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Town in North Yorkshire, England
Photo: DS Pugh, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Harrogate is an attractive Regency / Victorian spa town in North Yorkshire, with fine public gardens, and on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Its spa hotels have morphed into conference and "wellness" centres, and it's well stocked with good eating places, including the famous Betty's Tea Rooms. In 2024 the population was 164,100.
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Famous, with long queues to eat in at weekends. Or you could get everything for a picnic from the onsite bakery, then head into one of the green spaces to enjoy.
This celebrates the town's spa heyday. The original Spa is a town in Belgium: Harrogate's natural spring waters were discovered circa 1571 to have similar composition. Add in a Georgian / Victorian social scene, the invention of railways and leisure travel, and oodles of publicity, and here you are. The mineral-rich springs are variously of "chalybeate" (iron) and of sulphur. Do taste some: it's the sulphur that you're destined to remember.
Mostly 19th and 20th century fine art.
Some of the best blooms in the North of England. It has its own branch of Betty's Tea Rooms. Assistance dogs only.
18th century mansion that Sir John Inglelby couldn't afford, so he scarpered abroad to escape his debts. The family managed to retain it and still live here. Visit by pre-booked guided tour.
A palatial 18th century mansion built by Carr & Adam with extensive grounds by "Capability" Brown and an exotic bird garden.
They offer a splendid Moorish-style sauna and soak. Some sessions are men or women only.
Seafood with French influence.
Lively Greek bistro.
Different menus or à la carte. It's also a hotel.
Classic British fare.
British classic cuisine, with downstairs bistro and upstairs restaurant.
Modern fusion cuisine earning great reviews. Nice views of the park across the street, but the outdoor seating is a little uncomfortable. Several vegetarian and vegan options available.
200 year old and full of atmosphere, though some rooms are dated with poor beds. When Agatha Christie's first husband went off with another woman in 1926, she faked a suicide disappearance but ten days later was spotted staying here, under that other woman's name.
Comfy hotel, 300 years old but mostly modern rooms.
250 year old coaching inn, now often a conference venue. Comfy and central.
formerly St George Hotel
Thoroughly spruced up under new ownership, this is a smart central hotel.
Doubletree by Hilton
Grand pile opened in 1900, this is a spacious spa hotel near town centre.
Slick central hotel, spacious rooms, dog-friendly.
Smart hotel with great dining near The Stray.
Historic hotel on The Stray.
Plush countryside Georgian mansion with 90 bedrooms, spa, 2 restaurants, golf course and parkland.
Elegant arcaded centre, parking available.
Holder of the Guinness World Record for being the oldest continuously operating sweet shop in the world. Expect to find high-quality sweets that are old-fashioned, uncommon, seasonal, or special. Multi-coloured, multi-flavoured traffic light lollipops make a compact and inexpensive souvenir for the little ones back home – get 10 lollies for less than £4.
From beyond western Europe, use Manchester Airport (MAN). It has global connections, competitive fares, and an hourly train from Leeds.
Read in the guideWalking is best for town centre, and cycling will quickly get you to outlying attractions. Avoid driving in town, as it can be very congested.
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Leeds, West Yorkshire · International · LBA
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