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Saltaire - the model village

West Yorkshire Walk

County/Area - West Yorkshire - Bradford

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 1.5 miles / 2.4 km    Ascent - 130 feet / 39 metres

Time - 0 hours 50 minutes    Grade - easy

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Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Saltaire - the model village
Click image to visit gallery of 12 images.

This interesting walk investigates the Model Village built by Titus Salt during the 19th century for his workforce employed at Salts Mill. In addition the walk also enables you to visit the Mill, which today houses some excellent retailing and a collection of work by local artist of world renown, David Hockney.

The start of the walk is the Yorkshire Metro railway station at Saltaire on Victoria Road (Grid ref. SE138380). Parking is available at Salts Mill, which is signed from all major roads in the area. With your back to the station entrance, turn right along Victoria Road and then go first right into Albert Terrace. Paved with stone setts, this narrow street offers a view on your left into the back yards of the houses. Turn left into William Henry Street. The three storey houses on the corners were originally boarding houses. At the next junction, turn right into Caroline Street. The open space passed on your right was originally the washhouse and bathhouse but after lack of use it was demolished in the late 19th century.

At the end of Caroline Street, turn left into Albert Road. The houses on your left with gardens were for senior managers, school teachers and the minister. Turn next left into Titus Street. Number 37 was once a shop, one of about 40 that served the village. Turn right into Upper Mary Street and walk as far as the junction with Saltaire Road. Just before the main road, the houses on your left in Daisy Place were for the mill overlookers.

Turn right up Saltaire Road to the junction with Albert Road. The large house (Number 1 Albert Road) was the home of the chief cashier. Cross the road using the crossing and then walk left into Bingley Road. Take the third road on your left, Victoria Road, and walk past the almshouses on your left. Just before reaching Saltaire Road, the former Salts Hospital is on your right.

Use the crossing over Saltaire Road and walk left and then right down the side of Saltaire Methodist Church. At the bottom turn left along Titus Street to view number 47 with its watchtower. This was reputedly used to keep an eye on the activities of the villagers! Retrace your steps along Titus Street as far as Victoria Road. Turn left passing the school on your left and the Saltaire Institute on your right. A short diversion along Lockwood Street to Exhibition Road will lead you to the former Science and Arts School now used by Shipley College.

Walk north on Exhibition Road, left into Caroline Street and right into Victoria Road to pass the shops. Continue past the station, to pass the former Dining Room on your left together with the imposing Congregational Church. On your right is Salts Mill, which can be visited daily (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Years Day). A short distance further on you cross the Leeds and Liverpool Canal before reaching the footbridge over the River Aire that leads into Roberts Park. After enjoying this pleasant green space, return to the start.

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