Saltaire is an extraordinary place and slice of history that, in 2026, marks 25 years as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a place my family loves, and somewhere I always suggest to visitors. The fetching, honey-stone Victorian model village in West Yorkshire has a rich, layered history, fantastic art and culture and some super independents. The village itself was created in 1851, and its centrepiece, the mighty Salts Mill in 1853 – its formidable structure dominates the landscape on arrival.
A brief history lesson: Saltaire was named after founder, magnate and philanthropist, Sir Titus Salt, and the River Aire. With its pretty, Italianate design, the cute little village was built to provide housing for the textile mill workers, and it’s a niche spot, perfect for a weekend mooch around. Another bonus is that it is so easy to reach by train; you literally step off the train – it’s only 15 minutes from Leeds – and you’ll see rows of petite houses lining streets named after Titus’ family members, including his wife and eleven children.
Salts Mill is the centrepiece, though, without a doubt. The massive former mill is now a gorgeous art gallery and creative space with an excellent restaurant and café – showcasing one of the world’s largest collections of David Hockney’s work in his former home region. It’s a spectacular, statement building with far-reaching views of the surrounding hills.
I would recommend visiting Saltaire as part of a longer Yorkshire trip – Haworth and the wild moors of Brontë country are close by, à la Wuthering Heights, a little further is the Yorkshire Dales National Park, where the majority of the exterior shots were taken for the film: beautiful Swaledale is one of my favourites. For a city base, I’d choose Leeds or York. Read on for my picks in Saltaire.
The best things to do in Saltaire
