Harrogate

The town of Harrogate is best described as an elegant jewel in the heart of Yorkshire. Its historic and stately buildings are set amid a wealth of beautiful gardens. The town has a very elegant and relaxed feel to it that you will be hard pressed to find anywhere else. A weekend here can be spent browsing the antique markets, enjoying a cream cake or two in the world renowned Betty’s Tea Rooms before watching your cares drift away in clouds of steam in the luxury of the town’s Turkish baths. The Floral Valley Gardens make the perfect place for a romantic picnic and all in all round Harrogate off as the perfect place for a relaxing or romantic break.

Harrogate is the place to visit for a traditional afternoon tea; Betty’s Tea Rooms first opened here in 1919 and today people still queue to experience one of their traditional spreads. Although the most famous of all of the tea rooms here there are plenty of others to choose from. Visit during the summer and you could be in time to enjoy the Harrogate Speciality Food Show or the experience that is the wonderful Great Yorkshire Show which brings together everything from prize winning livestock to incredible farm fresh, locally produced food. Of course there is more to the town than the excellence of the food on offer, Harrogate is a fabulous place to relax and unwind. A visit to the Turkish baths can simply melt all of your troubles away. Or, you could spend your days touring the unique boutiques that the town has to offer or the antiques or arts and crafts markets.

Town Attractions

Feel free to lose yourself in the wonderful seventeen acres of Valley Gardens. Aside from the beautiful natural surroundings you will also find rare plants from around the world and a staggering thirty six of the eighty eight natural mineral wells in and around the town. Visit during the spring and the colour and scent of the Harrogate Flower Show will open your eyes and stimulate your senses. The town is simply awash with vibrant colour that can’t help but make you feel good.

The history of this beautiful spa town is on display for all to see in the Royal Pump House Museum, including descriptions of some of the more unusual and strange spa treatments that Victorians came to the town for. The Turkish Baths offer steamy saunas and icy plunge pools all in the midst of some incredible Victorian architecture. With your renewed energy you could explore the Heritage Spa Trail and discover more about the colourful history of this beautiful spa town.

The country side here is worth exploring and you may be surprised by what you find. Pay a visit to the Pavilions of Harrogate as this is one of the most popular venues in the town, here you can find hands on workshops, book fairs, exhibitions and all manner of shows and displays which take place across the year.