was the worldwide capital of the worsted industry. Many of its fine buildings and designed landscapes from the period re-main and this visit provided a good opportunity to visit two contrasting landscapes with expert local guides.

Undercliffe cemetery, a Grade 2 Registered Park and Garden, was originally laid out in 1853-4 and after an introductory talk we were guided around some of the most spectacular monuments, including 6 listed, to key Victorian “worthies” of the time.

Following time for lunch we reconvened at Cartwright Hall, Lister Park, for an introductory talk and guided walk around the park with local guides. 

In 1870 Samuel Lister sold his family home, Manningham Hall to Bradford Corpora-tion. It was purchased at “half real value” on the condition that the land was used to make a public park. This was the location of the Bradford Exhibition of 1904, was subsequently developed as a botanic garden and more recently developed to reflect the multi-cultural community in Bradford including, for instance, a Mughal Garden.