The Brontë Birthplace, 72 – 74 Market Street, Thornton, Bradford, BD13 3HF
Current arts related exhibitions
There are two galleries in Thornton devoted to all forms of art, South Square which is run by a registered charity, the Thornton and Allerton Community Association, plus Fountain Street Arts Project.
All links to further details, or other websites are in green, and normally underlined.
Previews / Openings, and the first and last days of all exhibitions will also be shown in the Diary of Events. Details of the exhibitions are shown on this page.
Please report any errors or omissions to aaboutthornton@gmail.com or you can comment on the associated Facebook page.
Fountain Street Project
Current summer Exhibition
2 Fountain Street, Thornton, BD13 3EW
Ring o’ Bells
South Square
Following a period of dereliction, in 1982, Thornton and Allerton Community Association Ltd was formed and pioneered the building’s restoration in partnership with Bradford Metropolitan District Council, the West Yorkshire Metropolitan County Council, and the Manpower Services Commission. The terraced housing was transformed by knocking through the cottages to form bigger rooms for galleries and community spaces. The centre opened in 1982 as South Square Centre, and was formally opened in 1984 by the Lord Mayor, Olive Messer.
South Square is based within a Grade II listed building originally built as a courtyard of workers’ cottages in 1832 in Thornton,
South Square has a Facebook page. Included in the Square are artists’ studios and workshops, Thornton Antiquarian Society’s Archive, a vegetarian and vegan cafe called Plenty at the Square, and a small public house, The Watchmaker, named after Harry Naylor, watchmaker, who had his workshop where the public house is. He served as an Armourer during the 1st World War, serving in France until 25 March 1919, and died in 1920, his death 100% attributable to his war service His details are shown in the WW1 biographies here.
South Square Exhibitions
Opening hours of South Square galleries: Tues – Sat 10.30am – 3pm, Sun 12pm – 3pm, Mondays closed.
5 to 30 September Patterns & People – Exhibition by Kate Stewart Drawings, paintings and fabric pieces, by artist Kate Stewart
5 September to 1st November Here, Somehow, by Jenny BrattHere, Somehow is the first solo show by Jenny Bratt, the winner of the Joan Day Bursary Award.
26 September 10.30pm to 12.30pm Fused glass suncatcher workshop – Jade TapsonCreate fused glass suncatchers with glass artist and South Square studio holder Jade Tapson £32 pp At Unit 4
26 September, 12noon to 2pm. Free drop-in to meet Jenny Bratt, the artist
3 October to 1st November Ephemeral – Exhibition by Steve Rayner Digital and film photography and print exhibition
27 October 10.30am to 1.30pm Family Craft Drop-In – Vespertine Garden Join us in creating our immersive exhibition, Vespertine Garden! FREE Drop-in, but you are encouraged to book your place here. a guardian / adult should be with the children at all times. see image below
6 November 4pm to 9pm Launch night for the Vespertine Garden: The exhibition will launch on Friday 6 November, and everyone is welcome to join us for opening night. To make sure everyone can enjoy the installation comfortably, we have timed slots available to book. This is for entry into the main gallery and exhibition space, but we have plenty of other communal spaces, cafe and bar that will be open outside of your slotted time.
7 November to 28 February 2027 Vespertine Garden An ambitious new immersive installation exploring the hidden worlds of urban wildlife. Vespertine Garden is an ambitious new immersive installation exploring the hidden worlds of urban wildlife and the urgent need to protect the ecosystems we share. Blending artistic innovation, environmental education and local collaboration, Vespertine Garden celebrates the power of art to inspire curiosity, empathy and meaningful change. It offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with the wildlife around us and imagine new ways of caring for the ecosystems on our doorstep.
At Plenty at the Square (opening hours Tuesday to Sunday, 9.30am – 3.30pm)
11 September to 1st November Mutations in Bloom and Ruff, by Patti Smith
Come to the cafe and see the new exhibition of ceramic work by Patti Smith
9 October 6.30pm to 9.30pm The Art of Eating: Patti Smith exhibition, art talk & 4-course dinner. The cost of the evening is £55 per person. This covers your 4 course meal and one free cocktails (alcoholic and non alcoholic options), Any additional drinks will be paid to the cafe directly. The meal is vegan and vegetarian. A non-refundable deposit of £10 per person paid directly to Plenty at the Square is required to confirm your booking, and the remaining £45 will be taken on the night on arrival. The deposit is £11.55 if paid via eventbrite.
Normal opening hours of The Watchmaker: Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4pm to 9pm, Fridays from 4pm to 10pm, Saturdays from 3pm to 10pm, and Sundays from 3pm to 8pm
(last updated 7 February 2026)
All About Thornton 