Paradise Garden

Earlier this year Monty Don did a programme entitled " Paradise Gardens.
He went all over the world, and much to my surprise finished in Bradford, Yorkshire.
So today we went to visit this Mughal Garden. ( see top centre of collage) Quite impressive.
Also had a walk round the rest of Lister Park.
What a beautiful park.
Not sure why , but we were very surprised how well kept it was. No sign of litter anywhere.
Beautiful botanical gardens.( see collage)
A boating lake, and cafe where we had buttered tea cakes and coffee.
Well kept tennis courts, and bowling greens.
It was very quiet today, and a delight to walk round. So peaceful, and yet only a mile and a half from the city centre.
 I am sure will be busier at the weekends.

Set in the magnificent Green Flag - awarded Lister Park is Cartwright Hall Art Gallery.
Another place we wanted to visit to see the new permanent David Hockney exhibition.
Extremely well laid out and fascinating. His life story in photographs, and paintings.
I loved the doors into the exhibition. ( see collage) Also a wonderful portrait photograph ( see collage)
From the park gates  you can see the 250 ft high Listers Mill chimney.
As you come down the hill into Bradford it dominates the skyline.
( see collage)

The art gallery was built with money given to Bradford Council by Samuel Cunliff Lister, but he named  it after Dr Edmund Cartwright, who invented the wool combing machine which was the source of Lister's wealth.

We then decided to walk back into town.
Not such a good idea as the town itself has seen better days.
Brought back memories as we passed the now almost derelict Mecca Ballroom where we spent many happy days before we were married back in the early 1960s.  Down Darley Street which is now like a ghost town. No M&S any more, and about 90% of the shops were empty.

Still we did enjoy the park and gallery, but I think we will give the rest a miss unfortunately.