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Harrogate was renowned
for its spa, beautiful Victorian architecture and spacious parkland and gardens.
Now it is a popular venue for conferences and exhibitions. Search out the
delicious toffee, fine shops, Betty's tea shop (yummy) and
Royal Pump Rooms. Of course, the parkland (100 acres) and gardens are still there.
What should you see in Harrogate?
The Pump Rooms
are an obvious choice since the sulphur water made Harrogate a spa town.
The name refers to the use of pumps to serve the sulphur water and to pump it to
the Royal Baths. A public pump outside the building was for the use of local
people and those who couldn't afford to take the water as the rich did. It
is still working, and continues to provide a supply of mild sulphur water.
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The octagonal stone pump
room was built in 1842 to provide a place for the rich and fashionable to 'take
the cure'. People taking the water would often go back two or three times a day
for a glass of 'the cure'. I can only liken it's taste to rotten eggs, but don't
let me put you off - no pain,
no gain! |
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Harlow Carr Gardens.
A very popular garden giving you a wealth of variety of plants. Sitting on the
edge of town. Open every day except Christmas from 9.30am to 6pm (March to
October) or 9.30am to 4pm (November to February) Last admission one hour before
closing.
Valley Gardens.
Again, very popular with locals and tourists alike. These gardens go back
many years and are one of the reasons Harrogate has its 'parkland/garden' reputation.
Open all year. No admission.
The Turkish Baths.
Once again our thoughts turn to health and wellbeing. Amidst surroundings that
are pure Victoriana, you'll enjoy a total leisure experience enhanced by
friendly yet unobtrusive attention. All you need bring are your personal
toiletries as fresh, soft towels are provided. Allow yourself a recommended
visit time of two and a half hours to obtain maximum benefit from the Turkish
Baths. Firstly, after a shower, visit the Steam Room where high humidity, made
gently fragrant with cleansing Eucalyptus, opens pores, penetrates the
respiratory system and eases tense muscles. Agatha Christie, the famous author,
spent time relaxing at the Baths during the time she went 'missing.'
Web link to
Turkish Baths timetable
Bettys
For a real spiffing afternoon tea and best éclairs ever!
Talking about
spas - don't forget the lovely city of
Bath
Outwith
Harrogate
Knaresborough Castle & Knaresborough
 About 3 miles from Harrogate, on the York road. You could get a
bus. The first castle on this site was probably built in about 1100, although
very little of this early work survives, having been almost completely rebuilt
by Edward I in the early 14th c. It has a wonderful position overlooking the
river. Knaresborough itself is worth walking around with its quaint old streets
and tiny shops. For the energetic there are boats for hire. Of course a visit to
Mother Shipton's cave should be made while in the area. The prophetess used to
live in a cave down by the river - there is a charge for admission but to see
petrified remains of teddy bears and baby shoes, not to mention the cave,
is probably worth it.
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Fountains Abbey and
Studley Royal - About 15 miles from Harrogate down country roads.
Take the A61 towards Ripon. Take Fountains signs after Ripley. One of the most remarkable and stunning places in Europe and a World Heritage Site,
comprising the spectacular ruin of a 12th-century Cistercian abbey and monastic
watermill, an Elizabethan mansion and one of the best surviving examples of a
Georgian water garden. St Mary’s Church provides
a majestic focus to the medieval deer park, home to 500 deer and a wealth of
flora and fauna.
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Elegant ornamental
lakes, canals, temples and cascades provide a succession of dramatic
eye-catching vistas.
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This abbey really is well worth a few hours out of your day.
Wander round the abbey, stroll through the grounds down to Studley Royal,
have a bowl of home-made soup in their lovely cafe, then wander some more in the
grounds of Studley Royal before a saunter back to Fountains. If you're short of
time then an hour should be enough to see the abbey and some of the grounds, if
you have a couple of hours (and maybe a bit more) to spare then do the whole
thing.
Web link to
Fountains Abbey
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Harewood House: About 7 miles from Harrogate on the Leeds
road. Open 7 March to 3 November, daily 10-6, Tel. 0113 2181010 Home of
the Queens first cousin, the Earl of Harewood, has an extensive events
programme, excellent outdoor entertainment, changing art exhibitions, premier
Bird Garden. Last but not least is the wonderful scenery and exquisite interiors
of the House. The house displays exquisite Robert Adam interiors, a rich
collection of Chippendale furniture, fine porcelain and outstanding art pieces
from Italian Renaissance masterpieces and Turner watercolours to contemporary
works. The Old Kitchen, contains "the best collection of noble household
copperware in the country" giving visitors a glimpse into an essential area of
yesteryears below stairs.
