Harrogate Travel Guides

Harrogate spotlight

Nightlife and Entertainment in and Around Harrogate

You'll find plenty do after dark in Harrogate. In the centre of town, there are clubs, discos, cafés, and bars offering live jazz and rock. There are also several large cinemas showing the latest mainstream movies in Harrogate and Ripon, as well as a few smaller theatres and cinemas that show independent and arthouse films.

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From Country Inns to City Chic - Where to Stay In and Around Harrogate

You're spoiled for choice when it comes to finding a place to stay in Harrogate or nearby. In the town centre, you'll find cozy, family-run guesthouses and bed-and-breakfast places, stylish boutique properties, restaurants with rooms, and independent hotels, as well as chain hotels. Outside of town, small inns and B&Bs cluster in and around Ripon and Masham.

Shopping in Harrogate - From Antiques and Artisan Workshops to Farmers' Markets and Food Halls

Harrogate's compact centre is made to measure for window-shopping. You'll find plenty of quirky, individual boutiques, art galleries, and antique stores in the arcades and streets in the middle of Harrogate, and an assortment of larger malls and chain stores nearby. Farmers' markets are held in many smaller towns and villages around the region, where you'll also find artists' studios and artisans' workshops.

Top Attractions and Experiences in and Around Harrogate and the Yorkshire Dales

Historic buildings in Harrogate and in neighbouring towns and villages include medieval castles and cathedrals, stately homes, and ruined abbeys. Nearby, you'll find landscaped parks and gardens in the centre of town and on Harrogate's outskirts. For wilder spaces, big skies, and a blast of the freshest air in England, make for the Yorkshire Dales.

A Harrogate City Guide - History, Heritage, and Natural Beauty in the Yorkshire Dales

Looking for a short, romantic break in a historic spa town full of graceful Victorian architecture? Seeking a base for an active family holiday amid some of England's finest scenery? Fascinated by medieval castles or stately homes? You'll find all of these, and more, in and around Harrogate. The wide open spaces of the Yorkshire Dales unfold just minutes from town.

Family Fun in Harrogate and the Yorkshire Dales

Families will find plenty of activities in and around Harrogate to keep children of all ages happy. For younger kids, there are play areas in city parks and gardens with slides, swings, and climbing frames. Active older children will enjoy outdoor activities like cycling and zip lines. Indoor attractions include museums such as the Royal Pump Room Museum. Historic buildings like Ripley Castle offer guided tours tailor-made for younger visitors.

Arts and Culture in Harrogate and the Yorkshire Dales

Harrogate and the Yorkshire Dales have a vibrant cultural scene. The region's landscapes, picturesque villages, and romantic ruins have inspired generations of painters. Over 2 centuries, benefactors have endowed Harrogate with theatres and galleries. In summer, you can enjoy open-air music and drama at castles, parks, and gardens in and around Harrogate.

Mouthwatering Places to Eat and Drink in and Around Harrogate

Harrogate offers culinary options to suit all tastes and budgets. Traditional tearooms and cafés serve up fresh-baked cakes and pastries, and pubs and Michelin-starred restaurants boast of using only fresh, locally sourced seasonal produce. As well as traditional English food, you'll find cuisine from all over Europe, as well as eateries that offer everything from Indian and Chinese cooking to Tex-Mex.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit to Harrogate and the Yorkshire Dales

Harrogate is a welcoming city destination in its own right, as well as the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales, a region of wide open spaces and cozy towns and villages. The city is packed with historic attractions, museums, shops, and places to eat, and enjoys an ethnic diversity that lends spice to local culture and cuisine.

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