An Afternoon in Saltaire

Saltaire is another place close to home which although I’ve been to in the past, I haven’t really explored or appreciated before. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001, it’s a Victorian village built by the mill owner Sir Titus Salt in 1851 to house the workers of his wool mills when he moved them out of neighbouring Bradford.

It’s a warm and sunny afternoon, and with the flexibly to finish work a little early with still working from home, I make the short trip from Leeds through Bradford and Shipley and park at what I think is the carpark for Salts Mill.

The mill itself is still closed due to the coronavirus pandemic so I cannot go inside, but on such a lovely day the plan is to just have a look around outside and then enjoy the afternoon in the village and the park.

Turns out though that I must have taken a wrong turning, as although I seem to be inside the grounds of an old mill, it’s not Salts Mill as this is a residential complex. It’s very nicely done though… the modern apartments have been designed to compliment the old mill buildings well, and an old loom has been kept as a reminder of the site’s past.

After a few minutes wandering around it’s back to the car and a drive up to the village centre, this time finding the correct Salts Mill.

As said the mill is closed and so I just walk past, crossing the bridge to Roberts Park, only stopping to take a few photos of the mill on the edge of the wear, and a heron trying to get some lunch (excuse the bad photo quality… I didn’t have my camera with me and so had to rely on the digital zoom of my phone).

Getting an ice cream on the way, spending the afternoon walking around and relaxing in Roberts Park is the perfect way to spend the summer’s afternoon. The park is beautiful, nestled on the side of the river with view of the mill, lots of open green space to sit and relax, and short pathways to explore the landmarks and architecture.

Last sight of the day is the United Reformed Church on the way back to the car, weaving my way through the rows of terraced houses which the mill workers lived in when the village was built.

A short and sweet afternoon (and blog), but a place definitely worth visiting if you’re in the West Yorkshire area.