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• March 9, 2023
• Days Out The Budget Series

Do you like to have a list of free activities and days out ready and waiting for when the kids are climbing the walls and need entertaining? If like me you love a day out in Harrogate that doesn’t make a huge dent in your purse, keep reading…

We have tried and tested each one of these; some of them will take all day, some just an hour, so why not mix and match to plan plenty of free days out in Harrogate?

This is the 2nd blog in my ‘Harrogate on a Budget’ series. Read the first here and keep an eye out for the 3rd ‘Days out in Harrogate under £10’ coming soon.

Harrogate Street Art Trail

Our newly launched street art trail is a great activity to do with the kids in tow. We’ve kept it relatively short so it’s suitable for everyone.

Head to the Harrogate Street Art Trail page to download a copy. Don’t forget to tag us in your pictures!

Knaresborough Painted Windows

I love these so much they have a full write up on the blog here . Can you find them all?

I’m fairly sure we haven’t discovered them all yet!

Just a few minutes drive from the town centre, and on the 36 route if you fancy going car free, is the gorgeous village of Ripley.

This is one of our go to places when we have a free afternoon and need to take it easy on the spends! Just beware the council have now introduced parking charges in the public car park *rolls eyes* but the roadside parking is still free.

Take a walk to the edge of the village to the play park or wander down the path on the outskirts of the castle for some great views and explore the woodlands.

Depending on the time of year, we love conker picking at Ripley, finding the bluebells in the woods and standing on tippy toes spotting deer over the wall.

Crimple Valley Viaduct

I like to tie this in with a walk around the Yorkshire Showground and exploring Hookstone Woods. Parking available at the woods (HG2 8PN) or just past Fodder (HG2 8NZ).

Take the bikes if you can as there’s plenty of open spaces at the showground and a course of ramps and jumps in the woods.

Make sure to take in the views and marvel at the viaducts. You’ll find plenty of woodlands and streams to play in too.

Valley Gardens

OK OK I know that if you live in Harrogate this is a pretty obvious suggestion but here me out….yes we all love a walk around the gardens and a play in the park but when is the last time you ventured to some of the lesser used areas?

• Set sail on the boating lake
• Taken your bike or scooter to the skate park
• Played pooh sticks in the streams
• Fed the ducks
• Made a wish in the fountain
• Explored the Japanese garden
• Tried to find all the well heads

The Coldstone Cut

Izzy and I only discovered this amazing place in covid times, where you had to stay close to home but be outside as much as you could.

The Coldstone Cut is Yorkshire’s biggest and highest public artwork! There’s a slight hill to climb to get there but once at the top you can explore the spiralling pathways which lead to two viewing platforms with 360 degree views of Nidderdale.

There is also a viewing area where you can look onto the neighbouring working quarry which is fascinating as well as a big hit with little ones who love diggers and trucks.

Use postcode HG3 5BJ to get you close and then follow the brown signs to the free car park.

Harrogate Walking Tour

I don’t know about you but I love playing tourist in my home town and one of the best things I’ve ever done was join one of Harry’s famous walking tours.

The tour takes 1 hour and 20 mins and sets off from the cenotaph at 10.30 & 12.00 Friday and Saturday (Oct-May). Head to the Harrogate Walking Tour website for more details on dates and times.

Even if you think you know all there is to know about Harrogate I promise you will learn something new.

Harrogate Street Art

Over the last few years more and more street art has popped up in the town centre. Why not get the smalls to help you find them all.

There’s the huge mural just off James Street and the portrait of the Queen in Montpellier, the mosaic letters leading from Cambridge Street to Oxford Street and the photo opportunities on station parade. There’s plenty to find if you just know where to look.

Try the Sulphur Water

When I was younger it was one of those things that we all did…dare each other to try the water at the Pump Rooms!

I remember visiting on a school trip and there would be 30 shot glasses ready for us all to take a sip but thanks to todays health and safety madness they are no longer allowed to do that! You can however, still press the button on the outside of the building and sample the smell and taste of the water that made our town famous!

The Nidderdale Greenway

The 4 mile cycle route between Bilton and Ripley is a great way to see some amazing scenery and get the kids outside for some exercise.

You can park at the bottom of Bilton Lane and head left which will take you all the way to Ripley, can you spot all the copper sculptures? It also takes you over the Nidd Gorge viaduct (featured in the Paddington 2 movie, you can see clips on my TV and Film locations blog). Is it just me or does that last guy look like Ant McPartlin?

Swinsty and Fewston Reservoirs

Another couple of places to get some fresh Yorkshire air and great places to feed the duck and skim stones. Just beware of the brave and cocky geese lol!

They can be walked separately or for a longer walk you can do both in one go. Use LS21 2NP for Swinsty parking or HG3 1SS for Fewston.

We aren’t massive walkers here at The Harrogate Fam so for much more detail and some other amazing suggestions make sure you check out The Reluctant Explorers page.

Ripon Cathedral

One of the most stunning structures in the area (IMO), Ripon Cathedral is beautiful both inside and out.

The kids always love looking at all the carvings in the wood. Can you find one of a griffin chasing a rabbit down a hole?

Lewis Carroll lived in Ripon as a young boy and his father was the canon of Ripon Cathedral, could this carving be the inspiration for Alice in Wonderland?

Knaresborough Riverside and Castle Gardens

I sometimes choose to do these as separate days out when I can’t face the steps from the bottom to the top!

If you’ve visited the blog before you’ll know that we like to take advantage of the free parking at St James Retail Park and walk along the riverside from here. (Check how long you are allowed to park because they keep changing it) Stopping around the viaduct for a coffee and ice cream before retracing our steps.

Along the way you can stop at St Roberts Cave and the Chapel of Our Lady of the Crag plus you might see some carved sculptures along the way too.

If you don’t fancy the climb up to the castle you can always parking the Castle car Park which is pretty cheap compared to Harrogate parking prices.

The views from up here are famous for a reason, I can’t help but take pictures every time I’m here, even though I have taken the same photo dozens of times before.

See I wasn’t kidding! Make sure you check out Bebra Gardens whilst you’re up here, if its a nice day there’s a little paddling pool for the kids too.

Spofforth Castle

Spofforth was the main seat of the Percy family – one of the most important and influential families in northern England – until the late 14th century. William de Percy, a favourite of William the Conqueror, built a manor house here in the 11th century, and it was reputedly here that rebel barons drew up Magna Carta in 1215. The surviving remains are those of a fortified manor house, dating mainly from the 14th and 15th centuries.

So basically it’s not a castle lol but still if your little legs like exploring ruins then this is a great place to visit for free in Harrogate.

There is no car park but parking is free along the roadside in the village.

I can’t not mention The Stray when talking of free things to do in Harrogate can I?

We are so lucky to have such wide green spaces all around us here in Harrogate. Beautiful at all times of the year but you are always in for an extra special treat in spring when we see the crocuses (or is it croci?), followed by the daffodils and finally the cherry blossoms.

Grab the kids, a picnic and some outdoor games and let them run free!

Mercer Art Gallery

The Mercer Art Gallery is 200 years old and started it’s life as the Promenade Rooms, this magnificent building was a place for spa visitors to socialise. Later in it’s life it became a theatre, then a town hall, before finally reopening as the Mercer Art Gallery in the early 90’s.

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.

Keep an eye on their website to see what exhibitions are on, they do quite a lot which would interest the kids.

Further Afield

As much as we love a free day out in Harrogate and we are truly spoilt for ideas, if you fancy a bit of a drive don’t forget we also have The Royal Armouries, Leeds City Museum, National Science and Media Museum and the Railway Museum all around a 30 minute drive away.

Phew! I know that’s a lot to take in but I hope it’s been helpful to inspiring. As always I keep adding to my blogs as I discover new places so please let me know if there is anywhere else I should feature in this or my under £10 blog.

THE 10 BEST Free Things to Do in Harrogate

Best free things to do in harrogate.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Couples
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Honeymoon spot
• Adventurous
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Brimham Rocks

2. Valley Gardens

3. Cold Bath Brewing Company

4. Fewston Reservoir

5. Mercer Gallery

6. The Stray

7. The Pinewoods

8. Visitor Information Centre Harrogate

9. Crescent Gardens

10. Commercial Street

11. St. Peter's Church

12. Washburn Heritage Centre

13. Harrogate Ringway

14. Almscliffe Crag Harrogate

15. Saint Wilfrid's Church

16. Harrogate Antiques Centre

17. Harrogate Library

18. Rooster’s Brewing

19. Beulah Street

20. Montpellier Mews Antiques Market

21. Victoria Shopping Centre

22. Castle Fine Art

23. Queen Victoria Monument

24. Harrogate Brewing Co

25. The Little Ale House

26. Blues Cafe Bar

27. Harrogate Tap

28. The Square & Compass

29. Queens Head - Kettlesing

30. Bacchus Wine & Cocktail Bar

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The 17 best things to do in Harrogate

From Turkish baths to Fat Rascals, national parks to retro shops, here’s why you should make Harrogate your next weekend trip

Yorkshire is one of the UK’s most brilliant offerings. It has inspired great works of literature, is home to cracking cities like Leeds and York , but has also got plenty to offer if you’re after a tranquil place to spend a day.  

