A few weeks ago we spent a couple of nights in the Yorkshire spa town of Harrogate. This charming town is the ideal mini break destination , boasting elegant architecture, beautiful parks, art & theatre, olde worldy pubs, over 130 restaurants and shopping galore. Whats not to love!
From the cobbled streets and boutique stores of the historic Montpelier Quarter to the chilled 70’s vibe of Major Tom’s Social, we discovered some fab places, yet there is still so much left to explore. Which of course can only mean, we shall have to return. 😁
Wil had booked us into one of these lovely apartments , quite centrally located, off Cold Bath Road. Because we had planned a morning at the Turkish Baths Hugo did not accompany us on this trip. But just in case your wondering, our accomodation did turn out to be pet friendly, so he could definitely come with us in the future.
I’ve made a little list of some of my personal favourite places that we came accross in Harrogate. 😁
Major Tom’s Social. Describing itself as a ‘ Youth Club for grown ups’ this laid back hangout above a retro vintage shop specializes in selling craft beer and real ales. Also on the menu are fantastic stone baked pizzas made freshly on site. We spent an enjoyable couple of hours here one evening chilling out on a comfy sofa and soaking in the 1970’s flavour of the place. Dotted around Major Toms are allsorts of retro memorabilia and like it’s name suggests it’s a very sociable bar, welcoming everyone including families with children and dogs too. www.majortomssocial.co.uk
Covet. A few doors down from Major Tom’s Social is an eclectic gift and interiors emporium called Covet which has a sister store in Ilkley. Packed full of unique pieces this quirky independent is a treasure trove of the unusual. I wish I had gotten a photograph of the ground floor as some of the more unusual items for sale included wire moose heads and taxidermy butterflies. Well worth a browse for a thoughtful gift or interesting pieces for the home.
Baltzersen’s. Sometimes it’s good to try something a little different and Harrogate certainly caters for all tastes. Balterzen’s on Oxford Road uses Yorkshire sourced produce in its Scandinavian inspired menus. This place was buzzing when we arrived on a Saturday lunch time so it’s probably best to roll up early to miss the queues. I tried a delicious open sandwich with maple and mustard roasted root veg , houmous and pickled baby carrots. Was soooo good! Other goodies on the menu include Lentil and root veg Lapskaus ( Norwegian Stew) , Gravlaks on potato cake with poached duck egg & sweet dill dressing and Mackerel Pate with rye toast, gooseberry chutney and feta salad. www.baltzersens.co.uk
Betty’s Tea Rooms. No visit to Harrogate is complete without a trip to Betty’s. This Yorkshire institution blends the county’s friendly hospitality with elegant surroundings and a distinctly Swiss flavour. It’s founder Frederick Belmont was born and raised in Switzerland almost 100 years ago. Bettys is renowned for its delectable cakes and chocolates and of course Afternoon Tea ,which has been enjoyed here for nearly a century. One way to avoid the crowds ( Bettys is extremely popular) is to treat yourself to a Betty’s breakfast early in the morning. My Swiss Rosti set me up the day. Make sure you check out the gift shop too with it’s dazzling array of baked goods and confectionary. www.bettys.co.uk
Turkish Baths. Harrogate is home to Britain’s most fully restored Turkish Baths, dating back to the 19th Century. I have long wanted to discover them for myself, so I booked us both in for a Saturday morning session. 🙂 The Turkish Baths experience begins in the elegant Frigidarium above, where you gradually become acclimatized to the warmth. Next it’s a case of braving The Steam Room, The Tepidarium ( warm room), Calidarium ( hot room) and Laconium ( hottest room) with showering and immersions in the invigorating plunge pool in between. And then…. simply…repeat! What I treasured most about my visit was admiring the stunning moorish architecture. The Baths are so beautiful and definitely worth a visit. Make sure you book, take some flip flops ( the terrazzo flooring gets quite hot) and drink plenty of the free water that is provided. www.turkishbathsharrogate.co.uk
The Little Ale House. A very happy discovery , the Little Ale House on Cheltenham Crescent is Harrogate’s first Micropub. Cosy and friendly with a great selection of real ales and gins, this bar is run by a young husband and wife team , often accompanied by their gorgeous collie cross rescue dog. 🙂 A tiny pub but well worth a visit if you can squeeze in. Oh and the pork pies are to die for!
