Today was a beautiful early autumn day so we headed off to North Yorkshire. Our main target was the model village of Saltaire, a UNESCO World Heritage site, but we stopped off briefly at Bolton Abbey on the way.
We've enthused about Salts Mill before but in today's weather we added a tour of some of the best preserved Victorian buildings provided to his community by Sir Titus Salt.
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The remains of Bolton Abbey |
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Saltaire's United Reform (originally Congregational) Church, opened in 1859 |
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The Italianate portico |
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The bell tower topped by a fine cupola |
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Detail of columns supporting the portico |
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The surprisingly ornate interior |
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One of the two massive chandeliers |
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The hollow columns around the church have a 'Scagliola' finish
- a paint effect to simulate marble |
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The flower theme is throughout the church, here on the decorated ceiling... |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCBOctXTOwFzaJe_ggTx4VWMTAZ34xkbz3qVJIaID8Q927AmqPxQB2Of-ZgdcOOR76eeO4W5PDDDRnYo6IVgfjnFXWag8zfszD2iWWnA0O1oK8-fNcVIBsbQ8CgrilKslspiTyemo5lc/s640/DSC_0077.JPG) |
... and even on the pews |
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The chandeliers were originally lit by gas, and now electrified |
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In the vestibule is a bust of a young Titus Salt, with alpacas around the base -
weaving with alpaca wool was an important part of Titus's commercial success |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimakkuE7hrel0Of5RfGxXGep9mR6zmGUcNGe_5FbRFfuKpFUxO_vEObGUzK0sbI_nCtfceCI4HVOx2Q_DpTOOnz1JGcHOBZsq_AkhcqCtSP4RqD6xLcGHi5YsvtYAYIRyrJCb9O0yIR_g/s640/DSC_0083.JPG) |
Across the river in Roberts Park is the former pavillion (now Half Moon Café)
with a statue of Titus on the flat roof |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZPUvNPV_mB0G4ci3n8Gmt8OrOU3GBs5241isxNkJ7Jm4gyGihXPrwkiQkl9Tq4hPU8uq5Q1tiIM160by6l_rTNzP1po_ti8-ka6NnRnmzqEgWU9lwhf5CjodkACVi9q1iZU1TTseuSc/s640/Pavillion+roof.jpg) |
We didn't cross the river but here is a closeup of the statue on a more cloudy day
The church can be seen in the background |
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Single storey almshouses built round a garden area |
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Two storey almshouses opposite |
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Unusual feature added to roof to mark the opening in 1863 |
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Victoria Hall, a place for 'recreation, culture and learning'
- today there was a wedding so we couldn't go in |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU21fz3q8vKQUmLd7q3MTJCKLlphcbGoUFhHyUpEnO_WayHdWjhS6540Cd4o5OyY_gx0eZK9eJ7mCLszPkzCINwrNn15addRbY78Pewl-czvOxK0GSfeLV_QmZn1KNnwfyCdRtoMvfo_0/s640/Victoria+Hall.jpg) |
Here's what we missed; there are five large rooms, all equally ornmate |
We left Saltaire at about 5pm and drove home into the late, low Sun. Our return journey took us north-west, joining the A65 and following the western edge of the Yorkshire Dales: Skipton, Long Preston, Settle, Ingleton; then turning left to cross the moors, following the River Greta through Burton-in-Lonsdale, Melling, Hornby, Caton; then left across more moors to home, arriving just as the Sun was setting.
A perfect end to a perfect day.