Enter Harrogate. This charming, walkable little place is often overlooked by its much larger, louder metropolitan neighbours, but pay it a visit and you won’t be disappointed. It’s best known for cream tea and cobbled streets, but Harrogate has also got traditional baths and seriously good beer dotted throughout. So, why not have a look at our list of the best things to do in the North Yorkshire gem?

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Best things to do in Harrogate

1.  Unwind at the beautiful and relaxing Rudding Park

What is it? A beautiful and luxurious spa and hotel set amid 300 acres of picturesque grounds.  

Why go? To absolutely treat yourself in every way possible. Rudding Park has numerous treatments available from massages to facials and pedicures or if you simply wish to relax then the options are also plentiful. There are multiple saunas, a luxury steam room, a heated hydrotherapy infinity pool overlooking the gardens, an indoor pool, a sunlight therapy room and much more. Or simply relax with a cocktail on the sun deck or go and explore the sprawling greenery across the grounds. It truly is one of the most luxurious, relaxing and indulgent things you can do while in the area. 

Don’t miss: An equally luxurious lunch or dinner at the Horto Cafe or the Clocktower Brasserie.

2.  Stretch your legs at Brimham Rocks

What is it? A National Trust site of strange 30-foot high rock formations balancing on top of each other. The boulders have alluring names like The Sphinx, The Watchdog, The Camel, The Turtle and The Dancing Bear. Why go? Brimham Rocks  was form ed 320 million years ago, the boulders will leave you gawping at the brilliance of nature.

Don’t miss: There are plenty of walks to do, including a route from the village of Pateley Bridge which involves passing the oldest sweetshop in the world – as verified by the Guinness Book of World Records.

3.  Get your green fix at RHS Garden Harlow Carr

What is it? A gorgeous 58-acre garden and woodland at the foot of the Yorkshire Dales. Why go? If you’re after tranquility – and some stellar photo opportunities – Harlow Carr ’s your place. It’s full of incredible colourful plants and flowers from around the world – and it smells better than any perfume.

Don’t miss: Have a good stroll and then stop off at the garden’s smaller branch of Betty’s tea room...

4.  Pop over to nearby Knaresborough

What is it? A beautiful riverside town 3 miles from Harrogate. 

Why go? Because you can turn it into a nice stroll and walk there from Harrogate. Once there you can take in many of the lovely pubs or cafes, have a stroll along the river, visit the castle or market, all while encountering the beautiful postcard backdrop of the towering railway viaduct that stands above Nidd Gorge. 

Don’t miss: A pint in the riverside beer garden at the Mother Shipton Inn is a wonderful way to wrap up a day.

5.  Stroll down Cold Bath Road

What is it? A long row of interesting independent shops, pubs and cafes in a bohemian, Notting Hill-style part of town. Why go? It’s a fun street to explore. One of Cold Bath Road’s highlights is Bias , a boutique full of great British and Scandinavian labels, homeware and presents. Or, pick up exquisite vintage wear at Catherine Smith’s Vintage Boutique . Refuel with a drink at The Last Post. 

6.  Get steamy at the Turkish Baths

What is it? A beautifully designed steam room, plunge pool and spa with Moorish mosaics and terrazzo floors. Why go? The baths are what put Harrogate on the map in Victorian times and by the nineteenth  century had made the town one of Europe’s leading spas. Perhaps more importantly, though, the Turkish Baths are the ideal place to get a massage and steam yourself into serenity…  

Don’t miss:  Group sessions are the most affordable way to experience the steam, or if you want the luxe option you can combine your visit with various massage and facial packages.  

7.  Learn about the Dales’ history at the Nidderdale Museum

What is it? A few miles out of Harrogate in picturesque market town Pateley Bridge you’ll find this  quaint community-run museum in an old work-house telling the story of the local people and history of the Yorkshire Dales. Why go? Despite containing some fairly disturbing wax figures, Nidderdale is  adorable, genuinely interesting and the volunteers who run it are lovely and passionate. Different rooms show how life used to be, including an old Cobblers shop, school room and Victorian Parlour, and lots of quirky, fun facts to tell your friends – all for a £2 entry fee.

Don’t miss:  Round the corner, you’ll find King Street Workshops, a thriving group of artist studios where independent designer-makers make everything from glassware to jewellery. 

8.  Stop by Baltzersens

What is it?   A café that offers you the finest in Yorkshire-sourced ingredients but with a Scandinavian twist, for a taste of the Nordic in Harrogate. Baltzersen’s   also has a bakery on the outskirts of town. 

Why go?  An amazing lunch and brunch spot that serves up some of the freshest, tastiest grub in town. Not to mention some of the best coffee around. 

Don’t Miss:  The Pølse. A 100 percent Yorkshire smoked pork frankfurter with pickled  cucumber, crispy onions, maple mustard, ketchup and remoulade. Served in a Bakeri Baltzersen brioche roll. Vegan option available too.

9.  Eat a Fat Rascal at Bettys

What is it? Bettys  is a Yorkshire institution, an elegant, traditional café opened nearly a century ago by a Swiss confectioner. Don’t be deterred by the huge queue to get in, it’s worth the wait. 

Why go? The best place for afternoon tea . Think silver cake stands, staff in period costume, tea galore and a view of the pretty Montpelier Gardens.

Don’t miss: Make sure you have a Fat Rascal (a Yorkshire scone) to really feel like you’re in Gods Own Country.

10.  Get a dose of modern fine art at Mercer Art Gallery

What is it? A well-curated collection of nineteenth  and twentieth-century  art featuring artists William Powell Frith, John Atkinson Grimshaw, Sir Edward Burne-Jones, Dame Laura Knight and Alan Davie. Why go? As well as getting a dose of modern fine art, there are intriguing temporary exhibitions. And visiting the Mercer is a chance to see inside a 200-year old Harrogate gem, built in 1805 as one of the town’s first purpose-built spa rooms.

11.  Upgrade your Sunday lunch at The Fat Badger

What is it? A Victorian-style lofty-ceilinged pub with taxidermy and oil paintings galore. Why go? For the hearty Sunday lunch which you can eat in a cosy wooden booth – or if it happens to be a warm Yorkshire day, there’s a lovely green outside space. The Fat Badger is known as Harrogate ’s favourite pub. 

12.  Nurse a pint at Hales Bar

What is it? The oldest pub in Harrogate, built around 1827 and known then as the Promenade Inn.

Why go? Want to forget the twenty-first  century and feel like a Victorian? Hales Bar feels genuinely historic, with gas lighting making for a cosy atmosphere. Turn off your phone and settle in for the night.  The staff are chatty and warm, if you fancy an IRL conversation. 

13.  Sink a drink at Major Tom’s Social

What is it? An independent café and bar tucked down a Harrogate street selling craft beer, real ale and stone-baked pizza. Why go? There’s a youth club feeling to this place – it smacks of a time before responsibility, when you could hang out all day in the summer holidays, ‘Friends’-style. Major Tom’s Social  has board games, newspapers and comfy sofas and delicious pizza and beer.

Don‘t miss: Look out for the odd gig and record fair here, too. 

14.  Find literary gold at Books for All

What is it?  The only dedicated second-hand bookshop in Harrogate.

Why go? Floor-to-ceiling books that are well priced and thoughtfully selected, meaning you’re always likely to find a gem. 

Don’t miss: Books for All sells vinyl, CDs and DVDs too.

15.  Rummage at Space Vintage and Retro

What is it? A Retro and vintage clothing, furniture and records market-style shop over two floors, with a cafe. Or as it says, ‘1,500 sq/ft of vintage and retro loveliness’. 

Why go? To find a bargain that you simply couldn’t pick up in high street stores, be it women’s and men’s vintage clothing, mid-century furniture, vintage watches, jewellery, music, books or retro homewares. It’s also below Tom’s Social, so you can have a pizza and beer break mid-rummage. 

Don’t miss: The mid-century furniture. There’s some really beautiful and unique bits to pick up at Space . 

