19 Best Things To Do In Harrogate: A Local’s Guide
Beautiful Harrogate is an inviting English spa town packed with upmarket boutiques, superb places to eat and fabulous Turkish baths. It’s a great place for a day trip or a relaxing weekend break.
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From exploring historic houses and award-winning gardens to enjoying the great outdoors, there are lots of exciting things to do in Harrogate.
Surrounded by some of Yorkshire’s most beautiful towns, Harrogate is compact and easy to explore on foot. It’s also the perfect base for discovering the more comprehensive attractions of the Yorkshire Dales – one of the UK’s most popular national parks.
Harrogate has been my hometown for almost a decade, so I’ve explored it thoroughly. From a local perspective, I can share the best things to do in Harrogate.
This travel guide shares the best things to do in Harrogate town and the local area. It includes everything you need to know about where to eat and stay and how to find a few favourite hidden gems.
Quick Tips For Visiting Harrogate
Best Place to Stay | Hotel du Vin or the Yorkshire Hotel
How to Get Around | Private Car, Walking, Bus, Bicycle, Taxi
Top Places to Visit | Turkish Baths, Harlow Carr, Valley Gardens
Insider Tips | Mama Doreens, Nomad Cafe
Best Tours | Harrogate Food & Walking Tour & Harrogate Beer Tours
Best Money Saver: Local buses
18 Best Things To Do In Harrogate
Put on your comfy walking shoes and get set to explore. You might be surprised at how many attractions you can see in Harrogate in a day!
Let’s get stuck into the most popular things to see in Harrogate and the best activities.
1. Enjoy Afternoon Tea at Bettys Café Tea Rooms
First opened in 1919, Bettys Tea Room is a Yorkshire institution. Many visitors agree that indulging in Betty’s afternoon tea is one of Harrogate’s best things to do.
Think starched white linens, immaculately dressed waiting staff and the most scrumptious cakes. Add silver service tea or coffee from a vast choice of blends or a cheeky glass of fizz, then relax.
Top Tip: Ask for a window seat overlooking Montpellier Street, as it’s the best location for people-watching.
There’s ALWAYS a queue, but it’s worth it for the food and the experience.
Top Tip: On a tight budget? Forget about eating in the tea room! Pick up a fat rascal (like a huge fruit-filled scone) from Betty’s shop (next to the team rooms) and a cuppa from Caffe Nero to enjoy in Montpellier Gardens (opposite Bettys).
2. Relax at Harrogate Turkish Baths (the best spa in Harrogate)
Visiting the iconic Victorian Turkish Baths is one of the best things to do in Harrogate for history and architecture lovers.
This is so much more than a luxury spa in Harrogate – the Turkish Baths are the only complete, fully working Victorian Baths in Britain.
TIP: Set aside at least two hours if you plan to try the baths (recommended) or visit early for the inexpensive 45-minute guided tour!
Prepare to be wowed by the fabulous Moorish architecture from Harrogate’s heyday as one of the best spa towns of Europe!
READ NEXT: My review of the Harrogate Turkish Baths Tour
3. Picnic in Valley Gardens
Valley Gardens is a relaxing and captivating place to visit. Its gardens have differing styles and a variety of attractive garden buildings.
Check out the benches here (and throughout Harrogate), which feature cast iron serpents as the uprights. The town wanted an emblem to signify that it was a health spa – they chose serpents as they entwine the staff of Aesculapius (the Greek God of Health)!
The part of the gardens known as Bogs Field is where 36 different mineral wells were discovered – more mineral springs than any other known place!
Most footpaths are suitable for manual and electric wheelchair users, and there are disabled toilets.
These colourful gardens are open 24 hours a day, all year round.
4. Visit the Royal Pump Room Museum & taste the spa waters (if you’re brave)
The Royal Pump Room was where people came to drink from Europe’s strongest sulphur spring, the Old Sulphur Well. It was also a place to meet and be seen, as it offered protection from Harrogate’s changeable weather!
Here, you can discover Harrogate’s connection to Russian royalty, see displays of old-fashioned shops, and explore life in a bygone era.
During your visit you’ll learn about Harrogate’s natural spring waters and why the Harrogate spas became so popular. If you’re brave, you can even taste the spa waters!
5. Amble Through the RHS Garden Harlow Carr
The 19th-century Royal Horticultural Society Harlow Carr Garden is a 68-acre oasis of delight for garden lovers.
Highlights include the Edwardian garden, which celebrates Gertrude Jekyll’s gardening skills, the kitchen garden, and the sensory delights of the scented garden—best seen in summer when billowing roses and summer-flowering perennials scent the air.
