Travel Planning The Perfect Weekend Break In Harrogate, North Yorkshire

Harrogate is my basecamp – the place I have called home now for two decades, and which I love. Having spent many years living and working in large cities, Harrogate offers something different – a town with big ambitions, a gentile pace of life, but still with plenty to do should you wish to access it.  Harrogate works hard to hang onto the conference crowd, as well as attracting new visitors to the town – as a result there is a lot to access, so here are some ideas about what to include on a weekend break in Harrogate.

Where is Harrogate located?

Harrogate is an attractive Victorian Spa town based in North Yorkshire in the north-east of England, UK.  It sits 17 miles north of the city of Leeds and 19 miles west of the city of York with good rail connections to both cities.

Once you’ve arrived in Harrogate, you don’t really need a car unless you plan to head out to the Yorkshire Dales which start on Harrogate’s west and north-west borders, making Harrogate an excellent base for walkers, cyclists, and climbers.

What makes Harrogate a good place for a weekend break in the UK?

Harrogate has previously been voted “The Happiest Place to Live in the UK” (Rightmove survey) for good reason.  It is a compact town with accessible large green spaces and beautiful buildings – a mixture of Georgian, Regency, Victorian and Edwardian architecture – making it both an attractive and easily walkable place (although a little hilly!) to explore during a weekend break in Harrogate.

Throw in good shopping, plenty of eateries and bars, two theatres, two cinemas, several small art galleries, the Pump Room Museum, Victorian Turkish Baths and a full year round events programme, and you will not be short of things to do on your visit – and that’s before you even consider making any day trips from Harrogate to Brimham Rocks, Fountains Abbey, or Knaresborough.

What are the best things to do on a weekend break in Harrogate?

Obviously, this depends on what sort of weekend break you are hoping to have, but the following suggestions are worth considering:

Take a walk in one of Harrogate’s central green spaces

The Stray

The Stray is a large green area (200 acres) of public parkland that surrounds the southern sides of Harrogate.  It runs right alongside the shops and cafes of West Park and the Montpellier Quarter, so is difficult to miss on a weekend break to Harrogate.

The Stay is protected by an Act of Parliament to remain at the same total acreage.  Over the years it has been used in different ways, such as for grazing cattle, the occasional host of the Great Yorkshire Show, and site of the Fan Parks for the Tour de Yorkshire and UCI World Cycling Championships.  Today, it hosts the town’s Bonfire in November and annual Fun Fair visits.  However, locals use the space every day for walking the dogs, picnics, football practice and other community events.

The Stray really does tell the story of the seasons, turning purple with croci in the Spring, then yellow with daffodils, pink with cherry blossom and orange with the trees in the Autumn.  When the winter nights drawn in early, strings of lightbulbs illuminate The Stray and add a touch of warmth to colder days.  It really is a beautiful space all year round which we are lucky to have in central Harrogate.

Valley Gardens

The centrally located park called Valley Gardens was developed by the Victorians, as part of a health programme for its visitors taking the therapeutic spa waters of Harrogate in this once fashionable Health Resort.  Valley Gardens provides another beautiful green space which is easily accessible on a weekend break in Harrogate.  Either take a gentle stroll around these well-maintained Victorian gardens, or alternatively a longer walk through Valley Gardens all the way to RHS Garden Harlow Carr.

For a history fix pop into the Pump Room Museum or take a Walking Tour

The Pump Room Museum

For a history fix, visit the Pump Room Museum to find out more about the history of Harrogate.  Whilst the exhibits change from time to time, they give information about living and working in this Victorian Spa Town over the years.  The Pump House Museum also has an Egyptian Collection including a 26th Dynasty sarcophagus, and is the site of the original Sulphur Well in Harrogate.

Harrogate Walking Tours

Harrogate has an excellent free walking tour run by a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide called Harry, who offers an entertaining walk around the key sights of Harrogate.  If you enjoy his tour, then show your appreciation by leaving him a tip. Note – Harry has recently completed a grand cycling trip from Harrogate to Egypt for charity and so will now have additional stories to tell.  Check the Harry Does History website for tour details.

Alternatively, take the Harrogate Ghost Walk which runs on a Friday night and promises stories of ghostly soldiers, poltergeists, and spirit manifestations as well as plenty of local historical information.  I am yet to try this, but it sounds fun.

