Harrogate in Yorkshire is a very elegant spa resort with a reputation for being England's floral town par excellence. Numerous visitors are attracted to this friendly floral town, with a rich spa heritage; very evident from the highly dignified architecture, and a cosmopolitan atmosphere emanating from a range of renowned hotels and homely guest houses Then there is it's highly stylish shopping areas,theaters,cafes and a good mix of places for leisure and entertainment.
Getting there : Harrogate is easily accessible through inter-city rail services from London with connections at Leeds and York, direct coach services from London, Newcastle, Liverpool and Edinburgh and Yeadon Airport is just 12 miles away.
Where to stay: The Tourist Information Centre can provide you with a list of available accommodations which range from luxury hotels such as the Old Swan Hotel and the Majestic, mid priced smaller hotels and guest houses to economical but very homely bed and breakfast places.
What to See and Do: Broad tree -lined streets and stunningly beautiful parks combine with the sweeping 200 acres of town-centre grassland known as ''The Stray'',bring a very spacious feel to the town. The Stray was once the Forest of Knaresborough. A window seat in the very famous Betty's tearooms, with wonderful views of the graceful, curving, boulevard of Montpellier Parade and Montpellier Gardens,is guaranteed to rest the mind, fortify the body and lift the spirits. Tennis courts, miniature golf and play facilities for young children provide excellent opportunities for recreation in Harrogate. the Sun Pavillion hosts the Spring Flower Show whilst the Autumn or Fall Show is held in the magnificent Harrogate International Center The International Centre has a 2,009 seat auditorium interlinked with seven exhibition halls and a 1,276 seat , Royal Hall, is in the heart of this attractive town.. Links with Harrogate's intriguing past as a spa town of international repute are maintained; a splendid example being provided by the excellent Turkish Baths. Open to the public seven days a week, they are located in the elegant and imposing Royal Baths Assembly Rooms.Only a short stroll away is the recently refurbished 150 year old Royal Pump Room Museum- this contains the Old Sulphur Well whose spa water is still available for sampling. Just across the road from the Royal Pump Room Museum are the famous Valley Gardens which blooms with a variety of delights. These Gardens have a world wide reputation for their formal and informal acres of displays and attractions. Flowers - there is a simply magnificent display of rhododendroms in season- provide a riotous blaze of color as you find you way through tranquil walkways and pine scented woods. Just outside the town the Harlow Car Gardens are open throughout the year and it's the home of the Northern Horticultural Society. Occupying some 68 acres the Harlow has beautiful plants, flowers, shrubs and trees including a number of rare specimens, but, all are labelled and identified. There is also a shop where you can but unusual plants and gift items.
Harrogate is excellent for shopping. The classically-styled Victoria Gardens Shopping mall is an excellent one-stop shopping paradise.However, do not miss the arcades of elegant boutiques selling just about everything from chocolates to clothing. This ''Rose of Yorkshire''-as Harrogate is sometimes called- also has a number of first-rate second hand book stores,antique and gift shops, and plenty of specialized shops to browse in. To be frank it is by no means the cheapest place in Yorkshire but if you look around you can find bargains.
Excursions : If you make Harrogate your base there are some wonderful out-of-town excursions that you can make. Pride of place perhaps goes to Harewood House, located on the main A61 road between Harrogate and Leeds. Harewood House has over 30 acres of woodlands and gardens, waterfalls, rock gardens, rose gardens and a fascinating collection of birds. Newby Hall, Ripon is a delightful Adam house set in a lovely English garden whilst Norton Conyers,also in nearby Ripon, is a Jacobean house complete with a 18th century walled garden. You can also make a visit to the delightful grounds of Castle Howard,near York, which incidentally was the location for the hugely successful TV program, Brideshead Revisited. Knaresborough is only 4 miles from Harrogate and is a charming small town. Check out the castle ruins, see the House in the Rock, and browse in the oldest chemist shop in England. Thoroughly pleasant walks, spectacular views and Mother Shipton's Caves are other great features of this very attractive Yorkshire town.
There you have it- a brief look at a lovely floral town in Yorkshire.
Check out Harrogate if you are touring Northern England !
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