After your visit, nip into the Bettys café tea rooms for top-notch refreshments.
Top Tip: Ask for a seat on the terrace and drink in the lovely views of the gardens as you tuck into lunch or a sumptuous afternoon tea.
Harlow Carr is 1.3 miles from Valley Gardens. The lovely one-hour walk passes through the pine woodlands of Harlow Hill. Alternatively, the X6A bus from Harrogate bus station is a 10-minute journey.
Pro Tip: Pop into Harrogate Tourist Information Centre on Crescent Road for a map and a discounted entry ticket for Harlow Carr, or download the map here.
6. Go Gin Tasting at Spirit of Harrogate
Rated #1 of TripAdvisor’s best things to do in Harrogate, the Spirit of Gin package will help you learn the fascinating history of gin, including the original styles of gin, the misery of the London gin craze and how gin has developed today.
Alternatively, the fabulous Master Distiller experience offers a guided tasting session to find your preferred style of gin – one you’ll make in the session.
You can select your own botanicals, use your own mini copper still and take your personally labelled creation home. You’ll also get to try different gins from the Slingsby range, including their fabulous Yorkshire rhubarb gin and the incredible marmalade gin!
Read Next: A Sensational Gin Distillery Tour in North Yorkshire
7. Discover the Stray (the “Two Hundred Acres”)
The Stray is a 200-acre park moments from the bustle of Harrogate town centre. It’s been the place for the people of Harrogate to relax since it was created in 1778 from the forest of Knaresborough.
Over the years, the Stray has been used for grazing livestock, turned into allotments and wheat fields during WWII, and it’s even been used as an airfield for light aircraft. Protected by an Act of Parliament, today it’s open grassland, crisscrossed by tree-lined paths.
In early Spring, you’ll be treated to a carpet of purple as millions of crocus peep through the frozen ground. Weeks later, these fade and give way to nodding golden daffodils before the long lines of cherry trees burst into life to show off their iconic pink blossom in May.
➡️ Check out all the best places to see cherry blossoms in Harrogate 🌸
8. Join Harry’s FREE Walking Tour
Take a gentle stroll with Harry, whose FREE 80-minute tour of Harrogate town centre will entertain and inform you. You’ll also discover Harrogate’s role in defeating the Axis forces during WWII.
There’s no need to book for this gentle introduction to the history of Harrogate spa town, but be generous with your tip if you enjoy the experience.
Good to know: Tours run at 10.30, 12.00 and 13.30 from Friday to Sunday.
9. Browse the Stores in the Montpellier Quarter
Once known as the “Antiques and Art Centre of the North“, the Montpellier Quarter is home to over 50 exclusive, independent shops, health and beauty salons, pavement cafes, bars and award-winning restaurants.
Revel in the stylish surroundings, beautiful gardens, charming lamp posts, floral hanging baskets and cobbled streets. Pick one of the quaint street cafes for a bite to eat, or take your credit card for a serious shopping mission!
Good to know: Plenty of the cafes in Harrogate are dog-friendly!
9. Take a Day Trip to Knaresborough
For some of the best views in the area (and a pretty stunning sunset if you time it right), take the train to the pretty town of Knaresborough. The journey lasts only a few minutes and offers a superb view of the town’s iconic Victorian Viaduct high above the River Nidd.
The ruins of ancient Knaresborough Castle are a short walk from the train station, while the stunning paths along the River Nidd are the perfect place for a stroll with ice cream.
10. Explore Ripley Castle and Village
Charming, mellow-stoned Ripley is one of the most accessible places to visit near Harrogate—it is on the number 39 bus route to Ripon.
With a 14th-century country house known as Ripley Castle, super boutique shops, a friendly pub (The Boar’s Head) and “The World’s Best Ice Cream”, it’s a firm favourite spot for Harrogate locals.
11. Brunch at Nomad Cafe
Located on a pedestrianised street in the middle of town, this stylish Mediterranean eatery has a tempting menu and a cool, relaxed vibe. Nip in for breakfast, or pop back later for awesome baklava with a cuppa!
My favourite is the Swedish breakfast, while my son always opts for the tasty Turkish breakfast.
📍31 Beulah Street, Harrogate HG1 1QH
12. Stroll Along the Nidd Gorge & the Nidderdale Greenway
Amble back to Harrogate along the leafy, traffic-free Nidderdale Greenway through the Nidd Gorge.
You’ll walk along a dismantled railway line for about 4 miles, then cross the Nidd Viaduct, which soars high over the River Nidd, surrounded by ancient woodland and a wide variety of wildlife. The view is stunning!