Lightwater Valley,
North Stainley, near Ripon. Superb family day out to suit all ages from tiny wee
ones upwards - water rides, big-thrill rides and much more...
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Skipton Castle;
About 20 miles from Harrogate on the A59. Over 900 years old, Skipton Castle is one of the
most complete and best preserved medieval castles in England and is well worth a
visit at any season of the year.
Web Skipton is a very pleasant small
Yorkshire town and worth a few minutes stroll.
Embsay & Bolton Abbey
Steam Railway
Web
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Newby Hall &
Gardens: About 12 miles from Harrogate (A61 towards Ripon) - Newby Hall is a beautifully restored Adam house.
It has a wonderful Tapestry Room, Library, Statue Gallery and some of
Chippendale's finest furniture. Twenty five acres of gardens,
abound with rare and beautiful plants, with the famous double herbaceous borders sweeping
down to the River Ure. Ride on the sweet
Miniature Railway, play in the Children's Adventure
Garden, stop at the Plant Stall,
and visit the Shop and Restaurant.
Web
Settle: About 30 miles from Harrogate - on the A65. Very pretty
Yorkshire market town set in beautiful dales location. Home of the Settle to
Carlisle Railway and stands beside the largest outcrop of limestone in Britain
in a region of scars, cliffs, caves and potholes.
The
Settle - Carlisle Railway is one of the UK's most spectacular railway
lines.
Starting out from Settle the line heads north up Ribblesdale between the
towering gritstone capped fells of Yorkshire's famous Three Peaks - Ingleborough,
Whernside and Pen-y-Ghent .
At the head of Ribblesdale the line climbs onto open moorland and across the 24
span Ribblehead Viaduct, before entering the one and a half miles of the Blea
Moor Tunnel under the eastern flank of Whernside. The line emerges into Dentdale,
charming, remote and dramatic, before leaving Yorkshire and traversing
Mallerstang Common and the Eden Valley up to the northern terminus at Carlisle.
Web link to Settle/Carlisle Railway timetables
The Settle-Carlisle Information Line is a recorded information service on 09065
660607, which gives details of regular services, steam charter services, and
walks from the line or try the
Web
Map not clickable for location idea only
Places to stay:
Hotels & Guest Houses in the Harrogate area:
Hotels
in Harrogate
York - York
is approx 20 miles from Harrogate - about 40 minutes drive.
Skipton - Skipton is approx 20 miles from Harrogate - about 40 minutes
drive.
Ripon - Ripon is about 15 miles
from Harrogate - about 20 minutes drive
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The Pump Room:
Web
Harlow Carr Gardens:
Web
Turkish Baths:
Web
Harrogate & Yorkshire: Web
Knaresborough Castle:
Web
Embsay & Bolton Abbey
Steam Railway: Web
Settle to Carlisle
Railway:
Web
Newby Hall:
Web
Harrogate Festival
Web
Taxis in Harrogate:
Yellowline Taxis 01423 562970
57 East Parade, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 5LQ
Advance Taxis 01423 508000
47 East Parade, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 5LQ
Association Taxis 01423 303030
17 Westville Oval, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 3JN
Blue Line Taxis 01423 503037
Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 5EF
Main Line Taxi Association 01423 555555
13 Station Parade, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 1UF
Execitive Private Hire 01423 810314
4 Almsford Drive, Harrogate, HG2 8EN
Hairdressers in Harrogate:
Peter Gotthard 01423
504301
Westminster Hair & Beauty
01423 560409
West Row. 01423 522666
Make-up artist Harrogate:
Bonita, 01423 701500 or 07841
200 337
First floor Studio, 4 John
Street, Harrogate. HG1 1JZ
Restaurants:
Loch Fyne: Tel: 01423 533 070
Wing Wah Restaurant & Take
Away: 01423 858828
Bettys. Tel: 01423 502746
Cattlemen's Association Tel:
01423 561456
Est Est Est. Tel: 0870 40 12
113
Pubs:
Muckles. West Park. Tel: 01423
858153 |
