The first stop was the village of Saltaire. Saltaire is a Victorian model village built by mill owner Titus Salt. Salt moved his factories out of the nearby industrial city of Bradford, he wanted a healthier life for his employees and built a huge new factory, homes, schools and other facilities for the people that moved there. The village is now a UNESCO world heritage site. The name of the village is a combination of the founder's surname and the name of the river
The size and scale of the factory is immense.
The river passing by, which provided the large quantities of clean water needed in the textile trade.
Along side the mill runs the picturesque Leeds and Liverpool Canal, the mill also had a rail connection, giving it easy access to markets.
Victoria Hall, (originally the Saltaire Institute)
Saltaire Church, where Titus Salt is interned in a mausoleum
The Mill today has become home to many local businesses as well as a gallery and tea rooms. Its amazing to think that not that many years ago it was proposed to demolish this fabulous building.
On the Sunday we took a trip over to Harrogate, a spa town that Mark and I had wanted to visit for some time.
Harrogate has a very traditional feel, stone built buildings and with its history of a spa town has attracted visitors since the 17th century as people came for the health benefits of the spa waters.
As always when we visit somewhere new we look for local gardens. We hadn't planned in a visit to nearby RHS Harlow Carr on this trip but in the center of Harrogate are the Valley Gardens.
Lysichiton americanus, skunk cabbage making an appearance
Love the old wisteria trunk
As well as the spa waters, Harrogate is famous for Bettys Tea rooms, so we just had to pop in for afternoon tea!
Cheers!