13. Marvel at Brimham Rocks
Visiting Brimham Rocks in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is one of the most memorable things to do in Harrogate.
This National Trust site offers weird and wonderful rock formations to climb, miles of stunning moorland walks, and some of the finest views in Yorkshire.
Formed more than 100 million years before the dinosaurs roamed the earth, many of these towering rocks have names, including The Dancing Bear, The Sphinx and The Turtle, and a well-marked map indicates how to find them.
The number 24 bus from Harrogate bus station takes a scenic one-hour journey through pretty Yorkshire villages to Brimham Rocks. In a car, it’s a 30-minute drive.
14. Browse the Mercer Art Gallery
If you’re looking for art galleries in Harrogate, the Mercer Art Gallery is hard to beat. The elegant 200-year-old gallery started out as the Promenade Rooms, where Victorian spa visitors gathered to socialise.
Inside, the exhibitions change regularly, with opportunities to see national touring shows of painting, photography, sculpture and crafts. The Mercer Gallery also hosts exhibitions from the Harrogate District Fine Art Collection and showcases contemporary work by regional artists.
15. Catch a Show at the Royal Hall
In the evening, the breathtaking Royal Hall is one of Harrogate’s best places to visit. This 100-year-old ornate Edwardian performance theatre has spectacular decor, including a gilded ceiling and 950 plush seats.
The extensive and reasonably priced programme of live events throughout the year includes everything from classical music and opera to rock bands and keynote speakers, making visiting one of the best things to do in Harrogate.
16. Take in a Performance at Harrogate Theatre
The late Victorian Harrogate Theatre is ornately decorated and has 500 comfortable velvet seats.
A varied programme of comedy, drama and dance events throughout the year includes an award-winning annual pantomime.
Visiting the theatre is one of the best things to do in Harrogate at night, and it’s far less expensive than a night at the theatre in London!
📍 6 Oxford St, Harrogate HG1 1QF
17. Relax in a Comfortable Pub
Harrogate has a fabulous selection of great British pubs, many dog-friendly. Some of the best include:
- The Fat Badger – chic and glamorous, the place to “see and be seen.”
- Hales Bar – the oldest pub in Harrogate, with excellent beers and a secret beer garden
- Major Tom’s Social Club – youthful and vibrant, with an excellent café, beer bar and pizzeria!
18. Head For Pretty Pateley Bridge
To taste life in rural Yorkshire, head deep into North Yorkshire to pretty Pateley Bridge, the only town in the beautiful Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Apart from an insanely pretty high street, the oldest sweet shop in Britain, and the fascinating Nidderdale museum with a complete Victorian school room.
Pateley Bridge attracts visitors who love the great outdoors and enjoy the area’s challenging hiking and biking. The town also has charming pubs!
19. Follow In The Footsteps of Agatha Christie
In 1926, the world’s most famous crime writer – Agatha Christie – went “missing” for 11 days following the breakdown of her marriage and her mother’s death.
The story created international headlines when Mrs Christie was discovered in the historic Old Swan Hotel, where she claimed to have suffered from a complete loss of memory.
20. Climb Almscliffe Crag
A short drive to the outskirts of Harrogate will bring you to the Lower Wharfe Valley and the impressive Almscliffe Crag. A short climb up the crag will reward you with glorious views across the valley.
Top Tip: Whatever time of year you visit, you’ll need waterproof boots (wellies) if it’s been raining – or you will have VERY wet feet!
21. Enjoy Harrogate at Christmas
One of the loveliest things to do in North Yorkshire in the weeks before Christmas is to visit the Christmas markets in Harrogate. From gourmet food to top tipples from local brewers and gin distilleries to Christmas gifts galore, there’s plenty to see and a warm Yorkshire welcome.
The town is always festooned with lights, shops open late, and its restaurants will tempt you with their wide variety of Christmas menus.
Don’t leave it too late to book your accommodation for Christmas in Harrogate! The town gets very busy, and rooms are snapped up fast.
Things To Do In the Harrogate Surrounding Area
The countryside surrounding Harrogate is packed with attractions to tempt visitors of all ages and whatever their interests. You might enjoy these top places:
- Fountains Abbey: Venture into rural North Yorkshire to discover the UNESCO World Heritage site of a ruined 12th-century Cistercian monastery. It will take your breath away!
- Harewood House: One of the most impressive stately homes in the country and a filming location for the Downton Abbey movie! The house is fabulous, the formal gardens are massive, and there’s a deer park too!
- How Stean Gorge: The ultimate outdoor activities and adventures centre, offering everything from canyoning and canoeing to Via Ferrata and cave camping!
Where is Harrogate?