For art appreciation visit The Mercer Art Gallery

If art is your thing, then check out The Mercer Art Gallery, built over 200 years ago as the Promenade Rooms – the building originally provided a place for spa visitors to socialise.  Apparently, Oscar Wilde once spoke here!  After various changes in purpose, the building became an art gallery in 1991 and offers an excellent programme of exhibitions.

Relax and recuperate at the Turkish Baths Harrogate

Head to the wonderful Turkish Baths Harrogate for a two-hour relaxation session in this wonderful Victorian Spa, and book some additional beauty treatments for a real treat.

Shop until you drop in Harrogate town centre

There are some excellent shopping opportunities in and around Harrogate – from the usual High Street options on James Street and Cambridge Street, to higher end shops and a healthy number of independents.

Here are some of the ‘non-High Street’ shopping areas to seek out:

Montpellier Quarter

This area on Montpellier Hill (downhill from Bettys Café Tea Rooms) is lovely for a browse and includes:

• The Spirit of Harrogate – for locally made gin.
• Imagined Things Bookshop – for books, gifts and recommendations.
• Harrogate Olde Sweet Shop – for Farrah’s Toffees which gained Royal approval from Queen Elizabeth II (apparently developed to take the taste of the nasty sulphur Spa water away).
• Morgan Clare – for designer fashions.
• Oaks – for a unique clothes shopping experience in a tiny circular building which used to be the ticket office for the Turkish Baths Harrogate.

For refreshments in this area, options include:

• Domo – a cosy Japanese restaurant with excellent sushi.
• Major Tom’s Social – a laid back unpretentious bar found above SPACE Vintage.
• The Drum and Monkey – long standing restaurant specialising in fish dishes.
• Plus, the Montpellier Pub and numerous hidden away tea shops and coffee bars.

West Park Row

The West Park row opposite The Stray includes the following shopping opportunities:

• 27 West Park – a large and popular antiques centre run by a collective of stall holders.
• Boho Chic (fashion), Moda in Pella (shoes) and a couple of higher end clothes shops.
• Cotswold Outdoor – outdoor clothing and equipment.
• Specialised – concept bike store.
• Oka – beautiful home furnishings.

For refreshments on West Park, there are several options, such as:

• Weetons Food Hall – a premium food hall and café with popular outdoor terrace for dog walkers.
• The West Park Hotel – great for brunch, cocktails and events in their al fresco Courtyard.
• The Tap & Spire Pub on Tower Street – the perfect neighbourhood pub.
• Three’s A Crowd – where the locals come to ‘be seen’.

Cold Bath Road

Sometimes referred to as ‘Cold Bath Village’ this road runs from the bottom of Montpellier Hill away from the town centre and offers a number of shopping options including:

• Prologue Performance – Cycling Shop and cafe.
• Petricia’s and HG Pets – Pet Shops.
• Karma Co Vintage – Vintage clothing shop.

For refreshments on Cold Bath Road, you are spoilt for choice.  I have included a couple of the more established restaurants in a section later here in this blog, but other ideas include:

• Pranzo – a smart neighbourhood Italian restaurant serving fabulous pasta dishes and cocktails.
• Manna Bakery and Eatery – selling a wide range of homemade breads, cakes and pasties. I highly recommend their jalapeños and cheese loaf – yum!
• Tilly Peppers – a lovely independent cafe with a laid back atmosphere, and good coffee.
• Vanillis – Ice-cream shop with great flavour options and ice-cream cakes. It is a popular stop after a walk in Valley Gardens (if you exit Valley Gardens from the gates next to the playground).

Commercial Street

This is a popular street for independent shops and cafes including:

• The Cheese Board of Harrogate – an incredible array of cheeses with knowledgeable staff.
• Bean and Bud coffee shop, the True Tea Company and Tarbetts Fishmonger.

