Saturday, March 15, 2025

PASSING THROUGH THE LAND OF TITUS

Just to the west of Saltaire is the industrial village of Saltaire. Titus Salt was a Bradford mill owner, He decided to diversify from using sheep's wool to using that of alpaca, which required really clean water. The Bradford Beck was unsuitable for that so he built his new model village and mill just upstream alongside the River Aire and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. So, Saltaire was built with all the modern facilities needed by his workers (but no pubs!).

Here's Salt's Mill beside the River Aire (Creative Commons License).



The Leeds & Liverpool Canal passes between the mill buildings.


Ice cream anyone?
Saltaire has become a tourist attraction today.

The Midland Railway opened a station to serve Saltaire.


After a period of closure under BR, Saltaire station reopened and is served by Skipton line electric trains


Bradford's trams also served Saltaire. Here's no. 222 by Gordon Terrace.


Trolleybuses later replaced the trams.


Bradford Corporation built a depot in Saltaire. Originally constructed for trams, it was later converted to house trolleybuses and this cut down AEC.


Saltaire depot survived into the motorbus and PTE era.


The old depot has now become a pub!


Sir Titus would turn in his grave if he knew there are now other pubs in his model village. First up is Fanny's Alehouse


There's also the Victoria, though it's now become the Salt Cellar.


And now, a micropub has opened, the Cap & Collar.



To the west of Saltaire, beside the canal, is the Dowley Gap, a local beauty spot.


We'll follow the Leeds & Liverpool towards Bingley and Dubb Bridge.


Bingley famous canal are the two sets of staircase locks. Here's the Three-Rise in 1996.


And next comes the Five-Rise in the early 20th Century.


We'll take a good look at the town of Bingley in the next post.

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PASSING THROUGH THE LAND OF TITUS

Just to the west of Saltaire is the industrial village of Saltaire. Titus Salt was a Bradford mill owner, He decided to diversify from using...