Harrogate Visitor Guide

Visitors first flocked to the elegant North Yorkshire spa town of Harrogate in Victorian times to take the waters and enjoy the fresh air the town had to offer. Today Harrogate is a magnet for those seeking relaxation, shopping and afternoon tea!

Well-kept parks and gardens are synonymous with Harrogate. The largest is the Grade II listed Valley Gardens. The 200 acre open parkland known as The Stray, with its tree lined paths wraps itself around the town. Out of town, the RHS Harlow Carr Gardens are a magnet for garden lovers and plant enthusiasts alike.

Harrogate's Turkish Baths, within the iconic Royal Baths building, have operated since 1897 and are still popular today. The Royal Pump Room Museum offers visitors a chance to smell the strongest sulphur wells in Europe as well as to learn more about bygone Harrogate.

Shopping centres around Cambridge Street and James Street, both offering High Street and designer name shops, and the indoor Victoria Shopping Centre.

The Harrogate Convention Centre is home to year-round trade shows, conferences and exhibitions. Harrogate Theatre, dating back to 1900, showcases local and travelling productions. The annual Great Yorkshire Show is held at the town's showground which also hosts corporate events, exhibitions and gala dinners.

No visit to the town would be complete without a visit to Bettys Café Tea Rooms to indulge in some excellent local and international fare or a famous afternoon tea. The signature Yorkshire Fat Rascal and delicious cakes and breads are on sale in the shop.