SALTAIRE'S MODEL FARM AT MILNER FIELD 8 & 9 Sept 2018

Nearly 150 years ago, Titus Salt Jr - son of Sir Titus, the founder of Saltaire - built a sumptuous mansion, Milner Field, just over a mile west of the World Heritage model village. On adjacent land he then created a 'model farm', an agricultural enterprise reflecting the spirit of the industrial age.

It remains a working dairy farm and the architecture which marks it as a Victorian model farm is largely intact. Working with the Saltaire History Club, farmers David and Stella Downs invite you to visit them and to learn about

• a mansion that hosted a future king
• the mansion's designer and residents
  
• the estate's gardens and landscaping
• how c19 industrial giants modernised farming
• the extensive connections between the Salts family and farming
  
• the farm today.

You are promised a short tour with well-informed guides and you will be able to browse a wide-ranging display presented by knowledgeable local historians.

And you never know: there may be Milner Field ice cream!

IMPORTANT VISITOR ADVICE

1 PLEASE READ the FAQs (below) before you book.

2 ADMISSION TICKETS ARE REQUIRED by all, including children. Get them here. They are FREE and are for specific start times. Ticket 'sales' start on 8 August and close on 6 September.

3 At least 15 minutes before your start time, YOU MUST CHECK IN with your ticket at the farm gate. Expect your visit to take 1 to 1.5 hours.

FAQs

Are there any restrictions on who can attend the event?

This event is not suitable for younger children. Children of 8 or over are welcome if supervised by a responsible adult.

What about people with disabilities?

We welcome folk with disabilities. Access is good but not perfect. If you have a disability and would like advice, please contact us at milnerhod18@yahoo.com. Leave us your telephone number. We'll respond asap.

It's a working dairy farm: should I wear sensible footwear?

Yes you should! Boots are recommended.

What if it rains?

For some of the time you will be outdoors so bring a brolly if rain is forecast.

Will food and drink be available?

No. If required, please bring your own. We hope to provide a picnic area.

Can I bring my pet to the farm?

Sorry, no.

How do I get to Milner Field Farm by bus or train?

The nearest rail station is in Bingley which is a 25 minute walk from the farm. There are frequent direct trains to and from Leeds, Bradford and Skipton.

Buses serve Gilstead’s post office to the north of the farm, and the junction of Bingley’s Bradford Road/ Wagon Lane to the south. To get to the farm entrance, walks of 8 or 17 minutes respectively are then necessary.

For more info, see the journey planner at http://planner.wymetro.com/lts/#/travelInfo

What's the parking situation?

There is no visitor parking on the farm itself. If you are disabled and nearby parking is essential, we will try to help - but you must arrange this with us in advance. Email milnerhod18@yahoo.com with your query. Leave us your telephone number and we'll respond asap.

So what are my parking options?

Emerald Group will be making its car park available at Dowley Gap (aka Aire Valley) Business Park, Dowley Gap Lane, Bingley BD16 1WA. This will be FREE and is only 7 minutes walk from the farm gate.

Additional options are available if you are up for an interesting, easy, short walk... see below***.

How can I contact the organiser with any questions?

Email milnerhod18@yahoo.com. We will reply ASAP.

*** Use the free parking in or very close to Saltaire:

Option 1 Park next to Titus Salt School at Higher Coach Road, Baildon BD17 5RH. From there, follow Coach Road west on to the woodland path through the Milner Field estate. PLEASE NOTE: take the 90 degree left turn when you reach it, ~5-10 minutes after passing South Lodge. When you reach Primrose Lane, turn left down to the farm entrance. 30 minutes largely on the flat or a gentle slope

Option 2 Alternatively, park in the same location and walk west, turning off to the left towards the river immediately after you have left the metalled road and crossed the beck. At the river, follow the riverside path westwards until you reach the canal towpath. Turn right and soon after, turn right again just before the canal’s humpback bridge and walk the steep but short rough track up to Primrose Lane. Turn right and you’ll be at the farm gate in a minute or so. 30 minutes largely on the flat

Option 3 Park at the Salts Mill car park at the end of Salts Mill Road, Shipley BD17 7EF. From there, walk through the mill yard and down Victoria Road. At the bottom, take the canal towpath and walk westwards. Soon after walking over the river Aire, you reach a humpback bridge over the canal. Do not cross this bridge. Instead, turn right and walk the steep but short rough track up to Primrose Lane. Turn right and you’ll be at the farm gate in a minute or so. 40 minutes largely on the flat.