16.  Explore Valley Gardens

What is it?   An award-winning 17-acre English Heritage Grade II listed park, filled with themed gardens, floral displays and historic buildings. 

Why go? It really does tick all boxes for all people. There are multiple gardens, such as the Japanese garden and sensory garden, a cafe, tennis courts, paddling pool, boating pond, skate park and spectacular floral displays.   

Don’t miss: There’s a lovely walk that goes through the Valley Gardens , then onto the pine woods and comes out at Harlow Carr.

17.  Stay up dancing at Blues Café Bar

What is it? A friendly, buzzy café with quality live music every night. Why go? By day it’s a top-class café for lunch and tea and by night it’s an intimate speakeasy-style spot with good jazz and blues bands playing seven nights a week. Locals love Blues Café Bar , and fill it up most evenings.

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Home » Travel Guides » United Kingdom » England » 15 Best Things to Do in Harrogate (Yorkshire, England)

15 Best Things to Do in Harrogate (Yorkshire, England)

Often named as one of the best and happiest places to live in England, Harrogate is a cultivated spa town in Yorkshire.

From the 18th century Harrogate was frequented by aristocrats, industrialists and even a Tsarina, who came to take the waters, rich in sulphur, iron and salt.

That posh clientele brought great wealth to the town, still conspicuous in its dignified architecture, elegant parks, plush tea rooms, galleries and theatres.

Harrogate has one of only four Royal Horticultural Society gardens, and in the surrounding dales are castle ruins, stately homes and millstone grit rock formations hewn into surreal shapes by wind, water and ice.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Harrogate :

1. Valley Gardens

If you want to know what it was like to frequent Harrogate in its prime, Valley Gardens still resonates with that sense of refinement.

There are flowerbeds, woods, close-clipped lawns and rambling paths in 17 acres.

It was here that at “Bogs Field” that Harrogate’s springs were first discovered, 36 in total, and there are holdovers from the spa days in the refined shelters, the Magnesia Well Cafe, the Games Pavilion, the Sun Pavilion and the small stage that puts on concerts on Sunday afternoons in summer.

These more polished facilities are accompanied by a play area for kids, a paddling pool, a boating lake, crazy golf and a pitch & putt course.

On the gardens’ western cusp you can take a walking trail through the countryside to the RHS Garden at Harlow Carr.

2. Bettys Café Tea Rooms

A Harrogate institution, Bettys Café Tea Rooms were set up in 1919 by the Swiss confectioner and baker Frederick Belmont.

A century later, the business is in its fourth generation and is open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea, with a menu that infuses Swiss and Yorkshire traditions.

So that might be rösti at breakfast, schitzel at lunch and chocolate torte from the cake trolley.

But Bettys’ high reputation is based on its afternoon tea, which has the traditional platter of sandwiches, fancy handmade cakes, scones, clotted cream and strawberry preserves, all beautifully presented with silver and fine crockery.

3. RHS Garden Harlow Carr

On Harrogate’s western outskirts is one of only four gardens managed by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Harlow Carr was set up at a former Victorian spa on a natural spring in 1946 and is in almost 30 acres.

The bathhouse was turned into the garden study centre, while the Limestone Rock Garden is the scene of the capped spring, and still has a slight whiff of sulphur.

A leisurely stroll will take you through a tapestry of different environments, like a garden showing the development of horticulture and fashion over time, a scented garden, arboretum, a kitchen garden, woodland carpeted with bluebells, an alpine house, a lake dedicated to the Queen Mother, and many more than we could possibly list.

And to put an elegant cap on a visit there’s also a branch of Bettys Tea Rooms at Harlow Carr.

4. Mercer Art Gallery

In the refined former Promenade Rooms, the free Mercer Art Gallery houses the Harrogate District’s extensive art collection.

This is mainly centred on Victorian painters like Edward Burne-Jones, John Atkinson Grimshaw and William Powell Firth, but there are also pieces form the 20th century by the likes of Alan Davie and Laura Knight.

There are 2,000 works in the collection, and these are selected for diverse short-term exhibitions devoted to specific themes or movements and featuring paintings, drawings and prints.

5. Montpellier Quarter

The streets around Bettys Tea Rooms all make up the Montpellier Quarter, which was first developed by the entrepreneur George Dawson in the 1860s with the construction of the Montpellier Parade.

The quarter has more than 50 independent shops, and this being Harrogate most are angled towards high-income clientele.

There are haute couture boutiques, high-end gin shops, design shops, one-off jewellery stores, tapas bars, galleries, beauty salons and more than a few antiques shops.

And if you’re just here for some window shopping the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian spa architecture is a delight, and there are hanging flower baskets, gaslights to complement this rarefied atmosphere.

6. Royal Pump Room Museum

The Royal Pump Room is a handsome rotunda, built in 1842 as a shelter for people to drink from the strongest sulphur well in Europe.

In Harrogate’s heyday as a spa 15,000 people would enter this building every summer, while the delicate metal and glass annexe opened in 1913. The museum opened in the pump room in 1953 and delves into Harrogate’s glory days, remembering the Russia aristocrats and famous writers like Charles Dickens who happened upon the resort.

There are details about the routines that the spa’s visitors would follow, as well as authentic Georgian and Victorian clothing, a richly adorned Ancient Egyptian sarcophagus and an exhibition on Egyptology for kids.

You can also take a guided tour down into the basement to be blown away by that potent sulphur well.

7. Knaresborough Castle

A little way past Harrogate Golf Course in the neighbouring town of Knaresborough is what’s left of a castle over the River Nidd.

The remnants of Knaresborough Castle are gorgeous, but the building is also significant as a line of English monarchs (Henry I, King John, Edward I and Edward II) invested great funds developing the fortress.

It was also here in the 1170s that Hugh de Moreville, one of the men who assassinated Thomas Becket, took refuge after the act.

As a Royalist stronghold, the castle was pulled down in the English Civil war by the victorious Parliamentarians to avoid it being reused.

Much of its stone was recycled for buildings in Knaresborough, but much is still in situ.

On the upper floor of the adjacent courthouse there’s a museum with furniture from the Tudor Court and computer reconstructions of how the castle would have looked in the 1300s.

8. Ripley Castle

Three miles north of Harrogate is a glorious Grade I listed country house dating back to the 1300s.

Ripley Castle has been a residence for the Ingilby family for 26 generations.

On guided tours the family annals are presented to visitors, telling tales of romance, intrigue across 700 years.

The Old Tower, dating to the middle of the 16th century, is a treat, with stacks of antique books, fine wood panelling, porcelain, chandeliers and armour.

Also here is an authentic priest hole, built to conceal catholic clergy at a time of religious persecution in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Try to time your visit for spring, when the National Hyacinth Collection in the castle’s woodland is in bloom, along with some 150,000 flowering bulbs.

Also out in the grounds is a “Play Trail” for kids, while they can take special, fun tours of the castle.

9. Brimham Rocks

Meriting every second of the 20-minute journey into the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Brimham Rocks is a National Trust site where moorland, meadows and woods are littered with otherworldly millstone grit formations.

These rocks have been shaped over millennia by wind, water and glacial activity, and many are named.

There’s the Dancing Bear, the Camel, the Turtle, the Watchdog and the Sphinx, although you may have to use your imagination occasionally.

If there’s one you have to photograph it’s the top-heavy Idol Rock, a gigantic boulder balancing precariously on just a small nub.

10. Harrogate Theatre

People have been treated to live entertainment in Harrogate since 1788 when the Georgian Theatre catered to the crowds descending on the resort.

The Harrogate Theatre’s main house (1900) is on Cheltenham Parade, but the company also operates the Royal Hall, which we’ll talk about below, as well as a handful of other venues around the town.

The theatre has something for most ages and tastes, whether it’s award-winning drama, well-known touring musicians, children’s productions, opera, dance, classical soloists, choral performances, poetry readings or talks.

Something to mark in the diary is the annual Harrogate Comedy Festival, in the first two weeks of September, booking 53 performers at 34 shows.

11. Royal Hall

The prestige performance venue in Harrogate is the Plush Royal hall, which was completed in 1903 and designed by Frank Marcham, one of the busiest architects of the day.

The theatre was initially called the Kursaal, taking cues from similar venues at German spa towns, but changed its name to Royal Hall at the outbreak of the First World War.

The outside is understated and gives no hint of the Beaux-Arts splendour of the concert hall, which is ornately gilded and stuccoed.

The Royal Hall hosts many of Harrogate’s premier shows, concerts and talks, and is the anchor for the Harrogate International Festivals, a series of events in music and literature in summer.

12. Crescent Gardens

Very central, this neat green space is fringed by the Mercer Gallery and the Royal Hall and was laid out in the 1890s.

