Harrogate is a popular spa town in North Yorkshire, England. The town has long been renowned for its mineral springs since their discovery in the 16th century by William Slingsby. The water from these springs was believed to have special healing powers.
Wealthy locals were among the first to try the healing waters from the springs and wells. However, by the 1700s, word about the medicinal waters of the springs had gotten out, and the town started seeing visitors from all over the country.
It was also at this time that the town transitioned from the rustic wells to well-developed bathing houses. And as the railway made travel easier during the Victorian era, the town’s popularity as a spa town only grew, attracting aristocrats from all over Britain.
But there’s more to Harrogate than its rich history as a spa town. In fact, the town has consistently been named as one of the happiest places in England. Read on if you’re a tourist keen to visit Harrogate and understand what makes the town so special.
Things to do in Harrogate
Here are four of the most exciting activities you can do in the elegant North Yorkshire town of Harrogate.
1. Learn about the town’s history at the Royal Pump Room Museum
Of course, the first thing you’ll want to do when you visit Harrogate is learn about its rich history and how it ended up being one of the best spa towns in Britain.
For some context, Harrogate was named among the best spa towns in the UK by The Independent, alongside Buxton, Malvern, and Cheltenham.
The Royal Pump Room Museum is the best place to go to learn about the town’s history. The Pump Room was opened back in 1842. It was one of several spa buildings that were developed to meet the growing demand for the medicinal waters of the Harrogate springs.
This building replaced the previous buildings that covered the Old Sulphuric Well. It protected the well (and its water) from the elements, while still giving visitors access to the water at a charge. A tap providing free access to the water was also installed outside the building. This made sure that even the poor could access the healing waters.
However, as countries shifted to modern health practices in the 20th century, the wells in Harrogate shut down one by one, including The Royal Pump Room. The Pump Room would then reopen its doors to the public in 1953, but this time as a museum.
Today, the museum houses some of the artifacts from the town’s spa heyday. You can also take a walk in the basement, where you might still be able to smell the once famous sulphur wells. The tap that used to provide free access to the sulphur water is also present to this day.
2. Bathe at the Turkish bath houses
After learning about the town’s rich history, the next step is to get the Victorian bathing experience at the Turkish bath houses.
The Turkish baths were established in 1897, making them a key part of Harrogate’s history as a spa destination. But the best part is that these baths continue to operate today.
Start your trip with a guided tour by one of the resident historians. These tours are done in the morning before the baths open to the public for treatment. The historian will take you through the history of the Turkish baths as well as the overall history of Harrogate.
After the history, sign up for a session to experience the Turkish baths for yourself. You can sign up for a standard massage or specialist treatments like therapeutic oncology massage and balanced body and mind.
Facial treatments like sublime skin hormone-aging, hydramemory facial, luminant brightening facial, and bespoke facial treatment are also available. They also have a cafe you can visit for some snacks and beverages after your treatment.
Speaking of snacks and beverages…
3. Dine at Harrogate’s restaurants
Harrogate has a good selection of restaurants to choose from. Perhaps the most famous of them all is Bettys Café Tea Rooms, which opened its doors back in 1919!
Bettys cafe tearooms have grown to become a popular tourist destination. Stop by to enjoy their famous afternoon teas served with savoury pastries. They also tend to have a pianist perform on Thursday and Saturday evenings, which makes the experience all the more delightful.
The Ivy Harrogate Brasserie and Garden is one of the other popular Harrogate restaurants you may want to visit. The restaurant serves contemporary British cuisine and some international Ivy-inspired classics. Customers also love the restaurant for its fabulous decor and vibrant atmosphere.
4. Take a walk through the Valley Gardens
Valley Gardens is a 17-acre, award-winning park located near the Royal Pump Room museum. In fact, the main entrance faces the museum, though you can also access the park from Valley Drive and Cornwall Road.
The Valley Gardens is a picturesque park with spectacular floral displays. Your walk through the garden will also take you through 36 of Harrogate’s mineral wells. Yeah, you can’t get away from the wells when you’re in Harrogate.
The garden has other attractions, including a model boating pond, tennis courts, putt golf course, children’s play area, BMX park, and the King Edward VII memorial gate.
Conclusion
From the iconic Royal Pump Room museum and the historic Turkish bath houses to Bettys specially selected teas and the scenic Valley Gardens, Harrogate is an amazing town with plenty to offer.
So, what’ll be your first stop when you arrive?
