On the banks of the River Aire, the park boasts a cricket pitch, café, and part hosts the popular annual Saltaire Festival.
What’s there?
Roberts Park is nestled in the heart of UNESCO world heritage site, Saltaire village. Linking the park to the village is an iron footbridge that crosses the river Aire. The park is an integral part of the local community, but often lends itself to events that bring people and communities together across the district and beyond. This includes the annual Saltaire Festival, Dragon Boat Races, World Heritage Day, and bandstand performances.
Grade II listed in English Heritage’s Register of Parks and Gardens and is a Green Flag Award® winner – this park is full of charm. From the long promenade and beautiful bandstand to the multi-feature play area and skate park.
It’s a sanctuary amid bustling Saltaire where people can relax to watch a cricket match, have a picnic on the large green or just enjoy a stroll along the winding paths.
Play area and skate park
The play area and skate park are situated at the main entrance and offer a variety of equipment for a broad age range.
Promenade and bandstand
Central to the park is the newly constructed bandstand with Low Moor Cannons located along a tree-lined promenade with access to the Half Moon Pavilion.
Café
The popular Half Moon Café is located beneath the pavilion; visitors can relax, take in the beautiful setting and enjoy the panoramic views of the cricket ground.
Cricket ground
Just one of three cricket grounds that are set in a World Heritage Site, Saltaire Cricket Club sits within the 5.5 hectares of park ground and takes up approximately a quarter of the park. Founded in 1869, it still has an active membership today.
History
Saltaire Park or ‘The People’s Park’
First opened in 1871, William Gay designed the park for Sir Titus Salt as part of the planned layout for Saltaire model industrial town, developed between 1850 and 1876. The park was named Saltaire Park but was known informally as The People’s Park and Salt’s Park. Early developments to the park included work to widen and deepen the River Aire so that it could be used for boating and swimming. In addition, a boathouse was built on the southern bank of the river. In 1870, the semi-circular pavilion was constructed by architects Lockwood and Mawson.
Sir James Roberts
Sir James Roberts was a local businessman who took over the Salts textile empire. He also donated the statue depicting Sir Titus Salt, prominent mill owner and founder of Saltaire village as it stands today. In 1920 Sir James Roberts named the park Roberts Park as a memorial to his second son Bertram Foster Roberts when he gave the park to Bradford Council on 1 August that year.
Alpacas
The significance of the Alpaca statues in the park is that they serve to commemorate the start of the Alpaca fashion industry in England, which began when Salt stumbled upon a bale of Alpaca wool in a warehouse in Liverpool in 1836. He took some samples for experimentation and then returned to purchase the whole consignment. Although he was not the first to work with the fiber, Salt is credited with creating the incredibly popular and desirable Alpaca cloth.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
In 1971 Saltaire, including Roberts Park, was designated a conservation area, and in December 2001, they were awarded the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Restoration works in 2010
Following a grant from The Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Parks for People Programme in 2010, substantial restoration works was carried out. This included the improvement of the three Grade II listed shelters, as well as the pavilions, East Park Lodge, and the statue of Sir Titus Salt. The project also involved the reinstatement of the original bandstand and improvement works to the footpaths and the riverbank.
Natural history
In Spring, visitors to Roberts Park can expect to see Magnolia lined promenade in full flower and mature Blossom trees surrounding the bandstand. In the summer months, Many Happy Returns and Harlow Carr Roses fill the promenade with colour and fragrance. This encourages insects and pollinators to populate this environment, attracting bird life. Mature trees enhance the heritage value of this landscape, while Holly trees, currently under a 10-year heritage maintenance plan, provide an all-year-round background colour to the park.
Visit the things to do area for details of all events.
Saltaire Festival
Running every September, the festival is an award-winning event celebrating the heritage of Saltaire through the arts. Visitors can expect bands, an outdoor cinema, pop-up gardens, stalls, and much more.
World Heritage Day
World Heritage Day is celebrated in April, and Saltaire marks its UNESCO World Heritage status with a family community event. Attractions include a craft market and heritage stalls, theatre workshop, fairground, and an evening lantern parade.
Dragon boat festival
Run across three days, this is a fun-filled family festival with dragon boat racing on the river and landside attractions, including children’s entertainment, charity stalls, catering stands, games, and live acts.
Bandstand concerts
Roberts Park live music concerts run through the summer months and include music and performances across a range of genres.
Park run
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Every Saturday at 9 am. Visit the Parkrun website for more information: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/robertspark/
Junior park run
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for juniors (4- to 14-year-olds). It is held every Sunday at 9:00am. For more information, visit: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/saltaire-juniors/
Friends of Roberts Park
The Friends of Roberts Park group organise various events throughout the year, which are regularly posted on the Friends group Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfRobertsPark
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