Location: Harrogate
Top Things to do in Harrogate
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What to do and see in Harrogate, England: The Best Nature & Parks
Harrogate is also known as "The English Spa." For centuries, visitors have flocked to the mineral hot springs. Today, those springs still soothe the body while the placid RHS Harlow Carr Gardens and Yorkshire Dales national park stimulate the soul. Tea rooms, architecture, and art galleries are the main pastimes in this pleasant town. With four rail stations for easy transport, travelers can board trains running between Harrogate and York, Leeds, Knaresborough, and London.
Restaurants in Harrogate
1. Birk Crag
2. Brimham Rocks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,406 reviews
An amazing collection of weird and wonderful rock formations: a great day out for families, climbers and those who love the outdoors.
Reviewed By FrequentFlier809627
Superb for all the family. Plenty of marked (disabled accessible) paths & lots of rocks to climb. There's really nowhere else like it. Be sure to see the Dancing Bear rock (above the visitor centre) &, just a little further on, the Balancing Rock. Make sure you visit the snack bar (check opening days) and try the hot sausage rolls - the best sausage rolls you've ever had! There's a large area of picnic tables by the snack bar so feel free to bring your own picnic. Parking, at the entrance, is extensive (free for NT members) with disabled spaces; Parking gets busy on fine weekends, school holidays & Bank holidays so try to arrive before 11.00 on sunny days!
3. Ripley Castle and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,026 reviews
Reviewed By frankart_10 - Lymington, United Kingdom
We visited the castle on a rather wet day, and strangely, as part of a holiday mostly looking at steam railways. But no matter. I'm so very pleased that this visit was fitted into the schedule. The castle is still in private ownership, it's a very fine building, dating back several hundred years, where it's been in the ownership of the same family. The rooms are well stocked with fine family portraits and the furniture and possessions, and are well worth taking a long look at. There's a good collection of curios, guns and armour, and the grounds are extensive, supporting a large heard of deer, which can often been seen as you wander around the deer park The walled garden could do with a bit of attention, but there are also two excellent shops and a very good tea room. But for me the highlight was the guided tour. The lady who took us round was full of information, interspersed with some extremely witty anecdotes about the family. Just so highly entraining as well as informative. I though this a most excellent visit.
4. RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,746 reviews
Reviewed By 869victoriac - Doncaster, United Kingdom
Lovely afternoon spent walking around these gardens The Gardena are beautiful. Felt safe we all COVID-19 precautions I place at Harlow Care, plant centre and shop also very good with great selection of plants, books and local gifts. Bettys tearoom also very good great food and service.
5. Valley Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,457 reviews
Valley Gardens is a beautiful Park in Low Harrogate, perfect for a relaxed stroll or for a family day out. It is an English Heritage Grade II Listed Garden covering 17 acres of formal gardens, leisure activities and woodland. Historical buildings and the semi-covered Colonades sit nestled amongst a wide variety of shrub, flower and herbaceous beds. The adventure play area is immensely popular especially during the summer season when the paddling pool is a refreshing way to cool down. There are a wide range of sporting activities to try during your visit including; tennis, crazy golf, table tennis, disc golf, pitch and putt as well as a skatepark. For music lovers, band concerts take place on Sunday afternoons throughout the summer.
Reviewed By andycR9465OD - York, United Kingdom
Valley Gardens is a fabulous town-centre space with brilliant views, plenty of seating and great sporting options, including tennis, crazy golf, a playground and a skate-park. It also has a good coffee shop which serves nice ice-cream. The gardens are really well kept by a large team of gardeners who do a great job - if you visit Harrogate do not miss Valley Gardens.
6. Crescent Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 108 reviews
Reviewed By johnhouston2 - Knaresborough, United Kingdom
As with all the town gardens this year, the Crescent Gardens are looking particularly lovely. Situated in a lovely part of the town centre it’s a nice wee place to take a seat and enjoy the floral display.
7. The Pinewoods
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 106 reviews
The Pinewoods is approximately 96 acres of semi-natural woodland, one kilometre south west of Harrogate town centre. Access to the woodland is available via tarmac footpaths from the town centre of Harrogate and road links using public transport from Knaresborough. Parking for cars is available off Crag Lane close to the wood at its most south-westerly point.
Reviewed By ozharmony - Harrogate, United Kingdom
love love love the pinewoods in all seasons, a stunning extension of the Valley Gardens and great pathway up to the famous Bettys @ Harlow Carr Gardens you really feel like you are miles from anywhere
8. Fewston Reservoir
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 253 reviews
Reviewed By Jen_Andy_Lawson - Leeds, United Kingdom
Visited here and Swinsty with my Wife and baby. You could get round the paths with a pram but some parts are quite muddy, so we opted for the baby carrier. This is such a great place so close to the big cities and towns of west and North Yorkshire. We parked at Swinsty (great duck feeding area near the car park) and walked round both reservoirs in a clockwise direction which adds up to approx 6.5 miles and took us approx 3 hours with a lunch stop. The winter light was very good and stunning reflections could be seen on the water. The only sadness was at the end of the walk when we witnessed a family chucking boxes of rubbish out of their car into the car park and driving off - what a disgrace that people abuse such a clean and tranquil place.
9. Great Yorkshire Show
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 136 reviews
The Great Yorkshire Show features the best of British farming and is England’s premier agricultural show. Held at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate it gives first-hand experience of agriculture and rural life through demonstrations and exhibitions as well as a ‘not to be missed’ insight into the very latest in the agricultural industry. Organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS), it is held each July and attracts around 130,000 visitors over the three days. Dates for the 2020 event are Tuesday 14 – Thursday 16 July which will be the 162nd show.
Reviewed By theharrogatelady - Harrogate, United Kingdom
You can’t miss this annual show in July. It’s part of the history of Harrogate. Something to see for everyone. Love walking around all the stables looking at the animals.
10. Almscliffe Crag Harrogate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By theharrogatelady - Harrogate, United Kingdom
Take a walk up Armscliffe Crag and the views across North and West Yorkshire will blow you away! It’s not a tough climb and you will see for miles on a clear day.
