Saltaire: An Industrial Village

Saltaire, a World Heritage site, is a complete and well-preserved industrial village of the second half of the 19th century. It is named after Sir Titus Salt, who built the huge textile mill and village on the Aire River. It was designed to house the mill workers in a healthier climate than in the polluted and unsanitary conditions of the city.

Saltaire's harmonious buildings are all Italianate in design, each home having a water supply and sanitary facilities. The village was self-sufficient with shops, churches, and almshouses for the elderly. The big park along the river was to encourage healthy activities, now that workers had Saturday afternoons and Sundays off. There were no pubs.

Due to the success of this village, other industrial villages around England were built following this pattern.

Salt's Mill now houses artist studios, shops, and restaurants.Read more