Pollen Count in Bradford Today

Bradford, the birthplace of the Brontë sisters, started as a sleeping market town at the dawn of the nineteenth century but the population soon exploded after the mass immigration of Irish workers and Jewish merchants during the Industrial Revolution. Now the city is the 4th largest metropolitan area in England and managed to gain city status in 1897.

Hayfever is possibly a pressing problem in this region as Bradford is entirely landlocked and the city centre is not even situated near a river or another body of water. Instead much of the area is surrounded by countryside, with the Pennine Hills featuring as a spectacular backdrop, meaning that the district is likely saturated with grass, tree and weed pollen during the summer months.

Bradford encompasses a wide region of land, including the surrounding towns and villages littered nearby the city. It would be impossible to address all the potential pollen allergens, simply because of how many there are but the usual suspects tend to be oak, beech and birch which might be considered good news if you plan on visiting the area later on in the year.

Birch and beech trees normally pollinate during spring, from around April through to May and early June, meaning that their pollen production should be slowing down coming into July. Oak trees pollinate slightly earlier, peaking around April before dying down towards the later summer months. Unfortunately most grass pollens will still be dispersing in July, making them a prime offender during this month.

Bradford is particularly lethal when it comes to the dispersal of wind pollinated plants. The city is nestled in a landlocked location and bordered by miles of countryside, from the Dales to the roots of the Pennines.

There is no circulation of sea air to provide any relief and the villages and towns dotted around the region are surrounded by acres of fields and woodland. This can make the city a nightmare for hayfever sufferers, however there are some hotspots that are especially notorious and worth avoiding.

• Roberts Park: Roberts Park was opened to the public in 1871 and was designed by William Gay, a famous landscape artist whose other projects included Bradford’s Undercliffe. The park is now a designated World Heritage Site and contains a variety of amusements, including a BMX skate park, and cricket grounds. The pollen’s to watch out for here are largely grass and tree, as both grow in abundance at this park, making it worthwhile to give the picturesque scenery a pass
• Lister Park: This attraction used to be owned by the Lister family but was donated to the public in 1870. Now it houses the Cartwright Hall Art Gallery as well as various sporting facilities like tennis and basketball courts. A Mughal Water Garden was also added to the park, enhancing its appeal. However, this park is not for the pollen sensitive as it is rife with tree pollen allergens such as beech, oak, ash, lime, elm and birch
• St Ives Estate: A 500 acre country park, the St Ives Estate was opened to the public in 1929, and now contains an impressive Adventure Playground for children alongside archery facilities, and a large pond. The tree species that flourish best here are sycamore, oak, larch, beech and birch. There is also a problematic population of weed pollen, with stinging nettles proving to be a popular food source amongst the butterflies that inhabit the park.
• Bolling Hall: A former manor house for the gentry, Bolling Hall now functions as a museum and is located about a mile away from the bustling city centre. Reputedly haunted, the grounds of the estate were transformed into a public park known as Bowling Park, which contains an assortment of children’s play areas, sporting facilities and cycle paths. Grass and tree pollens are the prime suspects here, making it a risky place to linger if you suffer from hayfever
• Bradford City Park: Located in the heart of Bradford’s city centre, and famous for its dazzling mirror pool, Bradford City Park sees a high volume of visitors on a daily basis, being a popular place to take children during an afternoon shopping spree. The famous mirror pool puts on a delightful display during the day but the best time to visit is probably a dusk when the fountain is illuminated by a light show. Although not as pollen- populous as other places on this list, the park is still enclosed by trees and dotted with patches of greenery, making it a no-go for sufferers of pollen allergies.

After perusing the above list, you might be feeling more than a bit disappointed. It can be disheartening to feel excluded from so many enjoyable attractions; however, you should not be too discouraged.

Bradford is a diverse city with an enormous range of activities, catering to a wide variety of people. There is bound to be something in the city that appeals to you and will not irritate your allergies.

• Alhambra Theatre: Named for the famous Alhambra Palace in Spain, the Alhambra Theatre was established in 1914 and is now one of the premier attractions that city has to offer. Structurally impressive, with its Corinthian columns, the theatre looks as though it could have been plucked out of Granada and hosts a variety of entertainments on a daily basis. These performances can range from musicals like ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ to ballet productions and comedy shows, guaranteeing that the theatre will fulfil the needs a wide array of audiences, all with different tastes and predispositions
• The National Media Museum: A museum devoted to all forms of media, from photography to television, this attraction is an ideal day out for all the family, with a range of educational and insightful exhibitions as well as an IMAX theatre, the first of its kind to open in the UK. Ticket prices may vary depending on what you wish to see but in this indoor environment, it is unlikely that you will be paying the price for your seasonal allergies
• Little Germany: Little Germany is a district in Bradford city that was initially populated by Jewish traders who had migrated from Germany during the nineteenth century. It still retails much of its original Victorian architecture, making it visually appealing to the eye, but it is now also home to a fantastic range of cafés, hotels and boutiques
• Bradford Cathedral: Bradford Cathedral sits on an ancient place of Christian worship, although the building itself was not constructed until the fifteenth century. Inside is a stunning display of stained glass and fluted pillars, interwoven with religious iconography and antique depictions. Whether you happen to be a history buff, or a purveyor of impressive architecture, this cultural landmark is a must-see for you
• Bronte Parsonage Museum: We couldn’t discuss Bradford without paying homage to three of its most famous occupants. The Brontë sisters changed the world of literature forever, penning such classics as Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and Agnes Grey. All three sisters lived at their father’s parsonage in Haworth, near Bradford and even started their writing careers within those walls. The parsonage now houses a museum dedicated to their lives, with a library that holds manuscripts of all their works, even the earlier editions and their personal letters. Even if you just have a passing idea of who these women were, this museum is definitely worth a look.

If you find that your hayfever symptoms are starting to worsen, you can always try our herbal hayfever remedies. Pollinosan Hayfever Tablets and Luffa Nasal Spray are stocked in a variety of high street stores like Holland and Barrett.

If you live near Shipley, the Shipley Health Store stocks a range of A.Vogel products and is located just a short walk away from Crowgill Park on Westgate. Rainbow Healthfoods in Clackheaton are another stockist that promotes our remedies as well as the nearby Margaret Hills Healthfoods on Valley road.

Looking for relief of red and itchy eyes due to hayfever?

A.Vogel Pollinosan Hayfever Eye Drops contain hyaluronic acid (from vegetable source) and can be used for quick relief of red and itchy eyes due to hayfever. Suitable for contact lense users.

To find local independent stores in your area that sell A.Vogel Pollinosan Hayfever Eye drops, simply type your postcode below.