Weetons Food Hall. My browse round Weetons was all to brief ,but if you are a foodie you will definitely enjoy perusing the many goodies on offer in this attractive Food Hall. Overlooking the Stray ( one of the town’s many green spaces) Weetons also has a restaurant , an award winning butchers and lots of mouthwatering displays. www.weetons.com
Have you ever been to Harrogate? Where would you recommend me to visit on a future trip? I am sure I will return. 🙂
Looks like a lovely trip. We used to love going to Harrogate when we lived in Leeds, but that was many many moons ago – and everyone always struggled to get a table in Betty’s even back then. Must go again one day, so thanks for the recommendations xx
Yes the queues are still long. But not as many people think to go there for breakfast or even an evening meal. Best time to go. 🙂
Can’t quite get my head around breakfast or evening meal at Betty’s but I bet it’s fab xx
Yes I had no idea that you could do either until our weekend away. X
The architecture in the Turkish Baths is fabulous – I’d go there just to photograph it but not for anything else, it would be far too hot for me 😦
I thought it would be to hot for me but I managed to do it….with lots of short swims in the cold plunge pool. That really cools you down! Unfrtunately they are quite strict about photography so I pinched this partucular photo off pinterest. I managed one sneaky mobile shot of my feet in the Frigidarium, but thats it. X
I do like your reviews which mainly seem to be about where you ate! One of my friends has just been to Harrogate and posted several pictures on FB las night. It’s funny how these things come around: it happened with Whitby recently which I read about several times in quick succession. He also had been to Betty’s, but not the baths. It’s years since I’ve been. My friend who lives in W Yorks worked for the council there for many years so when we visit it’s not a place she particularly wants to go: too familiar.
You are so right! My reviews do seem to be about where we ate! I love my food…and I’m afraid it shows. Because Hugo wasn’t with us we didn’t get any walking in either. Harrogate was certainly an excuse for a very lazy holiday….but I did enjoy it. 🙂
I love the remnant fabric shop and there was a mighty fine cheese shop opposite. You had a marvellous visit.
There are so many lovely shops in Harrogate. 🙂 x
We’re going to Harrogate next year, so I’ll look out from some of the great recommendations. I definitely fancy a Turkish bath experience.
Oh yes I hope you do it. Make sure you book. Weekdays are generally cheaper and less busy than weekends. X
Sounds like a highly successful trip. 🙂 :)) I’ve often meant to organise a visit, and funnily enough 2 of our Algarve neighbours have family and a home base there.
Well that sounds like the perfect opportunity!Hope you get to go. X
I love a shopping trip to Harrogate. Also, definitely agree on the Betty’s for breakfast. Whilst at uni in York my mum and I used to have breakfast there as a treat and beat all the tourist crowds!
That sounds lovely. It opens really early to. Xx
I might be inspired to visit one day – maybe tie it in with a visit to the Knitting and Stitching Show !
Go! Its a great place to visit. 😁
I’ve never been to Harrogate. Yorkshire as a whole has been very neglected by me, which in future will have to change. Great post! 🙂 x
Thank you! We live quite near the Yorkshire Border so pretty handy for us. Xx
I’ve never been to Harrogate. I think I’ve driven through it but never stopped there – it’s one of the many places I’ve been meaning to visit for ages. It looks like it’s worth it from your post!
Thanks Louise. I hope you get to visit Harrogate soon. X
This looks incredible! I’ve immediately put it on the wish list.
https://2weekendwanderers.com
Great! Harrogate is a wonderful place to visit. X