This was an oasis in the resort where people could roam and relax after taking Harrogate’s waters.

The spa amenities tracing the park have been turned into apartment buildings containing some of the most expensive homes in the North of England.

The park is fastidiously neat in any season and has gaslights, manicured flowerbeds and shrubs, and statues from the spa displayed where the bandstand used to be.

13. Spofforth Castle

Five miles in away in the namesake village, Spofforth Castle is a ruined fortified house built into the bedrock.

For nearly 300 years this was the seat of the Percy family, one of the most powerful families in Northern England.

The castle was founded by William de Percy, who arrived right after the Norman Conquest and was a mover and shaker in William the Conqueror’s court.

Like many strongholds in England, Spofforth Castle met its end in the English Civil War, and its remaining architecture dates from the 14th and 15th centuries.

The ruins are an English Heritage site, and it is believed that the rebel barons thrashed out the Magna Carta here in 1215.

14. Pateley Bridge Nidderdale Museum

Back out in picturesque Nidderdale, there’s an enlightening museum at a former Victorian workhouse in the market town of Pateley Bridge.

Workhouses were where destitute people were provided with employment (tough, manual labour), but also healthcare and education for children.

A building like this is just the place to paint a picture of Yorkshire life in days gone by, and the museum has an array of reconstructed scenes from Victorian times.

There’s a cobbler’s shop, a school room, a solicitor’s office, a Victorian parlour and kitchen, a joiner’s shop and a general store.

Also on show are agricultural tools, religious paraphernalia, various costumes and artefacts relating to 19th-century .

15. Plumpton Rocks

Four miles southeast of Harrogate is a Grade II listed pleasure garden created in the 1760s.

In 30 acres, Plumpton Rocks is full of millstone grit formations, weathered into strange shapes and given evocative names like Lover’s Leap, Lion’s Den and Needle’s Eye.

At the base of these rocks is a man-made lake, bordered by mature woodland, bedded with bluebells in spring and bright with rhododendron blossom in midsummer.

The most romantic view is looking north from the south end of the lake, and this scene was painted by J. M. W. Turner in 1797 as a commission by the estate’s owner, Edward Lascelles.

15 Best Things to Do in Harrogate (Yorkshire, England):

• Valley Gardens
• Bettys Café Tea Rooms
• RHS Garden Harlow Carr
• Mercer Art Gallery
• Montpellier Quarter
• Royal Pump Room Museum
• Knaresborough Castle
• Ripley Castle
• Brimham Rocks
• Harrogate Theatre
• Crescent Gardens
• Spofforth Castle
• Pateley Bridge Nidderdale Museum
• Plumpton Rocks

THE 10 BEST Free Things to Do in Harrogate

Best free things to do in harrogate.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Couples
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Honeymoon spot
• Adventurous
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Brimham Rocks

2. Valley Gardens

3. Cold Bath Brewing Company

4. Fewston Reservoir

5. Mercer Gallery

6. The Stray

7. The Pinewoods

8. Visitor Information Centre Harrogate

9. Crescent Gardens

10. Commercial Street

11. St. Peter's Church

12. Washburn Heritage Centre

13. Harrogate Ringway

14. Almscliffe Crag Harrogate

15. Saint Wilfrid's Church

16. Harrogate Antiques Centre

17. Harrogate Library

18. Rooster’s Brewing

19. Beulah Street

20. Montpellier Mews Antiques Market

21. Victoria Shopping Centre

22. Castle Fine Art

23. Queen Victoria Monument

24. Harrogate Brewing Co

25. The Little Ale House

26. Blues Cafe Bar

27. Harrogate Tap

28. The Square & Compass

29. Queens Head - Kettlesing

30. Bacchus Wine & Cocktail Bar

What travelers are saying

Places to visit in the Yorkshire Dales and Harrogate

Looking for things to do in Harrogate and the Yorkshire Dales? Walk among patchwork green valleys, craggy cliff faces, and farmland laced with limestone walls. It’s not tough to work out why the Yorkshire Dales feature so much on the big screen, appearing in Calendar Girls and the Harry Potter series. The hills are alive with the sound of wildlife – woodpeckers, cuckoos, and wood warblers. And as of late, they’ve been joined by the world’s biggest cycling event, the Tour de France. In August heather covers the moorland like a purple carpet. Follow the footsteps of Georgian gentry to spa towns like Harrogate to discover the pump rooms, manicured flower gardens, and quant tearooms.

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Coast to Coast Cycling

A challenging route from the Irish Sea to the North Sea.

Location: Whitehaven / Whitby

Explore some of England’s most dramatic caves

Head underground to gaze in wonder at the fascinating caves that form a major, but hidden, part of the Yorkshire Dales landscape.

Location: Ingleton, North Yorkshire

Bag some bon bons at England’s Oldest Sweet Shop

Evoke happy childhood memories with hundreds of retro sweets at The Oldest Sweet Shop in England.

Location: Harrogate, North Yorkshire

Be crowned king of the castle in glorious Skipton

Exercise your princely skills at North Yorkshire’s marvelous Norman keep.

Location: Skipton, North Yorkshire

Wild Swimming in Grassington

Grassington is an idyllic little Dales market town with a cobbled square, quirky shops and cosy pubs.

Location: Grassignton, North Yorkshire

Aysgarth Falls in the Yorkshire Dales

Aysgarth Falls are a dramatic set of waterfalls in Wensleydale.

Location: Aysgarth, North Yorkshire

Love springs eternal in the romantic spa town of Harrogate

A beloved destination for romantic breaks, this elegant spa town has luxurious hotels, top restaurants and exotic Turkish Baths.

Sample the great outdoors in Nidderdale

The striking scenery, character, historic landmarks and wildlife of this Yorkshire Dales Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are made for adventure.

Location: Pateley Bridge/Masham, North Yorkshire

Spoil yourselves in North Yorkshire’s country hideaways

Hidden away in spectacular grounds are luxurious grand halls and country houses where you can really spoil the one you love.

Location: Harrogate/Masham, North Yorkshire

Have a bloomin’ lovely time at the Harrogate Flower Show

Get your green fingers ready this prestigious gardening event in April, one of the biggest of its kind in the UK.

Take a brisk winter walk and curl up in a cosy pub

Wrap up for a winter stroll, warm up in front of a real fire, have a great meal and then admire the starry skies.

Location: Appletreewick, Yorkshire Dales National Park

Enjoy a rural break in Hawes in Wensleydale

Head to Hawes the home of Wensleydale Cheese, admire Hardraw Force waterfall and watch ropes being made in the traditional way.

Location: Hawes, Yorkshire Dales National Park

Explore the natural wonders of Malham

Enjoy Malham in the Yorkshire Dales at its tranquil best, with many of England’s finest landscapes a short walk away.

Location: Malham, Yorkshire Dales National Park

Discover the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales

A photographer’s dream, the Yorkshire Dales has many moods – from wild and windswept to quietly tranquil – each dramatically beautiful.

Location: Yorkshire Dales National Park, North Yorkshire

Seek out inspiring views atop Malham Cove

Follow in the footsteps of centuries of visitors – and more recently, filmmakers – to Malham Cove, a limestone amphitheatre in the Yorkshire Dales.

Location: Malham, North Yorkshire

Journey from coast to coast across England

A journey from coast to coast across Northern England takes you through stunning scenery and is an adventure you can make on foot or by bike.

Location: Various, North Yorkshire

Explore the stunning medieval Bolton Castle

Experience the incredible atmosphere of Bolton Castle where many of its rooms give the feeling that their inhabitants have just walked out of them.

Location: North Leyburn, North Yorkshire

Discover the hidden gem of Grimwith Reservoir

Grimwith Reservoir is one of the Yorkshire Dales' hidden gems tucked away off the road between Grassington and Pateley Bridge.

Location: Near Grassington, North Yorkshire

Climb aboard a classic steam railway at Bolton Abbey

Puffing through the Yorkshire Dales is the Embsay & Bolton Abbey steam railway where special events take place throughout the year.

