The Essential Weekend Guide To Harrogate

England is full of pockets of history and Roman architecture. Many of its most famous cities seamlessly blend the countryside with city landscapes and medieval architecture, and Harrogate is no exception. What we love about Harrogate is that it’s a small, perfectly formed town which is extremely simple to get around with views of beautiful historical architecture and green landscapes around every one of its cobbled corners. Whether you’re exploring in a City Waterproof Jacket or strolling through the town in a ladies stylish waterproof jacket, you’ll find Harrogate ideal for any weather. You can get to Harrogate within an Hour and a half from all the main northern cities and 3 hours from London. When you get off the train you are directly in the town centre with a short hop to your hotel or Bed and breakfast, without any further onward travel or need for taxis. All of these points score highly in our where to visit top 10

Born through a boom in Spa tourism during the Victorian 1800s Harrogate quickly developed a reputation for luxurious getaways for both body and soul. Harrogate spa water contains iron, sulphur and common salt and this is why the town became known as ‘The English Spa’ in the Georgian era, after its waters were discovered in the 16th century. In the 17th and 18th centuries its ‘chalybeate’ waters (waters containing iron) were a popular health treatment, and the influx of wealthy but somewhat sickly visitors contributed significantly to the wealth of the town. Today, you can walk through the town in a womens lightweight waterproof jacket or even a Waterproof Long Rain Jacket, perfect for exploring the spa town during rainy days.

It is still a wealthy town today and Harrogate town centre shops are varied and interesting unlike some of the more homogenised high street offerings we get nowadays. This spa town is a jewel to behold when planning any trip to the Yorkshire moors or indeed visiting the town itself exclusively or as part of onward travels. You’ll want to be equipped with a Waterproof Hooded Mac or perhaps an elegant raincoat with hood to take in the charm of the town.

The below offers some of the highlights of the town we think if you are anything like us you may be interested in 

Cultural Highlights | Why You Should Visit Harrogate

• The Royal Hall theatre

The Royal Hall theatre with its 950-seat capacity, spectacular décor and large versatile floor space, provides a breath-taking setting. Over 100-years-old, the Royal Hall was re-opened by Prince Charles in 2008 following an eight-million-pound restoration. Harrogate Theatre runs a programme of live events at the Royal Hall throughout the year from comedy to showcasing various musical icons to talks with some of the UK’s best loved actors. Get in touch before you arrive to see if there’s anything that takes your interest as the venues beauty is as captivating as the events themselves.

• St Wilfrid’s Church

The church is widely considered to be the famous architect, Temple Moore’s, greatest work. It subtly dominates the Harrogate skyline, and is considered to be “the biggest and by far the best of Harrogate’s churches, of which there are many! The masterwork of Temple Moore”. Sir Aston Webb highlights its national importance, and goes as far as to say it is “perhaps the most beautiful of all parish churches I know anywhere in the world”. It’s open to the public most days and is a great place to go to have a few moments of peaceful thought from the busy streets below it. A Waterproof Trench Coat Women’s With Hood will keep you dry while exploring Harrogate’s charming streets.

• The Valley Gardens

Valley Gardens is a beautiful Park in Low Harrogate, perfect for a relaxed stroll or for a family day out. It is an English Heritage Grade II Listed Garden covering 17 acres of formal gardens, leisure activities and woodland. From tennis to crazy golf to table tennis and a skate park, these gardens are a truly magnificent place to catch your breath. Historical buildings and the semi-covered Colonnades sit nestled amongst a wide variety of shrub, flower and herbaceous beds and in the summer musicians and bands can be heard entertaining visitors and locals alike. Make sure to wear a Waterproof Rain Coat For Women to stay comfortable while enjoying the gardens.

• The Turkish Spa

The Harrogate Royal Baths have long been a magnet for the rich and famous for centuries. In Victorian times, Royalty would amuse themselves by racing their bath chairs through the Harrogate streets towards the Baths.

Today you can surround yourself in Turkish architecture and get a sense of this history while enjoying a more contemporary spa experience. Open daily, you follow the line through both hot and cold cleansing spas which reinvigorate you for you next adventure in this ancient city This isn’t the cheapest activity that Harrogate has to offer but it is a special treat which you will remember for a long time to come.

