A nature reserve managed by Bradford Council has been highlighted in a ‘seven wonders of the world’ list for 2026.
Featured in luxury travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller, the Bradford Pennine Gateway National Nature Reserve is the sole UK destination to appear in the roundup.
The reserve in West Yorkshire was launched last year and is one of the King’s Series of National Nature Reserves.
It links eight council-owned sites: Ilkley Moor, Penistone Country Park, Shipley Glen, Baildon Moor, Trench Meadows, St Ives Estate, Harden Moor and Bingley North Bog.
Of the 1,272 hectares, 90% consist of UK priority habitats, with 42% of the reserve being newly protected.
Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council's Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Transport and Planning, said the council is ‘delighted to be included in such a prestigious list of locations around the world’.
He said: ‘We’ve been welcoming people from across the world during our year as 2025 UK City of Culture and the Bradford Pennine Gateway has been a huge part of that attraction, hosting Wild Uplands, a major outdoor exhibition across Penistone Hill.
‘We’re looking forward to welcoming more people across the district in 2026 and building on our National Nature Reserve designation and the legacy of UK City of Culture.’
Paul Duncan, Deputy Director for Natural England in Yorkshire, added: ‘By providing accessible nature near to urban areas, we are fostering a deeper connection between communities and nature, promoting wellbeing and supporting biodiversity recovery.’
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