Location: Wharfedale, Yorkshire Dales

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Towns and Villages Around Harrogate

Arkendale Arkendale is a small rural village situated one mile from the A1, four miles from Knaresborough and three miles from Boroughbridge. ... more details

Askwith Askwith is a small village, about 15kms southwest of Harrogate, on the north side of the river Wharfe between Ilkley and Otley. ... more details

Beckwithshaw A village true to its name, being originally bounded by streams and woods, the latter now unfortunately decimated somewhat. From a hamlet of a pub, a ... more details

Bilton Many people believe Bilton to be a suburb of Harrogate. This is not so. In fact Bilton existed as a village for centuries before the health-giving qua... more details

Birstwith Nestling in the fold of the hills, in the delightful valley of the Nidd, can found the one-time estate village of Birstwith. It has a long and varied ... more details

Bishop Thornton & Shaw Mills The parish of Bishop Thornton has always been an area of dispersed settlement with no main village, just hamlets. Its natural boundaries are streams w... more details

Brearton Evidence has been found of man's existence here as far back as 2000 B with the discovery of a scraper of the Bronze Age. A Roman road . thought to hav... more details

Burton Leonard The village of Burton Leonard nestles between the Great North Road (A1) and the busy Harrogate to Ripon road (A61). The holly trees which abound on ei... more details

Calcutt Calcutt, which lies on the outskirts of Knaresborough, includes Blands Hill, Thistle Hill and Forest Moor Road in its environment. ... more details

Collingham Collingham is situated on the bank of the river Wharfe some eight miles south of Harrogate, at a point where the plain of York first gives way to the ... more details

Coneythorpe with Clareton Clareton, mentioned in the Domesday Book, has only two houses left; both are inhabited, one a farmhouse, the other a farm worker's cottage. Coneythorp... more details

Coxwold Coxwold is one of the most picturesque villages in North Yorkshire. It lies on the edge of the Hambleton Hills, some 25 miles northeast of Harrogate a... more details

Dacre & Dacre Banks Dacre is an ancient word meaning 'trickling stream' and the village is mentioned in the Domesday Book as being 'waste'. Bounded by the river Nidd on i... more details

Darley This beautiful village is set between Birstwith and Dacre, on the banks of the river Nidd, some nine miles from Harrogate. ... more details

Denton Denton is situated in beautiful Wharfedale, about 15 miles west of Harrogate and 2 miles east of Ilkley. Denton Park estate covers 2500 acres of agric... more details

Easingwold Easingwold, about 25 miles northeast of Harrogate, lies on the busy A19 between York and Thirsk. ... more details

East Keswick The parish of East Keswick lies between Harrogate and Leeds in gently undulating countryside. The village itself is of considerable antiquity. It appe... more details

Farnham Farnham is an ancient and beautiful village some six miles north of Harrogate. The Domesday record of 1086 notes that Farnham had a church and a pries... more details

Farnley Farnley is situated about eight miles southwest of harrogate and one mile northeast of Otley and forms part of the picturesque Washburn valley, separa... more details

Felliscliffe Felliscliffe is a country parish, including the village of Kettlesing. Three streams meet in the village in the Tang Beck, which travels on to join th... more details

Flaxby Situated about six miles northeast of Harrogate, and part of the parish of Goldsborough, is the hamlet of Flaxby. ... more details

Follifoot The charming village of Follifoot lies in a rural situation about four miles south of Harrogate and has won awards in the Best Kept Village competitio... more details

Glasshouses Looking down the hill to Glasshouses, about 15 miles northwest of Harrogate, from the Pateley Bridge-Ripon road, one sees a collection of grey stone h... more details

Goldsborough Situated about 5 miles east of Harrogate, this small village is rather special in that it was an estate village from just after the Norman Conquest un... more details

Great Ouseburn & Little Ouseburn Situated about 10 miles northeast of Harrogate, the name Ouseburn comes from the beck which flows between the two villages, Great and Little Ouseburn,... more details

Green Hammerton Just off the busy A59 about halfway between York and Harrogate lies the village of Green Hammerton. ... more details

Hampsthwaite Hampsthwaite, about 4 miles west of Harrogate, is an attractive village with a population of about 1,000, in a lovely setting on the river Nidd. The a... more details

Heyshaw 'Heyshaw is situated about 10 kms northwest of Harrogate. We arrived in November 1945 at Heyshaw Farm, Heyshaw, in the parish of Dacre', remembers one... more details

Killinghall Situated two miles north of Harrogate, this ancient settlement grew at the junction of the Leeds to Ripon turnpike (1752) and the Dudley Hill (Bradfor... more details

Kirk Hammerton Just off the busy A59 about halfway between York and Harrogate lies the village of Kirk Hammerton. ... more details

Langthorpe Langthorpe lies to the northwest of Boroughbridge and about 10 miles north of Harrogate along the banks of the river Ore. The origin of the name is An... more details

Leathley The village of Leathley, about 10 miles southwest of Harrogate, follows the river Washburn to the point where it enters the river Wharfe on its southe... more details

Linton Linton, betwixt Wetherby and Collingham to the south of Harrogate, is well worth a detour to enjoy the atmosphere of a real country pub, the Windmill,... more details

Linton-on-Ouse Linton is a small village in the Vale of York, 12 miles northeast of Harrogate and 3 miles south of Aldwark toll bridge. It is low lying, with the Ing... more details

Little Ribston Situated about 4 miles east of Harrogate and mid-way between Wetherby and Knaresborough on the B6164, Little Ribston is a pleasant village with houses... more details

Long Marston The village lies 15 miles to the east of Harrogate on the B1224 Wetherby road and is on the extreme edge of the Vale of York, nestling snugly under th... more details

Marton-cum-Grafton The parish of Marton-cum-Grafton lies about 12 miles northeast of Harrogate and 3 miles south of Boroughbridge between the A1 and the York road. The p... more details

Middlesmoor Middlesmoor is situated at the head of Upper Nidderdale, eight miles from Pateley Bridge and about 20 miles from Harrogate and Ripon. It is reached vi... more details

Myton-on-Swale The small quiet parish of Myton-on-Swale (population 125) stands at the confluence of the rivers Swale and Ore, about 15 miles northeast of Harrogate.... more details

Newton-on-Ouse On 30th November 1957 Lady Edith Enid, Countess of Chesterfield died at Beningbrough Hall. An era in the history of Newton-on-Ouse (about 15 miles eas... more details

Nidd The casual visitor to Nidd, about 4 miles north of Harrogate, will find nothing other than a quiet, attractive well-ordered village. Its place in Nort... more details

North Deighton If you leave the A1 travelling north at Wetherby, then two and a half miles along the road to Knaresborough you will come to North Deighton, a village... more details

Otley Otley, Otley-Wharfedale, or Otley the Queen of the Yorkshire Dales as stated in some of the holiday guides. Call it what you will, Otley is a pleasant... more details

Pannal Pannal, whose Old English name suggests a damp hollow, lies to the south of Harrogate on the southernmost boundary of the ancient forest of Knaresboro... more details

Pateley Bridge with Bewerley This large village, about 14 miles northwest of Harrogate, nestles on either side of the river Nidd, surrounded by sweeping hills to the north, steep ... more details

Plompton Plompton is situated south of Knaresborough, about 2 miles east of Harrogate, and is an ancient parish. It includes the manors of Plumpton, Rudfarling... more details

Ripley A charming estate village three miles north of Harrogate clustered around Ripley Castle, home of the Ingilby family for over 600 years. ... more details

Roecliffe The parish of Roecliffe lies about 10 miles north of Harrogate and 1.5 miles west of the A1 on the road from Boroughbridge to Bishop Monkton. ... more details

Sawley Sawley, ten miles northwest of Harrogate, is a long straggling village. The hardy Saxons spread their homes between Moor Lane and the river Skell. The... more details

Scriven The name derives from the Anglo-Saxon 'screfen' - a place with pits; there are remains of quarries and gravel pits on the north side. However, from th... more details

Skelton-on-Ure Skelton-on-Ure is situated about ten miles north of Harrogate and to the east of Ripon. The river Ure runs to the north-west of the village through th... more details

Spofforth The village of Spofforth lies on the A661, five miles from Harrogate and three miles from Wetherby. ... more details

Stainburn Stainburn is situated on rising ground in the fertile valley of the river Wharfe, about 6 miles south of Harrogate. It is an ancient hamlet which form... more details

Starbeck The village of Starbeck is on the old toll road between Knaresborough and Harrogate. There is a large building on the High Street which was once a wor... more details

Summerbridge Summerbridge is situated on the B6135 between Ripley and Pateley Bridge, about ten miles from Harrogate and four from Pateley. The river Nidd forms th... more details

Tholthorpe Tholthorpe is a small rural village with a population of about 170, about 15 miles northeast of Harrogate. It was a watering and resting place for dro... more details

Tollerton Tollerton is situated about 15 miles northeast of Harrogate. The river Kyle or Carr, was the natural boundary of the ancient forest of Galtres. There ... more details

Weston Travelling the road from Otley on the north side of the river Wharfe, Weston (about 10 miles from Harrogate) is the first village. Although the popula... more details

Whixley Whixley, formerly Quixley, is situated on the old Roman road between Aldborough and Aberford, just off the Great North Road and about 10 miles east of... more details

Wilsill This is a small unspoilt village in Nidderdale, two miles from Pateley Bridge and ten miles from Harrogate on the main Harrogate road. Inhabitants now... more details

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11 Awesome Castles To Visit Near Harrogate in Yorkshire, UK

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If you like castles, you will love the area around Harrogate – North Yorkshire’s beautiful spa town. With an impressive 11 castles to visit near Harrogate within a 60-minute drive, the town is the perfect base for your explorations!

