In this edition of Pretty Places we visit North Yorkshire’s spa town of Harrogate – a hilly tourist destination with plenty of historic charm and beautiful architecture. This post looks at some of the top reasons to visit Harrogate, whether as a day trip or short holiday.

Records of Harrogate date back to the 1330s with the township listed within the Duchess of Lancaster’s estate – it wasn’t until the 1970s that Harrogate was transferred to the North Yorkshire county governance. The town may, however, date back much further after a hoard of 10th-century Viking treasure was found nearby.

Most of the town’s historic architecture dates to, roughly, the early 19th-century and includes most of the town’s attractions including the Grade-listed Royal Hall Theatre, which annual host the Gilbert and Sullivan Festival, Cambridge street’s shopping arcade, Harrogate town hall, the up-market Montpellier Quarter housing establishments such as the Mercer Art Gallery and the famed Betty’s Tea Rooms, and the Royal Pump Room, which holds Europe’s strongest sulphur well and acts as a museum about the town’s spa history.

cropped, Harrogate Museum, creative commons

Other attractions to see, if you visit Harrogate, include Valley Gardens – the town’s main park with paddling pool, mini golf, play area, bowling green and tennis courts along with sculptures and an array of flower beds, all cared for by the Friends of Valley Gardens, who maintain the beautiful gardens throughout the year and plant themed beds annually.

If you are particularly into horticulture, Harrogate has a host of gardens to visit including the Royal Horticultural Society’s Harlow Carr Garden situated on the western edge of the town holding fifteen gardens within twenty-seven hectares.

Harrogate is served by the main train station and three other minor stations, services run to Leeds and London King’s Cross. The closest airport is Leeds Bradford, which serves Europe.

The previously posted village of Whalley is just over an hour away by car. View more Pretty Places to visit in England by viewing the ‘pretty places‘ tag, or use the ‘travel‘ tag for extra inspiration.

images: scene therapy