Saltaire Day Trip: my guide to the top 3 things to visit

Saltaire is a small town dominated by its industrial heritage which now serves as a beautiful backdrop to cultural spaces.  Saltaire is very easy to get to by train with tickets from Leeds costing only a few pounds and my top 3 things to do in Saltaire are either free or under £5.  It therefore makes for a cheap but enormously rewarding and interesting day out – one which I have basked in for a long time.  I highly recommend it. 

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Why Saltaire is great for a day out

A small town that packs a punch, Saltaire grew up around Salts Mill, a woollen mill established in the 1850’s. It is now a destination for good reason and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site to boot. The river and canal that would have helped power the Mill are beautiful places to walk or take a short narrow boat trip. There is a spectacular park perfect for picnics sat next to the river whilst watching a game of cricket. The main reason for a visit is Salts Mill, still dominating the small town to this day but now home to the 1853 Gallery, a super gallery of artworks by David Hockney.

How to get to Saltaire

By Train: From York/Leeds take the train to Saltaire. It's a direct 15 minute journey. Occasionally you need to change at Shipley. Trains from York take an hour and you will have to change at Leeds.

By Car: It’s a 40 minute drive from Leeds to Saltaire.  Salts Mill has free parking.

Top 3 things to do in Saltaire

Visit Salts Mill which still dominates the small town to this day. Salts Mill is now home to an unpretentious, light and airy gallery housing a large collection of artworks by David Hockney who was born locally in Bradford. The 1853 Gallery occupies the wide open space of one floor of the old Mill, with light pouring in through the large windows. You can wander between tables and cosy seating areas whilst admiring the works of art. Upstairs is a beautiful and large bookshop and an accessibly priced, modern designer homewares shop which are equally calm and beautifully curated places to wander.  There’s a diner and café to quench your thirst.

Take a 30 minute trip in a narrow boat along the Leeds and Liverpool canal leaving from the canal bridge next to the Mill.  Soak up the peace and tranquillity of this quiet space, a world away from its important industrial past.  Tickets are very reasonably priced at £5 at the point of writing.

Take a walk along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal – this 3 mile walk along the canal towpath stretches from Bingley Five Rise Locks to Saltaire. 

Top Tips:

1. The entrance to Salts Mill is not obvious – trust your instincts and follow the small sign through a heavy door!
2. Check the directions to Salts Mill on their website as the post code can confuse sat navs!
3. If it’s nice weather bring a picnic to eat in the park, across the river from Salts Mill.

How to extend your stay near Saltaire

1. Travel onward from Saltaire by 30 mins by car or train and you’ll find Skipton, a characterful Yorkshire market town with an iconic castle and friendly town centre full of independent shops and plenty of places to grab a bite to eat. 

 Explore a different part of the Leeds and Liverpool canal on this 1-Hour Canal Cruise in Skipton.

Where to stay in Skipton?  Herriots Hotel is central to Skipton’s charms.

2. Consider an extra day or two to move a few further stops along the railway line to Settle and spend the day on a return train trip on the iconic Settle to Carlisle line. This famous railway route winds through limestone valleys, sheep-dotted hills, crosses the famous Ribblehead Viaduct and passes through England’s highest railway station, Dent. The Settle to Carlisle route features as number one in my 12 best scenic rail journeys in the UK. Settle is about an hour from Saltaire or 30 minutes from Skipton by either train or car. 

Where to stay in Settle?  Falcon Manor is a boutique B&B with period charm.