Imagine a few days pottering around ancient North Yorkshire castles to discover centuries of history, then retreating to Harrogate’s excellent restaurants, fashionable bars, and classy hotels to unwind. Alternatively, you could stay in a castle hotel !

Why are there so many castles near Harrogate?

We need to go back to 1066 when William the Conqueror (the Duke of Normandy) invaded England, killed the English King Harold at the Battle of Hastings and became King William I of England.

William stamped his authority on his new kingdom through a programme of castle building. He gifted lands across the country to his faithful noblemen, who built castles as protection from rebellious locals and invaders from Scotland.

Work on the magnificent North Yorkshire castles started quickly after the Norman invasion, with many castles added in the following turbulent years.

Are you ready to discover fabulous North Yorkshire castles near Harrogate? Let’s get started!

11 Castles to Visit Near Harrogate

Each of the castles near Harrogate is steeped in history, with many stories for you to discover. Some of the castles are in a good state of repair and will take time to explore, while others are significantly ruined, but each is exciting!

The only question is, how many of these fabulous fortresses will you visit while you’re in North Yorkshire?

1. Knaresborough Castle

Castle Yard, Knaresborough HG5 8AS

Knaresborough is one of the prettiest towns in North Yorkshire , with a soaring Victorian viaduct over the River Nidd, lovely riverside walks and an attractive town centre.

The ruined 12th-century medieval stronghold of Knaresborough Castle (and the Courthouse Museum ) sits high above the river, moments from the town centre and train station. It’s the most beautiful location!

This North Yorkshire castle has a long and fascinating history, with many Royal connections. King Richard II was imprisoned in the castle’s “King’s Tower” for one night, before he was sent to Pontefract Castle where he died “in mysterious circumstances”.

Knaresborough Castle highlights:

✔️ Explore the castle walls independently for free

✔️ Join a paid tour to discover the history of the King’s Chamber, visit the dungeon and escape through the secret underground exit (the “sallyport”).

✔️ Visit the Courtroom Museum to discover an original Tudor courtroom and learn more of Knaresborough’s colourful history and connection to Guy Fawkes.

Admission: Free (£3.20 for the tour) Website Distance from Harrogate: 4.3 miles Travel time : 18 minutes

📍 Fancy staying over ? You’ll love the cute Waterside Cottage Bed & Breakfast . It’s one of the loveliest cottages in North Yorkshire!

2. Skipton Castle

The Bailey, Skipton BD23 1AW

Skipton is a thriving market town on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, with a fabulous castle at the end of the high street! The stunning 900 year old castle in Skipton is one of the most intact Medieval castles in England.

Skipton Castle highlights:

✔️ The beautiful Tudor courtyard with its ancient yew tree

✔️ The dungeons, the “long drop” privy in the kitchen (kids love it), the banqueting hall and day rooms

✔️ The imposing gatehouse and its unique shell grotto

Admission: £10.20 (adult). Concessions are available. Website Distance from Harrogate: 22 miles Travel time : 37 minutes

📍 Extend your trip to Skipton with a stay at the Bailey Bed & Breakfast or pick one of their cute shepherd’s huts – right opposite the castle!

3. Bolton Castle

Nr Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 4ET

The tiny rural village of Castle Bolton (population 100) takes its name from the impressive 14th-century castle overlooking the village green.

While Bolton Castle was initially built as a family home, it was also used as a prison by Queen Elizabeth I! She held her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots , captive in the castle for a year, from July 1568, before sending her to harsher conditions at Tutbury Castle in Staffordshire..

Bolton Castle highlights:

✔️ Explore the beautifully presented castle, including the rooms Mary Queen of Scots used , her servants and attendants.

✔️ Wander through the lovely castle gardens, including the Mary Garden , the medieval Dyer’s Garden and the splendid herb garden .

✔️ Book a half-day falconry experience , including learning how to handle and fly a falcon!

Admission: £12.50 includes admission to the castle, gardens and grounds, plus the boar park and falconry flying displays. Concessions are available. Website Distance from Harrogate: 48 miles Travel time : 1 hour 13 minutes

📍 Bolton Castle is located in a very rural part of North Yorkshire. You could join this tour from York that includes both Bolton Castle and Richmond Castle if you prefer to enjoy the scenery and let someone else negotiate the narrow country roads.

4. Ripley Castle

Ripley, Harrogate HG3 3AY

Tiny little Ripley is like a village from a story book it’s so pretty!

Walking or cycling from Harrogate to Ripley Village via the scenic Nidderdale Greenway is a treat for active visitors. The 4-mile route along a converted railway line passes through lovely woodland carpeted with bluebells in spring. In summer, you’ll have views of yellow and purple wildflower meadows and a blaze of red and orange in the autumn before the leaves fall.

Ripley Castle is a 14th-century fortress that has been the home of the Ingilby family for 28 generations!

Ripley Castle highlights:

✔️ Join a paid castle tour to learn about Ripley Castle’s history and discover secret rooms and hiding places (including a priest hole) used by Catholics escaping persecution after the death of “Bloody Queen Mary”.

✔️ Explore the beautiful grounds and gardens, including the deer park and orangery

✔️ Venture into the Walled Garden, home of the National Hyacinth collection

Admission: £5.00 for the castle grounds and gardens. Castle tours can be booked via the castle’s website Distance from Harrogate: 4.6 miles Travel time : 17 minutes

📍 Stop for lunch at the highly regarded Boars Inn , but make sure to book as it’s very popular! Don’t forget to try some delicious Ripley ice cream during your visit – it’s very tasty!

5 . Spofforth Castle

Castle St, Spofforth, Harrogate HG3 1ND

Sleepy little Spofforth is an attractive village between Harrogate and Wetherby with a ruined 12th-century castle at its heart.

Medieval Spofforth Castle has a fascinating history, a surprising connection to the Magna Carta, and a lurid ghost story!  You could easily visit the castles at Spofforth and Knaresborough in one day.

Spofforth Castle highlights:

✔️ Explore the castle independently for free

✔️ Look out for the Spofforth Castle ghost

✔️ Checkout the Great Hall and the Undercroft

Admission: Free Distance from Harrogate: 6.4 miles Travel time : 15 minutes

📍 Fancy a bite to eat? Pop into the Spofforth Castle Inn before heading back to Harrogate.

6. Helmsley Castle

Castlegate, Helmsley YO62 5AB

Helmsley is rapidly becoming one of the most desirable little towns in North Yorkshire, thanks to its lovely market, beautiful old stone houses and castle!

Helmsley Castle has an illustrious history as it evolved from a medieval fortress to a Tudor mansion then became a stronghold during the English Civil War. Ruined since Victorian times, Helmsley Castle is easy to visit from Harrogate, with a drive through gorgeous countryside!

Helmsley Castle highlights:

✔️ Visit the remains of the magnificent three-storey East Tower, which was ruined in the 17th century by Parliamentary forces during the Civil War

✔️ Check out the massive groundwork surrounding the castle

✔️ Watch out for the castle ghosts – the Green Lady, the soldier and the pixie-like creatures!

Admission: £9.00 (free for English Heritage members). Concessions and family tickets are available. Website Distance from Harrogate: 37 miles Travel time : 60 minutes

📍 Helmsley is a gorgeous town. If you decide to stay over, the unforgettable Feversham Arms is a real foodies treat!

7. Richmond Castle

Tower St., Richmond DL10 4QW

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Richmond is a beautiful, welcoming North Yorkshire town with a quaint charm and a huge castle!

English Heritage describes Richmond Castle as “the best-preserved example of an early Norman castle in England.” It was built in 1070 by Count Alan Rufus, who fought alongside William I at the Battle of Hastings.

Richmond Castle highlights:

✔️ Explore the great curtain walls and the Gold Hole Tower

✔️ Climb the 100+ steps to the top of the towering Keep ( Conan’s Tower )

✔️ Stroll through the delightful castle gardens

Admission: £7.80 (Free for English Heritage members). Concessions are available. Website Distance from Harrogate: 39.1 miles Travel time : 60 minutes

📍 If you want to spend a night or two in Richmond, you’ll need to book early, as this exceptionally photographic town is popular all year round. The Castle House or King’s Head are lovely choices in the town centre.