• Ripley Castle Harrogate

Ripley Castle Harrogate (and its Gardens) are situated 3 miles from Harrogate centre. The castle is a sight to behold and is open to the public all year round. This historical settlement has long been connected with our kings and queens throughout the ages with Sir Thomas Ingilby acquiring the castle through his wife, Edeline Thwenge’s, dowry in the 1300s. It was their son who saved King Edwards IIIs life when he was gored by a boar and was subsequently knighted. James I also stayed in the castle in 1603, but by 1605 members of the Ingilby family were part of the Gunpowder plot to kill him so this was perhaps the one and only time he felt welcome at Ripley Castle in Harrogate

Where To Nibble | Some Of The Rarest Finds

• Bettys Tearoom

Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate is a family company based in Yorkshire and is quintessentially English in every way. The tea rooms serve traditional meals with influences from both Switzerland and Yorkshire and it’s the place everyone visiting Harrogate must make a note of visiting at least once

• William & Victoria

A basement wine bar, very consistently praised for its ‘hearty food’, ‘good choice of wines’ and ‘bustling atmosphere” ‘Will & Vics’ – as it is often fondly referred to – is something of a Harrogate institution. Popular with both local clientele and visitors to the Spa town it serves up some very interesting wines from lots of global regions. The food is incredibly good as this independent business work closely with local suppliers opting for genuine seasonal produce at its prime at different times throughout the year.

• The Quirky farm restaurant

The Quirky Farm Bistro is a small independent Bistro run by Lise, and business partner Fabrizio. They opened the Quirky Farm Bistro on November 2018, following running a restaurant for 15 years in Antigua and deciding to move to the UK and continue doing what they loved. Fabrizio is Italian and Lise is from Antigua so you can taste influences from both these regions whilst sat amongst the backdrop of beautifully colourful furniture

• Farrahs

home of the Original Harrogate Toffee. Established in 1840 and recognised around the world for its distinctive blue and silver embossed tins, Farrah’s range now includes 250 different products for those of you who have a sweet tooth. Perfect for take home gifts 

• Hotel du vin Harrogate

Fashioned from a historic row of eight Georgian townhouses, Hotel du Vin Harrogate has been welcoming guests since the 1930s.Close to the centre of Harrogate, Hotel du Vin has a 2 AA Rosette-awarded bistro restaurant and a champagne bar. Private parking is available on site and the food is magnificent so we recommend you try this one out

Harrogate Town Centre Shops | A High Street Fusion 

• James street

James street has a high density of beautiful boutiques and designer shops. Hoopers, jigsaw, Hobbs, Moda In Pelle, Kurt Geiger and Jones Bootmaker are also on this street making it an easy shop of brands you may know, and special independent finds which only you will have. Near Bettys Tea Room and the train station, this town centre street also has plenty of nearby bars and restaurants, including Carluccio’s and Banyan Bar so you can in essence spend almost a full day in this street only grabbing a bite for lunch as a pit stop in the day.

• Beulah street

half a mile from the train station is an intriguing mix of old and new. With some of the original shopping arcade intact, the 200-metre-long pedestrianised street is home to several independent shops. There’s also a few lovely coffee shops in this part of town as well as some intriguing charity shops which you will definitely turn up some great finds with very little rummaging 

• Commercial Street

Commercial street is one of Harrogate’s town centre shops which is packed full of character. From the old to the new, and with an excellent coffee shop (Bean and Bud) and café (Farm Bistro) for topping up the tanks, you can get some real bargains at the well-stocked charity shops. Buy a first edition paperback at Books For All and head home to your comfy hotel or to the valley gardens for a lazy afternoon getting lost in your latest read. 

• Christmas market Harrogate

The switching on of the Christmas lights in towns throughout the District is always a sure-fire way to feel Christmas is really on its way. For many, Handel’s Messiah signals the true start of Christmas, and this masterpiece can be enjoyed in several atmospheric settings across the district. The Christmas market in Harrogate doesn’t have much to go at which is a shame because the town has the perfect Christmas atmosphere. Don’t let this put you off though as Knaresborough Christmas Market is only 15 minutes away (by car or taxi) and is another beautiful town which has an extensive Christmas market selling multiple quirky individual items which are perfect to take home for gifts for loved ones.

In the heart of Yorkshire, Harrogate is your perfect base for a day, a weekend or a week. With such a varied range of events, things to see and places to relax, you will find there is always something taking place to capture your interest without feeling exhausted! (unlike some of our bigger more frenetic cities). Good food and beautiful architecture go hand-in-hand with beautiful green scenery of gardens and expansive commons. Harrogate is truly a beautiful spa town which has so much to offer so gear up with some comfortable shoes and your Smartest Raincoat and embrace all that this majestic town has to offer.