Harrogate
Harrogate was a very popular Victorian spa town where it was fashionable to take the waters; visit the Royal Pump Room Museum to learn more. The Turkish baths that were restored in 2004 are full of history with magnificent handmade mosaic tiles that line the baths. The Mercer Art Gallery contains a collection of over 2000 works of art from the 19th and 20th century and will reveal more of the Victorian way of life
Harrogate is deservedly famous for its wonderful shops: boutiques, silversmiths, jewellers, watchmakers, antiques shops and all of the well-known retailers line the town streets. The Victorian Centre has three floors of shopping from picture frames to cookery shops; it’s all there. There are cafes, wine bars and restaurants serving every kind of food and beverage. Of course there is also Betty’s, the best of tea rooms in Yorkshire. No visit to Harrogate is complete without enjoying freshly made tea and cakes served with impeccable taste -don't forget your wallet!
Harrogate is close to the Yorkshire Dales National Park and surrounded by many natural attractions; Brimham Rocks, How Stean Gorge, Stump Cross Caverns and Plumpton Rocks. Home to The Great Yorkshire Show and flower shows in the spring, be sure to visit the Harlow Carr Gardens, a must for the enthusiastic gardener. Hotels in Harrogate are luxurious and plentiful. Bed and breakfasts cater for both businessmen and tourists, offering very good value for money. There are local holiday cottages and farmhouses offering self catering accommodation together with touring caravan and holiday home parks located in the local villages. With direct rail links from York, and good road links from the A61 from Leeds and the A59 from York, Harrogate is a great base from which to explore and enjoy Yorkshire at its best.
Several places offer caravan repairs and services in Harrogate, as well as numerous shops stocking camping and outdoor equipment including Blacks, Yeomans and Millets. Harrogate also has plenty of large supermarkets for self-catering food supplies.
