We live in the UK’s most bleak area – but it’s not as miserable as people say…here’s why we love it
LOCALS living in the UK’s most bleak area have said it’s not as miserable as people say and they love living there.
Bradford, West Yorks, was recently named the country’s murkiest place based on how little sunlight it gets.
The city – once the wool capital of the world – scraped 11.7 points out of 70 after rainfall, wind and average temperature calculations.
But locals have slammed the study after enjoying a sunny spell which saw temperature highs of 20C.
As kids played in the fountains at a city park and couples sunbathed on the grass, one family said “it’s glorious”.
Brad Crowther-Hirst, 46, was enjoying the sunshine with wife Rachel, 38, and children Molly, 20, and Elsie, six.
He told Sun Online: “The research might have put Bradford bottom but on a day like this you could be anywhere in Europe.
“Who would have thought it?
“There are definitely days when it’s cold and rainy – that’s just par for the course in Yorkshire.
“But this is God’s Own Country – and when the sun does come out, it’s glorious.”
Rachel added: “Bradford has changed a lot. It’s not as bleak as people think.
“There’s been lots of money spent on the place and it’s a lot cleaner than it used to be.”
Students Retaj Almahmeed, 21, and her friend Aseel Esmael, 22, are used to temperatures skyrocketing into the mid-40s in their native Kuwait.
Retaj, who studies civil engineering at the University of Bradford, said: “Right now it’s 37 degrees back home – so it is a lot warmer than here.
“But it is still lovely when the sun is out. Everyone is having fun. We really like it.”
Aseel added: “It was a shock to us when we first came here because it was so cold. We are not used to it.
“But we really like Bradford. We are Muslim and there is a big Muslim population, so there is a nice community to get involved with.”
On a day like this, it’s beautiful
Katie Trudgill
In 2021, a third of Bradford’s children were revealed to be living in poverty and some areas of the city are among the most deprived in the UK.
But tourist bosses say the city is on the up – with it this year named the winner of the UK City of Culture for 2025.
Bradford was also named the UK’s most improved city by the Centre for Cities in 2018.
Couple Katie Trudgill, 36, and Matthew Harrison, 38, were out with kids Emilia, 11, Finley, nine, Bailey, five, and Kai, one.
Katie said: “Bradford is definitely a city on the up. On a day like this, it’s beautiful.
“The kids love coming down here and splashing around in the water. And best of all is that it’s free.
“Honestly, I do think Bradford has a bit of an unfair reputation. I think it’s just like any other urban city, really.
“It has its problems, but so does everywhere.
“But the people are warm-hearted and there’s a nice community spirit.”
Alina Visovschii, 26, was enjoying a picnic with her pal Tetiana Belinska, 30, and their sons.
Tetiana said: “It’s is beautiful in Bradford when the sun is out. I wish it was sunny more often but when we have these amazing days, we go out straight away.”
The Yorkshire tourist board defended Bradford and highlighted the cultural value of the area – seen as the UK’s curry capital.
The iconic Mumtaz restaurant reportedly sent down dishes to London on the request of the late Diana, Princess of Wales.
A spokesman for Welcome to Yorkshire said: “The vitality of Bradford is hard to ignore.
“The bright lights of the Alhambra Theatre welcome visitors to see internationally renowned shows such as Hamilton.”
Second and third spots in the study were taken by Blackpool and Aberdeen.