Saltaire takes its name from its founder, Sir Titus Salt (1803-1876), and the River Aire, which runs through the village. Salt made his fortune in the Bradford textile industry, manufacturing fine woollen fabrics. Determined to escape the polluted and overcrowded town centre for greener pastures, he made a bold decision to relocate his business and his employees. Local architects, Henry Lockwood and Richard Mawson, were employed to plan a new community where Salt’s workforce would be healthier, happier and more productive. Work began in 1851 and continued until 1876. Salts Mill, a vast and ultra-efficient textile factory, was the first building to be complete in 1853. Lockwood and Mawson designed the entire village in a classical style, inspired by the Italian Renaissance. Their finest work was the Saltaire Congregational Church (now the United Reformed Church), set in a spacious landscaped garden. Its ornamental bell-tower can be seen in views throughout the village. Once complete, the village comprised of over 800 high quality homes, two churches, a school, adult education institute, park, hospital, baths and wash house and almshouses for the elderly. Saltaire was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001. It was recognised for its international influence on town planning. It was also considered to be an outstanding example of a mid-nineteenth century model town that demonstrates the social and economic impact of the textile industry.Saltaire takes its name from its founder, Sir Titus Salt (1803-1876), and the River Aire, which runs through the village. Salt made his fortune in the Bradford textile industry, manufacturing fine woollen fabrics. Determined to escape the polluted and overcrowded town centre for greener pastures, he made a bold decision to relocate his business and his employees. Local architects, Henry Lockwood and Richard Mawson, were employed to plan a new community where Salt’s workforce would be healthier, happier and more productive. Work began in 1851 and continued until 1876. Salts Mill, a vast and ultra-efficient textile factory, was the first building to be complete in 1853. Lockwood and Mawson designed the entire village in a classical style, inspired by the Italian Renaissance. Their finest work was the Saltaire Congregational Church (now the United Reformed Church), set in a spacious landscaped garden. Its ornamental bell-tower can be seen in views throughout the village. Once complete, the village comprised of over 800 high quality homes, two churches, a school, adult education institute, park, hospital, baths and wash house and almshouses for the elderly. Saltaire was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001. It was recognised for its international influence on town planning. It was also considered to be an outstanding example of a mid-nineteenth century model town that demonstrates the social and economic impact of the textile industry.Saltaire takes its name from its founder, Sir Titus Salt (1803-1876), and the River Aire, which runs through the village. Salt made his fortune in the Bradford textile industry, manufacturing fine woollen fabrics. Determined to escape the polluted and overcrowded town centre for greener pastures, he made a bold decision to relocate his business and his employees. Local architects, Henry Lockwood and Richard Mawson, were employed to plan a new community where Salt’s workforce would be healthier, happier and more productive. Work began in 1851 and continued until 1876. Salts Mill, a vast and ultra-efficient textile factory, was the first building to be complete in 1853. Lockwood and Mawson designed the entire village in a classical style, inspired by the Italian Renaissance. Their finest work was the Saltaire Congregational Church (now the United Reformed Church), set in a spacious landscaped garden. Its ornamental bell-tower can be seen in views throughout the village. Once complete, the village comprised of over 800 high quality homes, two churches, a school, adult education institute, park, hospital, baths and wash house and almshouses for the elderly. Saltaire was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001. It was recognised for its international influence on town planning. It was also considered to be an outstanding example of a mid-nineteenth century model town that demonstrates the social and economic impact of the textile industry.