Boat Sculpture

Explorer Tom Saltaire Mills - North Block (New Mill) and chimney in Bradford is puffing up its chest. Grade II listed industrial beauty. No public access though. Grab a shot of the chimney stack for the album!

Explorer Tom The Peace Museum is trying very hard to look calm, but I suspect it's secretly plotting world domination through quietness. Take a picture of that zen vibe.

Explorer Tom Salts Mill stands over Saltaire like a grand Italian palace that has somehow remembered it is supposed to be a wool factory, and Tom says the chimney still gives the village orders. It does no such thing. The mill now fills its immense rooms with art, books, food and a story built into the streets outside. Titus Salt opened the mill in 1853 beside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and the railway. Architects Henry Lockwood and Richard Mawson gave it an Italianate look; engineer William Fairbairn shaped much of the working interior. Salt then built a planned village for the workers, so the mill is the centre of a larger place. Textile production ended in the 1980s. Today the 1853 Gallery shows work by David Hockney, while People and Process tells how the mill operated. Picture machinery filling those broad rooms. Tom's chimney has lost its imaginary authority, but the building still commands attention. The mill welcomes visitors to galleries, shops and food, with free general entry. Rooms and businesses can keep different hours, so check the mill's current page before travelling, especially on holidays. Some parts are workplaces rather than visitor areas. Cross into Saltaire as well: its streets, church and canal setting explain why the whole village matters. Saltaire railway station is close to the mill. Art displays change, so go for the building and its story as much as for a particular picture. Keep to marked public areas. Tom has finally stopped trying to interview the chimney. Walk into the mill, then step outside and let the village complete the story.

Explorer Tom Shipley College has railings and railway steps, which sounds like a lot of metal to trip over. It’s listed, so it’s important for some reason I can’t quite figure out. Watch your step on those stairs!

Explorer Tom Walker Wood in Bradford has an edge you can see! I bet Walker was a keen hiker who stopped halfway. Follow the edge and see where it leads.

Explorer Tom Saltaire World Heritage Site in Bradford is fancy and official, probably full of posh people pretending to understand industrial history while eating expensive sandwiches. Wave at them.

Explorer Tom Fairbank Wood in Bradford is sitting quietly in Baildon, pretending it’s not there. It’s probably full of secrets about who owns it and when you can enter. Whisper your name!

Explorer Tom War Memorial in Bradford sits in Crowgill Park looking very dignified. It probably thinks it’s famous, but I’ve seen busier pigeons. Snap a pic before it gets bored!

Explorer Tom Cup marked rock 60m south west of the War Memorial at Crowgill Park is right near the memorial. Sixty meters! That’s close. Go check it out while you’re paying respects to the park, eh?

Explorer Tom Hirst Lock in Bradford controls the water like a strict teacher. It decides when things flow and when they stop. Try not to get stuck behind the gate for too long.

Explorer Tom Shipley Clock Tower in Bradford is keeping time for everyone. It’s a real landmark! Go take a picture of the hands, I bet they’re pointing to lunchtime right about now.

Explorer Tom Shipley Central Park: Its Creation and Development in Bradford is where the park learned how to grow up. It's got a whole backstory about being built from scratch, which is impressive for a place full of grass. Take a picture to prove you were there when it was young!