The Victorian mill village of Saltaire was founded in 1851 by Sir Titus Salt, a leading industrialist in the Yorkshire woollen industry. Salt relocated his five factories from Bradford, into one, bespoke textile mill on land adjacent to the Leeds Liverpool Canal, and designed a village around it to house his workers (later named Saltaire, after its creator, and the river by which it stands). Picturesque stone cottages provided homes to Salt’s employees, and the village included facilities such as a school, park, hospital and church. This exceptional village is widely regarded as a prime example of its Victorian times and was given UNESCO World Heritage Site status in December 2001.
The festival programme covers two weekends and the week in between. The first weekend features the popular Open Gardens trail, giving visitors the opportunity to explore the village and its history through its current residents. Yards and gardens will host works by local sculptors, in association with Saltaire Inspired, and there will be pop-up and surprise events in homes around the village, with children’s and family activities in the village and Roberts Park. The festival concludes with food, drink and markets in Roberts Park, as well as free live music and entertainment on both days. Music is a key feature of the festival and, whatever your taste, there should be something of interest for you. Free and ticketed events take place over the course of the 10 days, offering a mix of styles and genres
