Salts Mill & the David Hockney 1853 Collection

Salts Mill & the Village of Saltaire
Day Trips in the Northwest of England & Yorkshire

Salts Mill is set in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Saltaire in the Aire Valley near Bradford in West Yorkshire. The Grade II Listed historic mill building was built in 1853 by Sir Titus Salt along with the village to house his workers. The mill now contains four comprehensive art galleries including the 1853 Gallery, which altogether feature over 400 works by David Hockney. Salts Mill is also home to a variety of shops and places to eat. The whole area is of architectural and historical interest.

Above: Sir Titus Salt. << Left: Salts Mills, Saltaire

Titus Salt (1803- 1876)
Titus Salt was the son of Daniel Salt, a woolstapler a fairly successful businessman in Morley near Leeds. With his father he had established important and profitable textile companies in Bradford. Titus took over the running of the company when his father retired and was to become the largest employer in Bradford. In 1848 Salt became Mayor of Bradford and in 1850 he announced his plans to build a new industrial community called Saltaire at a nearby beauty spot on the banks of the River Aire. Saltaire, which was three miles from Bradford, took twenty years to complete and eventually some 850 houses were built for his workers as well as a park, church, school, hospital, library and a whole range of different shops. Salt also installed public baths and wash-houses in the village, keen to avoid the filth and squalor that remained in Bradford. Active in politics, he supported the Chartists and helped establish the United Reform Society, an attempt to unite middle and working class reformers. On one hand radical and on the other he held conservative views. For example, he refused permission for his workers to join trade unions and employed young children in his factories, being totally opposed to the 1833 Factory Act that attempted to prevent children under the age of nine working in textile mills. He spent two years as a Member of Parliament and was knighted for his entrepreneurial and charitable works. Although he had been an extremely rich man, it has been estimated that during his life Titus Salt had given away all of his wealth, over £500,000 to good and charitable causes.

David Hockney & the 1853 Gallery

Bradford-born celebrated artist David Hockney, an important contributor to the British Pop art movement of the 1960s, is considered one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century. Over the years he has consolidated his position as the best known and most highly regarded British artist of his generation. As well as painting, Hockney has produced a range of work in lithography and in photographic collage and has also been outstanding as a graphic artist and stage designer.
The 1853 Gallery was named after the year in which the original Victorian Mill was originally opened. It hosts a permanent exhibition of works by Hockney. The gallery also keeps a vast range of Art, Craft & Design related books and artists materials. Telephone 01274 531 163 for more information.

What's at Salts Mill

BASEMENT

ZEBRA:
Zebra is a leading home furnishing brand with everything from unique designed handmade rugs, fabrics and furnishings. Traditional and contemporary handmade rugs in 100% pure wool as well as other fabrics including silk, voile, chenile, velvet, cotton and linen. Telephone 01274 598 894 for more information.

GROUND FLOOR

1853 GALLERY:
As well as the David Hockney collection, there is also a Burmantoft Pottery Exhibition, Books and Art materials. Telephone 01274 531 163 for more information.

SECOND FLOOR

SALTS BOOK & POSTER SHOP:
A vast and varied collection of books including a kiddies book section.

SALTS DINER:
"Excellent cuisine at affordable prices". Telephone: 01274 530 533.

KATH LIBBERT JEWELLERY:
In Salts Mill since 1996 and specialising in contemporary jewellery, silver and metalsmithing by renowned designers from Britain and abroad. See website at www.kathlibbertjewellery.co.uk or telephone 01274 599 790 for more information.

ALLAN AUSTIN:
Also incorporating Rohan, a specialist shop for hiking, climbing and travel clothing and equipment. Website: www.allanaustin.co.uk or telephone 01274 589 692.

GALLERY2:
Commissioned paintings on "The Textile Process" by henry Marvel Carr R.A. and Saltaire paintings and drawings by Simon Palmer - all to commemorate Salt and the settlement at Saltaire.

HISTORY OF SALTAIRE EXHIBITION:
History of the great mill and model village of 1853. Many fascinating personal treasures of the Salt family are exhibited here.

THE HOME:
Located just behind Salts Diner, The Home supplies the finest quality practical and essential items for kitchen and home as well as the outright luxurious, beautiful and bizarre. Telephone 01274 530 770 for more information.

THIRD FLOOR

CAFÉ OPERA:
Relax in this fish restaurant and enjoy attentive service from Wednesday to Sunday 10.00am-5.00pm and bank Holiday Mondays. Table Reservations Telephone 01274 531 163.

OPERA FLORIST:
A beautiful selection of fresh flowers, house plants, pots and vases. Silk flowers a speciality. Consult Shiela Barton on 07999 850 797.

HOCKNEY OPERA SETS:
Four of David Hockney's many celebrated designs for the opera on loan to the Mill, including Mozart's "The Magic Flute", 2 scenes from Stravinsky's "The Rakes Progress" as well as Stravinsky's "Le Rossignol".

SALTS MADE-TO-MEASURE:
Bespoke gentlemens' tailoring and accessories. Telephone 01274 531 167 for more information.

CARLTON ANTIQUES:
Malcolm Gray offers an array of 19th and early 20th century oil paintings, watercolours, furniture and objets d'art. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10.00am to 5.00pm. Telephone 01274 592 103 more more information.

OUTSIDE

ALL TERRAIN CYCLES:
Formerly known as Riley Brother Cycles, an independent family run business specialising in bicycles of all types. Open 7 days a week. Telephone 01274 588 488 for more information.

EARLY MUSIC SHOP:
Claiming to be the world's largest early musical instrument specialists, a large showroom brim full with mediaeval, renaissance and baroque instruments of all kinds, as well as sheet music, CDs and accessories. Telephone 01274 288 100 or visit the website at www.earlymusicshop.com.

General Information about Salts Mill

Address: Salts Mill, Shipley, Saltaire, West Yorkshire BD18 3LA.
Opening: Normally from 10.00am to 5.30pm Monday - Friday and to 6.00pm on Saturday and Sunday. Salts Diner last orders for food is at 4.30pm. Third Floor is closed Monday and Tuesday.
Christmas Eve and New Years Eve open until 4.00pm. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.
Entry & Parking: Free entry and parking. Parking is so,mewhat limited during weekdays.
Groups & School Parties: Please book in advance by telephone on 01274 531 163.
Photography: Allowed in most parts of the mill except in The Home and the Opera Sets.
Contacts: Website at www.saltsmill.org.uk. Email: post@saltsmill.org.uk.
General Telephone Enquiries: 01274 531 163. Fax: 01274 531 184.
Location: Saltaire is 4 miles north of Bradford, 15 minutes from the M606 and the motorway network. Follow the brown road signs from the motorway. The Saltaire train station is just across the road from the Mill. It takes 15 minutes to Leeds or Bradford. London to Leeds by train is a two and a half hour journey. The nearest airport is Leeds/Bradford airport - 5 miles away.
Disabled Parking & Access: come along Salts Mill Road, pass the ‘Visitors Parking’ sign and continue past the chimney when you will see the wooden ramp outside the new public entrance.