Victoria Road in Saltaire

Alpacas on the pediment of the Factory School

Walking down Victoria Road towards the centre of Saltaire, the almshouses on both sides of the street possess similar architectural details as seen at 51 Shipley Road but here the houses are both single and two storied. 

Almshouses on Alexandra Square

This architectural style of housing continues down to the Saltaire Road before it reverts to terraced housing - previously seen in the main part of the estate – which is then succeeded by a large open space, where well-tended lawns front the old Factory School and the Institute. 

A view of the Factory School from the Institute

The same pattern of Italianate style architecture, with rock faced walling and better quality stone for the dressings, is still employed in the school; however the frieze sculptures by Thomas Milnes, which depict the alpacas that were so crucial to the success of Titus Salt’s business, demonstrate the quality of the Rough Rock as a freestone. 

Lions by Thomas Milnes - Determination, Vigilance, War and Peace

Thomas Milnes had developed a reputation for his animal carvings and the stone lions, which depict Determination, Vigilance, War and Peace, were originally designed for Trafalgar Square, but the contract was subsequently awarded to Sir Edward Landseer instead. Weighing over 3 tons each, they are carved not from the local Rough Rock but from Pateley Bridge stone, quarried 25 km away in North Yorkshire. 

A general view of the Institute

The figurative sculpture to the tympanum of the Institute opposite provides another fine example of his work and, at roof level, the finely carved details further illustrate the suitability of the Rough Rock for the highest quality masonry. 

The New Schools of Arts and Science

Taking a diversion down Mawson Street to briefly visit the New Schools of Arts and Science, there is an opportunity to take a close look at the differential use of laminated fine grained Rough Rock for the ashlar walling and a coarse, gritty variety for the rusticated ground floor and the dressings on the rear of the Institute. 

The rear elevation of the Institute

Walking back up to Victoria Road and then continuing down the hill past the railway station, the pediment to the Dining Room provides yet another example of stone carving - this time the festooned Salt coat of arms, which appears in several other places around Saltaire.

A detail of the pediment to the Dining Room