Harrogate is a hotspot for a weekend getaway, a place to relax, indulge and socialise with friends and loved ones. There’s something incredibly charming about our lovely hometown town which has been voted one of the best and happiest places to live.
We’ve pulled together our guide on the best things to do and the best places to visit in this beautiful spa town in 2023…
Food & Drink
First and foremost, it’s not a true trip to Harrogate without stopping by Betty’s Tea Rooms. Betty’s is a piece of Harrogate heritage and boasts some of the best of British cuisine. We recommend visiting them for breakfast as their Rosti is divine or why not book in for the exquisite Lady Betty Afternoon Tea, which is served upstairs in the beautiful Imperial and Beaumont Rooms.
Whether you’re looking to start your day right with a tasty breakfast or just wanting to rest your feet over a nice lunch, Harrogate boasts a fantastic range of cafes and eateries to choose from. Fancy a pub lunch? Visit The Fat Badger or The Yorkshire. Fancy a quirky dish or to try something new? Visit The Wild Plum or Hoxton North.
Looking for a romantic dinner spot or a great place to catch up with friends, there’s endless options for your evening meal. From the popular Ivy to the Harrogate institution William & Victoria, from Thai delights at Giggling Squid to Italian specialties at Gianni’s Brio there truly is something for everyone. For more ideas, check out of Favourite Harrogate Eats blog here.
Harrogate nightlife has plenty to offer adults of all ages too. From trendy wine bars to laidback rock cafes and homely country pubs, you can find the perfect beverage to quench your thirst in one of Harrogate’s many bars and pubs including Threes a Crowd, Banyan, The West Park, Revolution De Cuba, Pitcher & Piano, Manahatta and Foundry Project.
Shopping
The Montpellier Quarter is home to an array of exclusive shops, pavement cafes, bars and award-winning restaurants – it’s also where our Spirit of Harrogate store is situated! Choose to while away an afternoon browsing the great range of shops including Toast, Owl Store, Oaks Ladieswear and be sure to pick up some Farrahs of Harrogate from the Olde Sweet Shop.
We also have a great range high street shops in the centre of Harrogate including Oliver Bonas, Hoopers, Mint Velvet, River Island, Whistles and LK Bennett to name just a few.
Things To Do
A trip to Harrogate wouldn’t be complete without swinging by Spirit of Harrogate for a unique gin experience. Our Master Distiller experience will help you find your favourite style of gin before distilling your very own bottle to take home – all while sampling the award-winning Slingsby range of course!
There’s also so many lovely walks to do during your trip too. Explore The Stray, Harrogate’s best-know landmark and 200acres of grass parkland. Visit in spring to see The Stray in all its glory as millions of crocuses come into flower, which give way to daffodils, and then the long lines of cherry blossom trees and their iconic pink covering. There’s also Valley Gardens and Harlow Carr Gardens to visit and enjoy.
Immerse in local history and discover more about Harrogate’s spa town heritage at the Royal Pump Room Museum or relax in the Turkish Baths, there’s lots of treatments and packages to choose from.
We also recommend a trip to Rudding Park, especially the Rudding Park Kitchen Garden. Located just outside of Harrogate and home to 12 of the botanicals found in Slingsby Gin, you will find over 100 different herbs, salads, edible flowers and fruits which are grown to offer guests something different when they dine and stay at the spa hotel.
We hope after reading this blog you’ll soon be booking your weekend break to Harrogate. Make sure to visit our team at the Spirit of Harrogate store and experience to sample our award-winning gins and try our development range of spirits… you could even take home a Slingsby souvenir for your loved ones.
(featured image sourced at https://pixabay.com/photos/england-building-flowers-garden-72316/)