Harrogate is situated in North Yorkshire, in northern England, 30 minutes from Leeds, 45 minutes from York, and 2 hours from Manchester International Airport.
As the town is on the Yorkshire Dales National Park borders, one of the best things to do in Harrogate is visit the Yorkshire countryside made famous by James Herriot in All Creatures Great and Small.
How to get to Harrogate
Harrogate is easy to visit by road, rail and bus.
If you’re driving to Harrogate from London or Edinburgh, leave the A1 motorway at junction 47 and follow the A59 straight into the town. If you’re planning to drive up via Leeds, follow the A61. Harrogate is well signposted from Leeds.
The comfortable number 36 bus from Transdev will whisk you along the scenic A61 between Leeds and Harrogate in around an hour. Sit upstairs for the best views!
The Harrogate train station is just over 30 minutes from the cities of York and Leeds, where national onward connections are available. Leeds Bradford is the closest airport to Harrogate, and Manchester offers the nearest international airport.
Best time to visit Harrogate
Harrogate is a tourist hot spot all year round. It boasts stunning green spaces, abundant scenic walks when the weather is warm, and plenty of cosy indoor activities for a winter visit.
The town is busiest during the peak summer months and a popular winter destination thanks to the excellent Harrogate Christmas Markets.
Harrogate hosts multiple events and festivals throughout the year. Some of the best-known include the Great Yorkshire Show and the Crime Writing Festival in July, the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in August. The Harrogate Literature Festival runs in October.
Harrogate is renowned for its floral displays. The Harrogate Flower Show is incredibly popular, with spring and autumn (fall) events. Harrogate Flower Show coach trips are highly sought-after.
The town is always packed for big events, and you will need to book your accommodation early.
FAQ – Things to Do in Harrogate
How do I spend a day in Harrogate?
If you only have one day free to visit Harrogate, take Harry’s tour of the town, stroll through Valley Gardens and take afternoon tea in Bettys Tea Rooms before a spot of window shopping.
Is it worth visiting Harrogate?
Absolutely! Harrogate is a wonderfully walkable town with beautiful gardens, a thriving high street, great places to eat, and the Yorkshire Dales on its doorstep.
What is the famous street in Harrogate?
Montpellier Street and the surrounding Montpellier Quarter are packed with classy boutiques and cafes—perfect for a stroll and a browse!
How long should I spend in Harrogate?
A long weekend is the perfect amount of time to explore Harrogate and experience the surrounding Yorkshire Dales. Stay longer, and you’ll see much more!
Is parking free in Harrogate?
No. Parking charges apply for on-street parking and parking in all of the town’s car parks.
How far is Harrogate from the beach?
The nearest beach to Harrogate (by a whisker) is Saltburn, 57 miles away (a 90-minute drive through the glorious North York Moors).
Is Harrogate good for a weekend away?
Harrogate is perfect for weekends away, and it’s not plagued by the raucous stag/hen party crowds seen in larger towns and cities.
Is there a park and ride for Harrogate?
No. Harrogate doesn’t have a park-and-ride; however, the town has plentiful public (paid) parking.
What day is Harrogate Market on?
Harrogate hosts a farmer’s market in Cambridge Street on the second Thursday of each month, with a variety of stalls of fresh and organic produce direct from producers.
Are there many shops in Harrogate?
Harrogate has a good number and variety of shops to tempt all shoppers, from antiques and collectables to independent boutiques and well-known high-street brands.
What is Harrogate’s nickname?
Harrogate is also known as “The English Spa”.
Wrap Up – What to Do in Harrogate
I can’t recommend a visit to Harrogate highly enough.
Even with just one or two days to spare, you’ll have enough time to discover and enjoy the best things in Harrogate, eat at great restaurants and see some of the most beautiful places in the country from this lovely town at the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
More tips for your trip to Harrogate:
- Where to Stay in Harrogate
- Harrogate Turkish Baths
- Dog-Friendly Places to Eat in Harrogate
- 11 Amazing Castles to Visit Near Harrogate
- Where to Find the Best Afternoon Tea in Harrogate
- Exactly Where to See Harrogate’s Spectacular Spring Cherry Blossom
And ideas for your Yorkshire itinerary
- What to Pack for Yorkshire – A Complete Packing List
- The Most Beautiful Towns in Yorkshire
- York: The Perfect Weekend In York, The Best Day Trips From York
- Leeds: One Day in Leeds Itinerary & Best Day Trips From Leeds
- Sheffield: Amazing Free Things to do in Sheffield
READ ALSO: Traditional Yorkshire Food & Christmas Markets in Yorkshire
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