The beautiful Victorian spa town of Harrogate is set against a lovely backdrop of the rolling Yorkshire Dales. High Harrogate and Low Harrogate combined around 200 years ago to form the town we see today, and it’s grown considerably in size since then.
Harrogate station is in the centre of town and its trainline is between Leeds and York, making both of these cities easily accessible by train; a great thing for commuters. These nearby cities also make it easy to connect to places further afield, such as Edinburgh, Manchester and London. An hourly bus service takes people from the centre of Harrogate directly to Leeds Bradford Airport, with 70 international flight destinations available as well as flights to other parts of the UK. Good road networks in the area make nearby towns and cities, like Ripon and Leeds, easily accessible by car.
There are plenty of good nurseries and schools within Harrogate. Harrogate High School has about 600 pupils and it was rebuilt in 2017. There are plenty of private school options in the town centre too.
Harrogate is an elegant and exciting shopping destination. There’s a great range of independent shops, boutiques, luxury brands, and high street names. The Montpellier Quarter, with its beautiful cobbled streets, has plenty of eclectic independent stores, quaint cafes and award-winning restaurants.
For those who appreciate fine food, Harrogate offers an eclectic mix of quality eateries ranging from international cuisine to cosy little café’s. One of Harrogate’s highlights is Bettys – the prestigious and traditional cafe, which was first established here in 1919.
Many cafes and restaurants base their menus on local, seasonal food. Fodder is a farm shop and café just on the edge of Harrogate’s town centre, and it serves up the best Yorkshire food delivered from farms and served direct to customers through its butcher, deli and café. There are the familiar chain cafes and restaurants too.
There’s a long history of coaching inns and public houses in the town and its surrounding areas, and many of these pubs still exist today. Local breweries thrive here, like the family-run Harrogate Brewery, which is a favourite with beer enthusiasts.
Harrogate is well served for healthcare, with many GP services and medical centres found in the centre. Harrogate District Hospital is just on the edge of town, and there’s also BMI The Duchy Hospital available as a private option, and Harrogate Harlow Private Healthcare Service too.
Harrogate has managed to retain large open areas despite the town’s growth, including the Stray, which is 200 acres of beautiful and spacious grassland within the town centre.
One of Harrogate’s greatest attractions is the Turkish Baths and Health Spa. The revitalising spa pool and hot sauna are a popular destination for both tourists and locals alike. Throughout the year, Harrogate is also home to various festivals, providing a variety of diverse entertainment ranging from comedy acts to musicals.
There are plenty of places to visit nearby, such as Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden, and Newby Hall and Gardens, both found in Ripon. Mother Shipton’s Cave And The Petrifying Well in Knaresborough, and Brimham Rocks in Pateley Bridge, both provide brilliant days out nearby.
The Yorkshire Dales offers so many opportunities to get away from it all for a long walk, or to try something adventurous, like abseiling or climbing, and it’s within easy reach of Harrogate.
