Opened in 1853, it once employed around 3000 people most of whom lived in the ‘model village’ surrounding the mill.

Nowadays, of course, it’s not textiles but tourists and technology that mean the mill remains a focus for the surrounding community and one of the main tourist attractions of the Bradford district.

Salts Mill

The mill itself is a truly grand affair, with its huge chimney and (literally) hundreds of windows looking out onto the town below. Even from a distance, Salts looks imposing but as the visitor gets closer, the whole building just becomes more and more impressive. It is really a monument to the role that the textile industry used to play in the economic life of the whole of the Bradford district…

And, though its role was heavy industry and its position is on the outskirts of Bradford, it certainly has STYLE! It looks more like an Italian palace on a huge scale than a mill...and it's all the better for it.

After falling into near-dereliction by the mid-1980s, Salts Mill was given a much-needed new lease of life thanks to the efforts of the late Jonathon Silver who began the site’s transformation into something fit for the 21st century.

Salts Mill

Nowadays, it is home to a number of major high-tech electronics companies (West Yorkshire’s very own silicon valley, perhaps?), and - perhaps of more interest to the casual visitor or tourist - the prestigious "1853 Gallery".

This is a permanent exhibition of works by the world-renowned and Bradford-born artist David Hockney and covers two floors.

The Gallery itself (which is free of charge) is certainly a case of ‘local lad makes good’, celebrating Hockney’s life and his art with many and varied pictures, collages, even faxes! (144 sheets all pasted straight onto the wall as it arrived from Los Angeles!)

Then, of course, there are the full-size opera sets designed by Hockney and which have previously been on show around the world. All of these works are brilliantly exhibited and their setting in the long mill galleries really sets them off well while at the same time serving as a reminder of the humble beginnings of this extraordinary Bradford artist.

David Hockney

But the Hockney galleries are only a start, and it really is a good idea to put aside at least a couple of hours to make sure you get the most from Salts Mill and all it has to offer.

The 'arty' theme continues in the ground floor gallery of the Mill.

Surrounded by more of Hockney’s works, there is a huge shop selling books and posters. With cool classical music playing softly in the background, and the pleasant scent of the lilies dotted all around the place, you can enjoy browsing through a huge selection of books and posters. The books range from art encyclopaedias to the classics, from the latest trendy novels to gay and lesbian fiction. And, there are literally hundreds of pictures, prints and postcards to choose from with a particular focus on the 20th century and works that are ‘just a little different’.

Once you’ve had enough of art and literature at Salts Mill (surely not!), you can then drag yourself upstairs to "The Home".

This is billed as an ’exclusive shopping area’, selling trendy goods for the home. But before you consider buying most of the goods on offer here you might have to arrange a meeting with your bank manager: the prices for these designer goodies are often on the high side! However, even if you’re just looking, it’s great fun to see what’s on offer: from Italian designer kitchen wastebins to bathroom fixtures and fittings, and much more besides.

And, as if that wasn’t enough, there is also an excellent restaurant for the hungry shopper serving light snacks and bigger meals. Again, it isn’t cheap but the quality is good and mention has to be given to the view from the restaurant window over Saltaire and nearby Shipley is pretty good too!

All in all, if you come to Bradford and don’t visit Salt’s Mill at some point then it really has to be said that you will have missed a huge treat!