If you’re looking for a great short getaway in the north of England, then Harrogate could be the place for you. Situated in North Yorkshire, this spa town offers a wide range of tourist attractions and things to see over the course of a break. Here are a few options for you to consider whilst staying in Harrogate.
Betty’s Tea Room
Originally opened in 1919, this quintessentially Yorkshire eatery has proven to be a very popular attraction for locals and tourists alike over the years. Offering a wide variety of rare and exclusive fine teas and coffees, homemade cakes and chocolates, Betty’s is a must visit for anyone visiting Harrogate. Queues do tend to get rather large during the more popular times however, so booking in advance is recommended to ensure a table.
Turkish Baths and Spa
After you’ve had something to eat and drink at Betty’s Tea Room then why not sit back, relax and wind down with a treatment at Harrogate’s Turkish Baths. After all, you are in one of the UK’s most popular spa towns, so you’d be mad to miss out on something like this. Treatments can range from therapeutic massages, to facials and other beauty treatments. Can’t decide what treatment to go for? No worries – they offer a wide range of packages to suit every need, all of which can be booked online.
Valley Gardens
A 17 acre piece of land with numerous attractions, these gardens are English Heritage Grade II listed and also claim to contain a larger number of mineral springs than “any other known place”. Alongside the gardens there are a number of historical buildings and beautiful woodlands; however this understandably won’t be to everyone’s taste. For those people who want to do something a bit more lively, there are many outdoor games and play areas where children can entertain themselves, as well as concerts on a Sunday afternoon.
Ripley Castle
Sticking with the theme of sightseeing, just a three mile drive from Harrogate you will find Ripley Castle. Open all year round, this historic attraction is surrounded by picturesque grounds and is the perfect setting for a family day out. Again if this is something that the younger members of the group may not enjoy, there are numerous children’s tours of the castle throughout the day. This means that the keen sightseers can get their fix, whilst the children will be entertained and educated at the same time.
The Great Yorkshire Show
For three days a year, Harrogate Showground is transformed into the venue for the UK’s premier agricultural event – the Great Yorkshire Show. There are a number of things to see and do over the course of these three days, and there is more than enough to keep the children entertained too. One thing to bear in mind is that it’s definitely worth planning this well in advance, as money can be saved on tickets, and hotels in Harrogate tend to be extremely busy over these few days.
So there you have it, a pocket guide to spending a few days in Harrogate, with enough to entertain yourself and any younger members of the party.
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Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Anglotopia was started to get us back to the UK for a trip and it did that in 2009. Now, the goal is for Anglotopia to make our dreams of traveling to the UK whenever we want a reality.