Bradford, Lands End

You have reached Bradford - the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and famous for wool and textile products and exports for centuries.

Bradford was a hive of industry in the 19th century, and plentiful employment encouraged widespread immigration, particularly from Ireland, and also a significant German Jewish population. They became not only vital to the textile export industry of the city but featured large in its civic life, helping to establish the Chamber of Commerce in 1851 and also, in the cases of Charles Semon and Jacob Moser, becoming Mayor and Lord Mayor of Bradford, respectively. Unfortunately, all this industrial success came at a price - at the height of this surge in prosperity, the average lifespan of a Bradford textile worker was just 18 years.

Unfortunately, a period of de-industrialisation throughout the 20th century has led to Bradford suffering periods of deprivation, although recent regeneration projects have done much to return Bradford to its former glory. Don't forget to visit the City Hall when you're there - it's not unusual to have statues of former monarchs in a town, but Bradford includes Oliver Cromwell in their number!