The gallery was built on the site of Manningham Hall, the former home of the Lister family.
The collection contains a significant number of original works by David Hockney, including early sketches and major paintings.
The building's architecture is a prominent example of Edwardian Baroque design.
It houses one of the most comprehensive collections of contemporary British prints outside of London.
The surrounding Lister Park features a boating lake and a botanical garden with a Mughal-inspired water feature.
The gallery serves as a designated venue for touring exhibitions from the British Museum and the National Portrait Gallery.
The site was opened to the public by the Prince and Princess of Wales in 1904.
The permanent collection includes 17th-century portraits alongside modern abstract pieces.
Cartwright Hall is Bradford's civic art gallery, housed in a Baroque-style sandstone building situated in the center of Lister Park. The permanent collection focuses on 19th and 20th-century British art, with a notable emphasis on works by David Hockney, who was born in the city. The gallery frequently hosts contemporary exhibitions that reflect the cultural diversity of Bradford. The site serves as the city’s primary visual arts institution, featuring international contemporary prints and South Asian art collections. The building is Grade II listed, constructed in 1904 using funds donated by Lord Masham to commemorate the industrialist Samuel Lister. The grounds include a botanical garden setting within Lister Park, which contains a Mughal water garden. The gallery regularly engages with the community through educational programs and temporary thematic displays.
The front facade of the building looking across the reflecting pool in the park.
Combine your visit with a walk through the surrounding Lister Park to see the Mughal water garden.
Check the gallery's official website for current temporary exhibition schedules before traveling.
Allow extra time to explore the park grounds, which are often as engaging as the gallery itself.
Do not overlook the park's botanical features, as they are integrated into the visitor experience of the estate.
Closed on Mondays and some public holidays.