8. Middleham Castle

Castle Hill Middleham, North Yorkshire, Middleham, Leyburn DL8 4QG

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Middleham is located in stunning Wensleydale, with some of the best views in Yorkshire. As it’s also home to many of Yorkshire’s best racing stables, you’ll probably see magnificent racehorses pass through the town on their way to the gallops.

The original Middleham Castle was a wooden motte and bailey castle, replaced in the 12th century by a vast (ruined) keep and impressive curtain walls. Middleham Castle is one of the most incredible castles to visit near Harrogate!.

Middleham Castle highlights:

✔️ The story of the castle’s most famous resident – the infamous King Richard III – who spent his childhood at the castle

✔️ The outstanding views of Wensleydale from the viewing platform

✔️ The remains of the oven and horse mill in the castle grounds

Admission: £7.80 (Free for English Heritage Members). Concessions are available. Website Distance from Harrogate: 31 miles Travel time : 61 minutes

📍 Fancy staying over? You’ll love the cute Waterside Cottage Bed & Breakfast Kirkgate House !

9. Clifford’s Tower York (York Castle)

Tower St, York YO1 9SA

York, the largest city in North Yorkshire, is a walled city that the ancient Romans founded. The city’s 13th-century Gothic cathedral, York Minster, has medieval stained glass and two soaring bell towers.

Just two years after winning the Battle of Hastings, William I’s forces began the construction of two castles in York. All that remains today is Clifford’s Tower – a large and imposing four-lobed 13th-century stone tower.

Despite the distance, Clifford’s Tower is one of the easiest castles to visit near Harrogate, as you can visit York by train from Harrogate.

Clifford’s Tower highlights:

✔️ Climb up to the top of the tower for wonderful 360°  views over the ancient city

✔️ See King Henry III’s medieval garderobe (toilet) – the only known one of its type in England.

✔️ Visit King Henry III’s medieval chapel

Admission: £8.10 (Free for English Heritage members). Concessions are available. Website Distance from Harrogate: 23.7 miles Travel time : 53 minutes

📍 Marmadukes Town House Hotel  is a characterful boutique hotel with luxurious, individually styled rooms and fabulous deep baths. Perfect for sinking into to relax after a long day walking around York! On-street parking is free from 4 pm to 10 am, and onsite parking is just £7. Check availability at  Marmadukes Town House Hotel . 

10. Harewood Castle

Harewood, Leeds LS17 9LZ

Knaresborough is one of the prettiest little towns in North Yorkshire, with a soaring Victorian viaduct over the River Nidd, lovely riverside walks and an attractive town centre.

Ruined 12th-century medieval Knaresborough Castle and Courthouse Museum sits high above the river, moments from the town centre and train station. It’s the most beautiful location!

The castle has a long and fascinating history, with many Royal connections, including King Richard II, who was imprisoned in the King’s Tower for one night before being sent to Pontefract Castle, where he died “in mysterious circumstances”.

Harewood Castle highlights:

✔️ The hidden location means you may be able to explore without seeing another soul

✔️ The beautiful carpets of bluebells if you visit in the springtime

✔️ Tons of photo opportunities

Admission: Free Distance from Harrogate: 7 miles Travel time : 15 minutes

Read More: 5 Sensational Things to Do on the Harewood Castle Walk

As Harewood Castle is one of the closest castles to visit near Harrogate, and you’ll only need an hour to look around it, it’s easy to fit into your trip itinerary. Find the best places to stay in Harrogate here.

11. Whorlton Castle

Castle Bank, Northallerton DL6 3EA

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The abandoned village of  Whorlton in North Yorkshire is the location of the ruined 12th-century motte and bailey Whorlton Castle built by Robert de Meynell. Seriously off-the-beaten-path, while this is one of the more ruined castles near Harrogate, it’s the perfect place for a countryside walk.

Whorlton Castle highlights:

✔️ The mid-14th century sandstone gatehouse that is the main surviving relic of Whorlton Castle

✔️ The row of three carved shields in cusped panels on the impressive gatehouse . These mark the marriage of Philip Darcy to Elizabeth Gray in the 14th century

✔️ The stone spiral staircase , which you can climb up to the first floor (if you’re careful and steady-footed0

Admission: Free Distance from Harrogate: 37.5 miles Travel time : 55 minutes

Top Tip : While visiting the castle, check out the two pirate graves in the semi-abandoned Church of the Holy Rood 100 metres from the castle.

Final Thoughts on The Best Castles to Visit Near Harrogate

So there you have it! A wide variety of castles to visit near Harrogate to tempt you to get out and explore. Have you decided which of these North Yorkshire castles you would like to visit?

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Coralie Thornton, the owner and author of Grey Globetrotters, has been a traveller for more than four decades. Today, she helps others experience the UK, Europe and bucketlist destinations with meticulously crafted guides and affordable luxury itineraries, Her passion for adventure has led her through over 40 countries, seeking cultural experiences, delicious foods, and hidden gems.

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Things To Do

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RHS Garden Harlow Carr

One of Yorkshire’s most relaxing and innovative gardens at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales, RHS Harlow Carr is a showcase of horticultural excellence all year round! Wander through the tranquil surroundings of this stunning 58 acre garden and gain ideas for your own borders, or simply relax with family and friends on a leisurely stroll. Find year-round inspiration along the dramatic Main Borders where the RHS experts have chosen contemporary planting to suit the...

Swinton Park Country Club and Spa

Swinton Country Club and Spa is one of the leading spa destinations in the UK, that combines contemporary design...

How Stean Gorge Activity Centre

How Stean Gorge’s activity centre offers professional high quality outdoor experiences onsite in this natural wonder and at other...

Beningbrough - National Trust

The National Trust cared for Beningbrough, on the outskirts of Harrogate, with its eight acres of gardens, historic rooms...

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Step into the Heart of Yorkshire

Harrogate is home to some of the best attractions in Yorkshire. With something for everyone you will never be short of great things to do whether you visit for work or leisure, with family or friends.

Explore historical sites including medieval castles and stately homes or be adventurous and experience the thrill of getting active in the Yorkshire Dales countryside.

If your idea of heaven is to just relax, visit one of our world class spa experiences, there is no better place to spoil yourself with some indulgence.

Indulge your curiosity at museums that explore the history of Harrogate and the surrounding area. Our museums each tell a unique story such as the origins of the spa town of Harrogate, the story of life in Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale or the experiences of those in Ripon’s law and order system.

Harrogate is host to a rich and eclectic arts and culture scene, with many galleries both private and public showing a range of works in various mediums and styles.

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Rudding park spa, fountains abbey & studley..., the harrogate spa, black sheep brewery & tours, stockeld park, how stean gorge, ripon cathedral, three graces spa, turkish baths harrogate, rudding park golf club, stump cross caverns, the himalayan garden &..., royal pump room museum, bobh – day tours of yorkshire, bygone classics, swinton cookery school, indie food tours, mother shipton's cave and..., behind the scenes of  things to do, summer heroes at beningbrough hall gardens.

Stop and take time to look Summer is such a busy time in the garden it’s easy to forget...

Summer Pop-up parties are back!

The pop up parties are back this summer! Last year our local council hosted the FREE fun filled family...

GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE

by Mark Pethullis, Gardener at Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens.

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THE 10 BEST Free Things to Do in Harrogate

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31. Christies Bar Harrogate

32. Space Vintage and Retro

33. The Disappearing Chin

34. Best Bar

35. Crimple

36. The Last Post

37. Pitcher & Piano

38. The Travellers Rest

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42. Yarn Etc

44. Rafi's Spicebox

45. The Punch BOWL INN

46. Imagined Things Bookshop

47. Prologue Performance Cycling

48. Roland's

49. Free Walking Tour Harrogate

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Top 10 Hikes and Walks around Harrogate

Hiking around harrogate.

The prosperous spa town of Harrogate has long been a favourite of intrepid hikers. Walks around Harrogate take you into wonderful river valleys, amongst geological magnificence and masterpieces of Victorian architecture. This historic town sits on the fringes of Nidderdale, a designated area of outstanding natural beauty, with the plains of the Vale of York to the east. With the Yorkshire Dales National Park also only 13 miles (10 km) away, it is fair to say that Harrogate’s walks are as fabulous as its famous Yorkshire Tea.

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Brimham Rocks & Glasshouses village loop from Pateley Bridge

Fewston & swinsty reservoir loop.

