Area Guide

The beautiful spa town Harrogate, situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales with the Vale of York to the east, is a very popular tourist destination. Harrogate’s peaceful surroundings and fascinating architecture wins the hearts of many.

About Harrogate

Harrogate is one of the gems of the north famed for being one of the most prosperous towns in England with some of the highest property prices. However, what really makes Harrogate uniquely special is its rich history. Harrogate’s fame dates right back to 1571, when William Slingby discovered that the water from Tewit Well had many of the properties found in the springs of the Belgium town of Spa, which gives its name to spa towns. Harrogate is also well known for The Stray, an area of land enclosed off and reserved as public commons – a very popular area for picnickers and outdoor activities. What’s more, Harrogate is home to the original Bettys Tea Rooms.

Visiting Harrogate

Harrogate is alive with colour during the summer months, which is when we highly recommend a visit, although it is nice anytime of the year. There are a number of parks and gardens, which are meticulously kept, including Crescent Gardens in the centre of the town and Jubilee, and Victoria Gardens to the east of the centre. The gardens offer the perfect surroundings to relax and enjoy this beautiful town. However, if you are a passionate gardener looking for inspiration the award-winning RHS Harlow Carr Gardens on the outskirts of the town are a must!

Food & Drink

There are plenty of restaurants and bars in Harrogate to tickle your fancy whether its Thai you are after or a hearty Yorkshire pudding, Harrogate has it all. For the real ale drinkers amongst you the Fat Badger is one of our favourites…we will say no more!