Harrogate:
Harrogate is a spa town in North Yorkshire noted for its beautiful parks and gardens, elegant buildings, Turkish baths, high class shops and tearooms.
During the Victorian era the town became very popular as a spa town thanks to the curative properties of its high sulphur content mineral springs. Harrogate attracted the great and the good including the likes of Charles Dickens and Tsarina Alexandra of Russia. While the mineral-rich waters of Harrogate are no longer sought as a miracle cure for ailments one can still luxuriate in its Turkish baths and enjoy a relaxing stay in the elegant town.
Getting there:
Harrogate is located in North Yorkshire, 19 miles (30 km’s) north of Leeds with York a similar distance to the east. If arriving by car, the town is easily accessible via the A1 and the A59 Skipton to York road. There are direct rail services into Harrogate from Leeds, York and London King’s Cross making it an ideal location for a short break.
Things to see and do:
Royal Pump Room Museum
The Royal Pump Room is a grand, octagonal Victorian building which opened in 1842 to pump water from a natural spring. The wealthy came to sip glasses of its water for curative benefits whilst being serenaded by musicians. The needs of the poor were also catered for as a free tap was provided outside of the building.
The Pump Room now houses the town’s museum documenting Harrogate’s development as a prosperous and flourishing spa town dating back to the 16th century. Its galleries contain an eclectic collection of strange 19th-century therapeutic equipment, recreated Victorian shopfronts and costumes along with an interesting collection of toys and treasures.
Turkish Baths
The Turkish Baths offer a unique blend of tradition, opulence, and relaxation. Be stunned by the beautiful Victorian architecture with its exquisite Moorish mosaics and terrazzo floors.
If you’ve never experienced a Turkish Baths before don’t worry as the staff will guide you through the time-honoured ritual, beginning with the Tepidarium. This warm room prepares your body for the thermal experience ahead, helping to relax muscles and improve circulation.
Next, you’ll enter the Caldarium, a steam room infused with essential oils. From there you’ll progress to the Laconium, a dry, low humidity sauna.
The highlight of the Turkish Baths is undoubtedly the stunning Frigidarium, an icy plunge pool that offers a refreshing and invigorating experience. The contrast of the cold water against the warmth of the previous rooms stimulates the senses and is said to boost energy levels.
Sessions book up fast so I’d recommend reserving a time slot in advance and if time allows also indulging in one of the beauty treatments on offer. Two hour sessions cost £25, Turkish Baths.
Mercer Art Gallery
The gallery is located on Swan Road just a couple of minutes walk from the Royal Pump Room. Entrance is free and as well being able to view a collection of 19th and 20th century modern fine art it’s an excellent opportunity to look inside one of the town’s first purpose-built spa rooms where Victorians came to socialise. Open Wednesday-Sunday. Mercer Art Gallery.
Valley Gardens
The town centre is full of delightful parks and gardens with the Valley Gardens being the most beautiful. This 17 acre park is English Heritage Grade II listed for its historic buildings. It lies in the centre of town with its main gates facing the Royal Pump Room.
The floral displays are spectacular with seasonal dahlias and bedding plants that are re-planted throughout the year. At the centre of the gardens is Bogs Field where 36 of Harrogate’s approximately 100 mineral wells are to be found, with no two being alike.
Stroll beneath the colonnades, follow the winding pathways and stop for an ice cream at the historic Magnesia Well Tea Room.
There’s a lovely walk leading to Harlow Carr Gardens taking around 30 minutes that begins at the far end of the Valley Gardens and goes through the Pinewoods before reaching the entrance to Harlow Carr Gardens.
RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Proudly carrying the name of the Royal Horticultural Society, Harlow Carr is a stunning 58 acre garden and woodland one and a half miles to the southwest of Harrogate city centre.
Highlights include its herbaceous borders, wildflower meadows and the kitchen, scented and sub-tropical gardens. Betty’s Tea Rooms have an attractive cafe and outdoor terrace overlooking the gardens and with an RHS garden centre and gift shop on site it’s a very pleasant place to spend a few hours.
The gardens are open daily with standard entrance £13.85 (free for RHS members and one accompanied guest). Please note that if you arrive by public transport, bicycle or on foot then admission is reduced to £9.70. Retain bus tickets as proof or take a photo through the pinewoods to indicate you have not come by car.
The Stray
This large area of public parkland in the town centre comprises 200 acres linking the spa town’s curative springs and wells that were on land that was at one time part of the Royal Forest of Knaresborough. Harrogate depended on public access to these springs for its visitors and for the town’s prosperity so a decree was drawn up in 1778 stating that ‘The Stray would forever remain open and unenclosed with all persons having free access at all times’. The Stray is exceptionally beautiful in springtime when the crocuses are in flower, followed by the daffodils and the magnificent avenue of flowering cherry trees.
Spend an evening at the theatre:
The arts scene is well catered for in the town with the Harrogate Theatre on Oxford Street, the Royal Hall on Ripon Road and the Harrogate Convention Centre just behind it. Check out the listings for plays, musicals, drama, ballet, concerts and the annual pantomime and view top quality performances for a fraction of the price you would pay in London’s West End.
Montpellier Quarter
This part of town begins at the corner of Betty’s Tea Rooms and gently winds its way downhill overlooking the Montpellier Gardens. With its small independent designer boutiques, antique shops, art galleries and beauty salons it’s a delightful place for a wander. Explore its narrow cobbled streets and admire the beautiful buildings.
Betty’s Cafe Tea Rooms
Betty’s Tea Rooms are a Yorkshire institution and renowned for their signature blends of tea and coffee, delicious cakes and delicate finger sandwiches. Established in 1919 it remains an independent Yorkshire family business including branches in York, Ilkley and Northallerton.
Splurge on a decadent champagne afternoon tea (£37.95) or for a more budget friendly option pick up one of their famous Fat Rascals (a plump fruity scone) from the shop and sit on a bench in the gardens opposite to enjoy it. Betty’s Cafe Tea Rooms.
Slingsby Gin
For gin lovers (like me) make sure you find time to visit the Singsby Spirit of Harrogate flagship store just down the road from Betty’s in the Montpellier Quarter. It was back in 1571 that William Slingsby discovered the unique properties of Harrogate’s natural spring water and the distillery proudly takes his name.
Visitors are welcome to sample their range of five gins and a vodka. In addition to their London Dry they have created Rhubarb, Gooseberry, Marmalade and Blackberry infusions. Also on offer are Gin Experiences where you can spend an evening adding botanicals to distil your own bottle of gin to take home with you. Slingsby Gin.
Stay:
The Harrogate Inn is a historic hotel formerly known as the St. George and centrally located with the Royal Hall, Turkish Baths and Convention Centre on its doorstep.
The hotel was established in the late 1800’s and after being purchased recently by the Inn Collection Group, has undergone a multi-million pound refurbishment to provide modern day comforts whilst retaining its Victorian charm.
With elegantly furnished rooms, good food, a large outdoor terrace and its own Barking George pub it’s a great place to spend a night or two whilst enjoying all that Harrogate has to offer. The Harrogate Inn.
During our stay we were guests of Visit Harrogate and the Inn Collection Group and as always all views and opinions are entirely my own.
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