In the heart of Yorkshire, Harrogate is the “definitive spa town…. Its thriving streets buzz with busy Harrogate shops and eateries” (visitharrogate.co.uk). Our week here will allow us to experience the charming shops, iconic buildings, and indulgent restaurants that make Harrogate “The Jewel of the North.”
So, to help all of us sample the best of the city, here are a few links to explore, guaranteed to whet our appetite for all that Harrogate has to offer:
What to Do
The Church of St Wilfred—“A magnificent Grade 1 listed church, open daily to visitors and just a short scenic walk from the centre of town. Designed by renowned architect Temple Moore and his son-in-law Leslie Moore, the church, cloisters, hall and cottage are the only Grade 1 listed buildings in the town of Harrogate. The church welcomes visitors every day, and has daily services. The church is open to the public from 9am to 6pm most days and entry is free of charge.” About a 15-minute walk from Acorn Lodge.
The Mercer Gallery—“Built 200 years ago as the Promenade Rooms, this magnificent building was a place for spa visitors to socialise. It later became a theatre, then Town Hall, before its rebirth as the Mercer Art Gallery in 1991.You will find a wide range of ever-changing exhibitions, perhaps a national touring show of painting, photography, sculpture and crafts, or an exhibition drawn from the Harrogate District Fine Art Collection, and contemporary work by regional artists. Entry is free!” About a 10-minute walk from Acorn Lodge.
The Royal Pump Room Museum—“The Royal Pump Room was built by Isaac Shutt in 1842 to provide shelter for the town’s affluent visitors as they took the famous waters. At its peak, each summer the Pump Room attracted 15,000 people. Among its most famous visitors was Tsarina Alexandra of Russia in 1911. The annex was added in 1913 to cater for the expanding visitor numbers, and now houses the permanent exhibition and the museum shop.” About a 10-minute walk from Acorn Lodge.
The Spirit of Harrogate—In the spirit of enjoying your holiday in Harrogate, you may want to sample the local water turned to gin. “In 1571 William Slingsby discovered the unique properties of the natural spring water from Harrogate’s Tewit Well. His discovery brought thousands of visitors to ‘take the waters’ which was thought to have medicinal properties and to this day, people from all over the world visit the spa town to restore their body, mind and soul. Slingsby Gin seeks to capture the 'Spirit of Harrogate'; synonymous with its beautiful and restorative nature and deliver it in a bottle for you to enjoy.” About a 12-minute walk from Acorn Lodge.
Where to Shop
See why Harrogate district is the shopping capital of Yorkshire—"Once a popular destination for European high society, nowadays Harrogate shopping is just as fashionable and you can find all the leading high-street names with their quality brands sitting alongside stylish independents. Large brand name shops can also be found in the Harrogate's Victoria Shopping Centre.”
Boutique Clothing Shops in Harrogate—If you’re into vintage shopping, you’re in luck! Not only does Harrogate have an impressive array of shops, you have a professional boutique shopper in your midst: Emmeline!
Harrogate Fair Trade Shop—"Our craft products are often handmade, recycled and sustainable - things made from scrap or with a conscious desire to reduce their impact on the planet. When you buy a fair trade gift from us, you're not just buying a present for a friend or family member you're helping someone you don't know on the other side of the world. Every product has a story behind it, of courage, humanity and a desire to see things change, and when you buy from us, you're part of that story too.”
Yarn Shop—For the knitters amongst us, be sure to check out Yarn Etc. “Entering into Yarn Etc’s Harrogate store is like entering the rainbow with brightly its coloured yarns in a huge array of weights and fibres. Ranging from fully traceable British yarn from Fi’s brand-new yarn venture, The Harrogate Yarn Company, to Eco Yarns and Recycled Yarns, Cottons, Linens, Acrylics, Silk and Cashmere blends – there really is something for everyone’s taste and budget.”
Where to Eat
Harrogate has a plethora of dining options, over 125 according to Open Table. To help narrow it down and save us a TON of sleuthing (delightful as that is), we asked the owner of Acorn Lodge what she recommends. And here you have it. (NOTE: recommendations are highly recommended.)
Papa’s—"We grew up on the shores of the Mediterranean Riviera where we always had fresh vegetables in our garden, which influences our home cooking today. We were inspired by our grandparents who used very old recipes passed down from generations. Now we have the opportunity to express ourselves by continuing to cook with passion and make our grandparents proud.”
Saranda—Serving authentic Greek, Albanian, and Mediterranean cuisines, Saranda is “passionate about providing you with delicious food and fine wines, all in a relaxing atmosphere.”
The Tannin Level—"Our philosophy at the Tannin Level is simple. Yorkshire on a plate. The very best Local, seasonal ingredients, inspired by the Yorkshire countryside from whence they are sourced. Our chefs take these beautiful ingredients to create mouth-watering modern British dishes right here on the premises.”
Three’s a Crowd—"A modern gastro pub, serving quality British food in a relaxed setting, using the best possible ingredients. With our ever-changing menu and hand-picked wine list, we're the perfect place to share a meal with friends and family (and dogs!).”
William & Victoria—“Harrogate’s longest running wine bar and one of the best loved independent restaurants in the area. Simple, classic dishes celebrating Yorkshire produce served in a friendly and welcoming environment.”
