What to do in Idle

Activities, attractions and tours

by the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, Apperley Bridge
Photo by Tim Green (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0)
by the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, Apperley Bridge
Photo by Tim Green (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0)
Apperley Bridge, Bradford
Photo by Tim Green (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0)
from Idle Hill
Photo by Tim Green (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0)
Holy Trinity, Idle 1
Photo by Tim Green (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0)

Idle Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Idle has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Idle is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Idle to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Idle Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Idle.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Idle attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Top places to visit

1. Peak District National Park

At its heart lies the Peak District National Park, which became the first national park in the UK in 1951. The cities of Manchester, Sheffield and Derbyshire are located nearby and are easily accessible by road and rail network.
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Peak District showing a sunset and tranquil scenes

2. University of Leeds

Renowned for its research and teaching, the University of Leeds is also set apart by its campus, which unites a variety of divergent architectural styles in a celebration of British architecture throughout the 20th century. Grouped on well-manicured lawns just outside the Leeds city center, it welcomes more than 30,000 students each year from a variety of backgrounds. The university was the first in the region to accept women, Catholics and other disadvantaged groups. Go on a walking tour of its many striking buildings and have a picnic on the grass, as you watch the students go past.
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University of Leeds

3. First Direct Arena

When First Direct Arena opened in 2014, Bruce Springsteen and Elton John set a high bar for the quality of artists who would appear here. Since then, a huge variety of entertainers have come, from Drake and Miley Cyrus to championship boxing matches to beloved local acts such as the Kaiser Chiefs. Don’t miss any of the action in the arena’s fan-shaped configuration. It is unique in the U.K., with the rear seats only 230 feet (70 meters) from the stage, rather than the usual 330 feet (100 meters).
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First Direct Arena

4. Royal Armouries

The Royal Armouries Museum is a comprehensive museum that displays a vast collection of weaponry spread across six galleries. Explore the extensive galleries and find displays of arms and armor organized into intriguingly curated exhibitions. Check out over 2,500 objects in the Hall of Steel or learn about the art of warfare and the history of hunting. Catch a live demonstration of jousting at the Tiltyard.
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Elephant armour.

5. Harrogate Convention Centre

Harrogate Convention Centre is a multipurpose complex containing several entertainment venues. With around 2,000 seats, the main auditorium is famous for hosting the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest. Check out the varied program and choose from the many shows across the center’s eight halls.
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Harrogate Convention Centre

6. Roundhay Park

Roundhay Park is a public park with a wide diversity of environments and manicured gardens to discover. Find a selection of formal gardens, two picturesque lakes, a sports arena, a Greek-revival mansion and a collection of greenhouses that mimic different climates from around the world when you explore this 700 -acre (2.8-square-kilometer) park.
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Roundhay Park which includes a fountain, a river or creek and a garden

What to do in Idle

Discover the most popular places to visit in Idle

Alhambra Theatre which includes heritage elements

Alhambra Theatre

You can get tickets for a performance at Alhambra Theatre during your stay in Bradford. Experience the entertainment choices and fascinating museums in this culturally rich area.

Alhambra Theatre
National Media Museum featuring signage

National Science and Media Museum

Kids love the distortions and tricks of the Wonderlab and the Games Lounge, while adults get a sense of nostalgia through the displays of old televisions and cameras.

National Science and Media Museum
Lister Park showing a pond and a garden

Lister Park

David Hockney’s pop-art works and modernist prints feature in the gallery at the core of a vast park with water features, botanical gardens and a pretty lake.

Lister Park
Bradford City Park which includes a fountain and heritage architecture as well as a couple

Bradford City Park

Hang out at this central urban park, home to green spaces, a spray pool, family-friendly festivals and a Venetian Gothic masterpiece.

Bradford City Park
Bradford Cathedral featuring a garden and heritage architecture

Bradford Cathedral

Bradford’s oldest place of worship is a celebration of the art history, religious past and wars that have shaped the city and its people.

Bradford Cathedral
Bradford City Hall which includes night scenes, a fountain and a pond

Bradford City Hall

Spectacular light shows illuminate this imposing Venetian Gothic building, which is adorned with sculptures of British royalty and a Venetian-inspired clock tower.

Bradford City Hall
Bradford Industrial Museum showing interior views and heritage elements

Bradford Industrial Museum

Learn about horse power and steam engines amid the vintage cars and machinery in this former textile factory, where the old workers’ rooms are on display.

Bradford Industrial Museum
Bolling Hall Museum which includes a castle and heritage elements

Bolling Hall Museum

Discover the art and architectural heritage of Bradford while exploring the well-appointed rooms of one of the city’s oldest-surviving buildings.

Bolling Hall Museum
Bradford Cathedral featuring heritage elements and wild flowers

Little Germany

Learn about the local history of Bradford when you spend time at Little Germany. Experience the theater scene and museums in this culturally rich area.

Little Germany

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Idle

Bradford City Park which includes a fountain and heritage architecture as well as a couple

Bradford

Corn Exchange showing street scenes and heritage architecture as well as a small group of people

Leeds

Beck Bottom
Photo by Chris Heaton (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Apperley Bridge

St John, Farsley
Photo by Tim Green (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0)

Calverley

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Rawdon

Frequently asked questions

Is Idle worth visiting?
Whether you want to enjoy the cultural attractions and local charm or sample unique foods and explore in nature, there's no shortage of things to do in Idle.
How do I spend a day in Idle?
Hollywood Bowl and Bradford Police Museum are two great places to start your vacation adventures. Remember to explore the dining and shopping options in Idle while you're in town too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Idle?
Alhambra Theatre is one of the top tourist attractions in Idle and should feature high on every itinerary of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Idle?
You can easily tick off top sights like Alhambra Theatre, St George's Hall and Hollywood Bowl with a three-day trip to Idle. On average, most travellers book two days here. There's plenty to see and do nearby too, so stay a while longer and head to York.
What are some activities to do in Idle with kids?
Whether you're travelling with young explorers or playful teenagers, a schedule filled with fun activities sets the tone for a great escape. Check out our ideas for what to do in Idle with kids.

What to do in Idle for adults?
There are plenty of things to do in Idle, with experiences for adults of all ages. Finish your day off at Bradford City Hall or Bolling Hall Museum.
Are there free things to do in Idle?
In Idle, Bradford City Park is a popular spot for anyone wanting to tour the city without opening their wallet. Also, wander around the parks and other neighbourhoods, and ask a local tour guide for ideas. It's a great way to find out about the best free things to do in Idle.