Let us show you the way with the komoot mobile app

Thruscross reservoir and cloggers lane loop from thruscross reservoir car park — nidderdale aonb, the druid's temple & sole beck loop from high knowle, scar house & angram reservoirs loop — nidderdale, fountains abbey & studley royal park loop — yorkshire dales national park, brimham rocks & brimham moor loop, thrope edge and how stean gorge loop from lofthouse — nidderdale aonb, the river ure & aldborough loop from boroughbridge, hackfall forest loop, more information, exploring the skell valley.

Some of the finest walks around Harrogate explore the historic and picturesque Skell Valley. Experience Studley Royal Park and the ruins of Fountains Abbey, awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status as ‘a feat of human creative genius’. The park’s landscaped grounds have been immaculately curated around the 1,000-year-old abbey ruins.

Take a magical stroll around the incredible water gardens, keeping an eye out for stags wrestling each other with their antlers. Over 300 red, sika and fallow deer roam the grounds. The gothic St Mary’s Church is another architectural masterpiece waiting to be discovered here. Nearby, the idyllic Seven Bridges Valley offers you utterly delightful walking, following the meandering River Skell over the five remaining arched packhorse bridges.

Sandstone forged splendour

The spectacular Brimham Rocks and their surroundings make for some of the best hikes around Harrogate. A site of special scientific interest, its 454 acres (184 ha) contain heathlands, birch woodland and the famous 320 million-year-old sandstone rock formations. The impossible shapes they assume are sensational, the result of aeons of erosion by ice, water and wind.

Closer to Harrogate is Nidd Gorge, a deep, sandstone ravine with sheer wooded banks. Perfect for an afternoon ramble, it rewards nature lovers with a veritable patchwork of habitats. In summer, a diverse array of butterflies flutter between the trees and wild flowers abound.

Natural beauty in Nidderdale

Some of the best hiking trails around Harrogate can be found in Nidderdale. In fact, there are 125 square miles (200 km 2 ) on which to exercise your right to roam. The prominent hill of Great Whernside (not to be confused with county-high-point Whernside to the west) offers a unique panorama across Nidderdale and back to the vastness of the Yorkshire Dales. 

Experience the remote moorland and undulating hills of Mashamshire, perfect for stargazing under a vast night sky. Pack your tent and set out for an adventure into this secluded countryside. The archetypal V-shaped valleys, carved by 100,000 years of glacial movement, await your hiking boots. Explore winding paths and waterfalls in the rolling woodland or discover the curious and mystical structures found on the moors.

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• Littlethorpe
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• Great Ribston With Walshford
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• Great Timble
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• Hartwith Cum Winsley
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• Stonebeck Down
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• Colsterdale
• Markenfield Hall
• Moor Monkton
• North Stainley With Sleningford
• Markington With Wallerthwaite
• Leighton Reservoir
• North Rigton
• Killinghall
• High And Low Bishopside
• Ellenthorpe
• Clint Cum Hamlets
• Spofforth With Stockeld
• North Deighton
• Knaresborough
• Bishop Monkton
• South Stainley With Cayton
• Long Marston
• Swinton With Warthermarske
• Sicklinghall
• Pannal And Burn Bridge
• Ellingstring
• Darley And Menwith
• Skelton-On-Ure
• Nesfield With Langbar
• Lindrick With Studley Royal And Fountains
• Gouthwaite Reservoir
• Thornton Bridge
• Coneythorpe And Clareton
• Bridge Hewick
• Norton-Le-Clay
• Marton Cum Grafton
• Fountains Earth
• Scar House Reservoir
• Newall With Clifton
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• Bishop Thornton, Shaw Mills And Warsill
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Explore more of North Yorkshire : Browse the best Hikes in other regions.

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Pop Culture Happy Hour

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Pop Culture

You know it when you see it: here are some movies that got sex scenes right.

Linda Holmes

It is a happy coincidence that our "What makes a good sex scene?" episode came out in the same week as Challengers, a film about a romance triangle in the tennis world starring Josh O'Connor, Zendaya and (not pictured) Mike Faist. Niko Tavernise/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures hide caption

It is a happy coincidence that our "What makes a good sex scene?" episode came out in the same week as Challengers, a film about a romance triangle in the tennis world starring Josh O'Connor, Zendaya and (not pictured) Mike Faist.

What makes a good sex scene? It can be easier spot bad sex, but Aisha Harris, Christina Tucker, Ronald Young, Jr. and I tried to focus on the good this week on Pop Culture Happy Hour. You can listen to our full conversation here. (We didn't originally plan for this episode to run the same week as our episode about Challengers , which is out in theaters now, but it's a happy coincidence, since that film has gotten a lot of attention — probably too much, relative to its other merits — for the sex scenes involving its three leads. It's really very good .)

Movie Reviews

Watch a tense romantic triangle play out on the tennis court in 'challengers'.

It's often very obvious when a sex scene is bad, just like when a sex scene in a book is bad. It can get so uncomfortable to watch that you have to leave the room (and not in a way that feels true to the story). One of my personal tells for a bad sex scene is when all I can think about is how hard the actors are trying to persuade me that the characters are having a good time. For example, there has been much good discussion in recent years about Showgirls being a more interesting and competent project than it originally got credit for, but in that one pool scene (if you know it, you know it), all I can see is the effort.

Lauren Bacall And The 'Sex? What Sex?' Kind Of Movie Sex

It's not always as clear which scenes are good . That's partly because they serve so many different functions, all of which look different, and all of which can be effective. Furthermore, you don't want to confuse whether a sex scene is used well in a film with whether it's hot to you personally, despite the fact that there is overlap between those considerations.

In the 'Last Dance,' Magic Mike leaves his thong-and-dance routine behind

Here's what I mean: When Aisha talks about the sequence near the beginning of Magic Mike's Last Dance , it's not irrelevant that the scene is, to her (and to me), hot. But it also makes sense in the context of the film and the franchise, partly because of the way it sets up the power dynamic between Mike (Channing Tatum) and Max (Salma Hayek Pinault). Mike is older now, he knows more, and the way he approaches a lap dance is actually different than in earlier movies.

And not all good sex scenes are hot in the same ways. The one I mentioned in the episode, from the romantic drama Love & Basketball , is sexy, yes. But it's also a scene between young adults (the talented basketball players Monica and Quincy, played by Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps), and as such, it incorporates a tentativeness that's not present in Magic Mike's Last Dance , to say the least. As Ronald pointed out during our discussion, that sex scene is quite different from one that takes place later in Monica and Quincy's relationship, when they're older and know each other better. That certainly feels true to real life, but it's not always reflected in Hollywood films, where I would tentatively estimate that 90% of on-screen sex is more idealized and thus less intimate than real-life sex, in part because it isn't allowed to change over the course of a relationship.

Movie Interviews

'like it or not, we live in oppenheimer's world,' says director christopher nolan.

Even further from the hotness of the lap dance scene is Ronald's pick: the imagination of Kitty Oppenheimer (Emily Blunt) running wild in Oppenheimer. While her husband (Cillian Murphy) is being interrogated, she pictures him having sex with his mistress, Jean Tatlock (Florence Pugh). It goes by quickly enough that it might seem like a Christopher Nolan flourish for flourish's sake, but it serves the purpose of letting you feel her pain over her husband's affair. Her relationship with Robert doesn't look especially romantic in the film, let alone sexually charged; she finds herself consumed by the idea that he was having hot sex with this other woman, and she locks eyes with her vision of a naked Tatlock and finds herself tormented. It's not really the intent of the scene to titillate the audience, just to give specificity to the shape of Kitty's preoccupation with the affair.

What makes a good sex scene?

Christina raised another really important point, which is that sex scenes also collide with viewers at very specific moments. Her example from Bound , and the scenes between Violet (Jennifer Tilly) and Corky (Gina Gershon), touches on (among other things) her own history. It's an underappreciated aspect of the sex-in-movies discourse: representation matters in these scenes as much as anywhere else. I always wish I saw more sex scenes in movies that featured a broader variety of body types; it's still really rare to see ones that feature anybody who is even average sized. This is one of the reasons I'm curious about the upcoming season of Bridgerton , which places its focus on the gorgeous and curvaceous Penelope (Nicola Coughlan).

Looking for 'nomance': Study finds teens want less sex in their TV and movies

Good sex scenes are like any other kind of good filmmaking, honestly: it comes down to execution with purpose and care, done relative to whatever the function of the scene might be.

Whether that's spiciness or conflict or relationship growth or (as in the case of Bound ) setting up a steamy neo-noir story that wouldn't be the same if it weren't hot as heck, form follows function, ideally.

This piece also appeared in NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour newsletter. Sign up for the newsletter so you don't miss the next one, plus get weekly recommendations about what's making us happy.

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