Other notable places in Harrogate

Notable mentions around Harrogate include:

• Everyman Cinema Harrogate – a comfortable environment to catch a latest release, or one of the Throw Back showings, where you can enjoy dinner from your comfy sofa whilst watching the movie. However, you don’t have to see a film to enjoy the large trendy bar area – just pop in for a drink!
• Woods Fine Linens – opposite the Everyman Cinema.  It’s an Aladdin’s cave of luxury towels, linens and homeware. Perfect for gift shopping.
• Mama Doreen’s Emporium – for very special cupcakes on James Street.
• Ogdens – a Fine Jewellers established in 1893 with an amazing history, including founder James Robert Ogden having been invited to weigh and value the solid gold coffin of Tutakhamun.
• Starling Cafe – a welcoming independent cafe on Oxford Street.
• Stuzzi – specialising in Stuzzichini, little plates of Italian cuisine on Kings Road, opposite Harrogate Convention Centre.

Enjoy a pint in one of Harrogate’s favourite pubs (or several)

There are numerous places to enjoy a pre-dinner drink in Harrogate, but here are some popular ones in town:

• The Barking George – lively bar in the George Hotel, and with large outdoor seating area.
• The Fat Badger – bar in the Crown Hotel with nice outdoor heated area.
• Hales Bar – Harrogate’s oldest pub in Harrogate and an absolute gem.
• The Cold Bath Brewery – confusingly not on Cold Bath Road in Harrogate, but opposite the Convention Centre!
• The Tap & Spire on Tower Street – as previously mentioned (West Park section).

Try the Cold Bath Road Pub Crawl

You can spend a few hours on an old-fashioned pub crawl up Cold Bath Road including some of the following pubs – The Fat Badger, 17 Miles, The Last Post, District Bar, AAA Coffee House & Vinyl Bar with its Jukebox Jam where you can queue up tunes via your phone to be played on the bar’s sound system, and if you make it to the top, So! Bar.

6 pubs in total as options for your Cold Bath Road Pub Crawl – not necessarily visiting or drinking in every one of them (be drink aware) but have fun trying!

Make a pit stop on the way up Cold Bath Road at Oliver’s Fish and Chip Shop and Restaurant, arriving by 8pm, before it closes at 9pm.  We think they are the best fish and chips in Harrogate, and you will get old-fashioned decor and service with a smile here.

Eat dinner at a Harrogate Institution

Book at table at one of the more established restaurants in Harrogate, which are popular for a reason:

• The Orchid at the Studley Hotel – consistently good Asian menu and always busy.  It has two sittings and you will need to book in advance.
• The Royal Baths Chinese – located in part of the original Turkish Baths complex with beautiful internal decoration, good quality food and efficient service.
• La Feria – an Andalucían Restaurant on Cold Bath Road with amazing tiled decor inside and outdoor heated patio dining area. Serves delicious tapas and rotisserie chicken with Spanish flavours – it has a winning formula and is still our favourite eatery in Harrogate.
• William and Victorias (‘Will and Vics’) – long-standing restaurant specialising in British classics, in a wine bar style room on the lower floor. Come hungry as typically they serve large portions.
• Konak Meze – delicious Turkish food on Mount Parade, in quiet dining rooms where it feels you are being welcomed into someone’s home and fed very, very well!

Because Harrogate is a conference town then there are lots of options for eating out in addition to those suggested above – you will easily find something to suit your tastes and budget.

There are just too many options to list here, and in the current climate, sadly too many which come and go.

Extend your evening at one of Harrogate’s many venues

The dates of your weekend in Harrogate may coincide with a show at the Harrogate Theatre, Royal Hall, or International Convention Centre, or alternatively you could explore other live music options at The Blues Bar or Montey’s Bar.

After all of that, you will need to book a week off work to recover from your weekend break in Harrogate, or come for a longer Staycation!

Where to stay in Harrogate?

As a conference town there are lots of accommodation options in Harrogate, including some very large hotels.  As the options are numerous, here are some suggestions across the board:

• Luxury stay – Rudding Park Hotel & Spa, on the edge of Harrogate a short taxi ride away.
• Classic large hotel in centre of town – DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel and Spa.
• With historical links – The Swan Hotel due to its links with Agatha Christie and stories from WWII.
• Smaller but perfectly formed central hotels – Hotel du Vin, West Park Hotel, The Studley Hotel.
• Cost conscious options – Holiday Inn on Tower street, or Premier Inn Harrogate South on the railway line at Hornbeam station into Harrogate.

Disclaimer – there are so many wonderful places to visit in Harrogate that I cannot possibly mention them all here, so apologies to those who have been missed out in this blog. These are just some of the places tried and tested by me or the family and our visitors.

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