Location: Harrogate
Top Things to do in Harrogate
Top 10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Harrogate, England
Harrogate is also known as "The English Spa." For centuries, visitors have flocked to the mineral hot springs. Today, those springs still soothe the body while the placid RHS Harlow Carr Gardens and Yorkshire Dales national park stimulate the soul. Tea rooms, architecture, and art galleries are the main pastimes in this pleasant town. With four rail stations for easy transport, travelers can board trains running between Harrogate and York, Leeds, Knaresborough, and London.
Restaurants in Harrogate
1. Nidderdale Llamas
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 628 reviews
A unique interactive fun activity, based on a family working farm in Nidderdale. Offering Llama Trekking & Llama/alpaca experiences in beautiful countryside. Fantastic fun with amazing friendly animals, a range of options to choose from all including close contact with llamas, alpacas and some other animals.
Reviewed By iTravellers - Manchester, United Kingdom
This was a surprise Birthday treat and it didn't disappoint! We spent a lovely afternoon getting to know all about Llamas and Alpacas. We were able to interact with the animals in a safe environment before heading out for a walk with them. The Llamas were very calm and terrific walking companions. Even though the Yorkshire weather was atrocious it didn't dampen the spirits of the group. The staff were brilliant and very knowledgable about the animals and their different characters. We were each " matched" with a Llama and got to know them as we walked out on our short trek. After the trek we warmed up with tea and cake, a nice touch. This has been the highlight of our week in beautiful Yorkshire and would thoroughly recommend.
2. Live For Today
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 435 reviews
'Live For Today' is a well know quote used by many that means living life to the full! Here at our Ripley Castle Venue (one of three in the north) we offer a great range of activities that are perfect for a family day out, kids parties and simple days out! Activities on offer; High & Low Ropes Course, Body Zorbing, Archery, Orienteering, Bushcraft and Kayaking/Canoeing on our lake! Our instructors are truly unique and have been hand-picked over the years, they are able to provide the best experience possible in a safe environment.
Reviewed By JLLeetham - North Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Quad biking at Ripley Castle is amazing, we had Rich as our instructor and he was top notch, chilled out, funny and relaxed and trusted you on the quads. If we ever do quad biking again, whichever site it is we will be requesting Rich as our instructor. He is a credit to the company. The quad biking is class, the route you go on has good challenges, good views and the terrain is great to go on. You can also get some speed up if you enjoy going a bit faster, would highly recommend and have already started doing so... thanks again Rich????
3. Pateley Bridge Nidderdale Museum
4. Nidderdale Cycle Hire
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By richarddB5818OF
Contacted Dave by phone at fairly short notice to enquire about hire for my two teenagers, wife and myself. After asking some questions about our ability and experience he suggested an itinerary and arranged to meet us with a selection of bikes at the start point. He made sure the bikes and helmets fitted us all and after some more route guidance we were off. We had a great time following the Nidderdale Greenway and Beryl Burton cycleway visiting Knaresborough and Harrogate before finishing the ride back at Ripley castle for a well deserved Ice cream. We called Dave again and he came out to collect the bikes. All in all a great service which led to a great day for us. Highly recommended.
5. Space Vintage and Retro
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 26 reviews
Large, award winning, Vintage and Retro store in the centre of Harrogate store with attached Cafe Bar and Record Shop.
Reviewed By Surf1275 - Manchester, United Kingdom
Visited with the wife and kids on a trip to Harrogate. What a great discovery in a sea of the chain stores. The vintage shop on the ground floor is a delight of genuine retro cool, and smells just as good. Style by the mile. On the upper floor the record shop is ace! Some top quality vinyl , could have spent hours in there just thumbing through the records, and chatting to the lads! The cafe bar was a great place to hang out, great pizza, some nice tunage which was possibly a little too loud though. Will definately visit again next time we're in town!
6. Spirit of Harrogate Ltd
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 526 reviews
Home of Slingsby Gin, you are welcome to sample and purchase our products. Our knowledgeable, friendly team will be happy to assist and answer any questions you may have. We also have a few gins, not yet launched, ready for you to taste. We also run gin experiences including our Spirit of Gin session where you will discover the fascinating history of gin, right back through the original styles of gin, to how gin has developed today. Includes 4 Gin and Tonics, plus samples. Our newly launched Master Distiller experience includes sampling different flavour profiles and choosing your favourite. We then provide you with a base receipe, which you may adapt, to create your very own bespoke bottle of gin to take home. The session finishes with G&Ts and information on how to create your perfect serve. Open sessions run Thursday - Sunday and private bookings available. We look forward to welcoming you to the Spirit of Harrogate soon.
Reviewed By 963beckyh
We did the master distiller experience, such a great day learning about your own gin palette to then go on and make your own! Was able to try slingsby gin throughout the experience, the Christmas gin was delicious. Would recommend this to all gin lovers
7. The Little Ale House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 267 reviews
Harrogate's first Micropub. Independently run by husband and wife, Rich and Danni. Real Ale, Cider and more.
Reviewed By LucLiza
I googled a place that had beer and a garden in Harrogate and up popped this little gem. 5 ales on pump and a few good lagers as well as some lovely gins - it was a great place for us. Good track and trace using a QR code, which meant no pen to touch which is great too. Small front and back gardens, we were in the back which was lovely and very well spaced. The beer (according to my other half) was excellent and their gin range was not too wide ranging (thank goodness!) but had something that would suit most gin drinkers. Lovely, chilled atmosphere and it seemed like the chaps serving us really enjoyed what they were doing. We liked it a lot.
8. Brimham Rocks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,406 reviews
An amazing collection of weird and wonderful rock formations: a great day out for families, climbers and those who love the outdoors.
Reviewed By FrequentFlier809627
Superb for all the family. Plenty of marked (disabled accessible) paths & lots of rocks to climb. There's really nowhere else like it. Be sure to see the Dancing Bear rock (above the visitor centre) &, just a little further on, the Balancing Rock. Make sure you visit the snack bar (check opening days) and try the hot sausage rolls - the best sausage rolls you've ever had! There's a large area of picnic tables by the snack bar so feel free to bring your own picnic. Parking, at the entrance, is extensive (free for NT members) with disabled spaces; Parking gets busy on fine weekends, school holidays & Bank holidays so try to arrive before 11.00 on sunny days!
9. Ripley Castle and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,026 reviews
Reviewed By frankart_10 - Lymington, United Kingdom
We visited the castle on a rather wet day, and strangely, as part of a holiday mostly looking at steam railways. But no matter. I'm so very pleased that this visit was fitted into the schedule. The castle is still in private ownership, it's a very fine building, dating back several hundred years, where it's been in the ownership of the same family. The rooms are well stocked with fine family portraits and the furniture and possessions, and are well worth taking a long look at. There's a good collection of curios, guns and armour, and the grounds are extensive, supporting a large heard of deer, which can often been seen as you wander around the deer park The walled garden could do with a bit of attention, but there are also two excellent shops and a very good tea room. But for me the highlight was the guided tour. The lady who took us round was full of information, interspersed with some extremely witty anecdotes about the family. Just so highly entraining as well as informative. I though this a most excellent visit.
10. Washburn Heritage Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Exhibitions and tea rooms open from April to October on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 to 4pm. From November to March we're open on Sundays from 11-4 pm. We have a programme of events, walks, talks, courses, suppers and so on - details of which can be found on our website. We are fully accessible, and also dog and pushchair friendly. Our volunteers will be delighted to see you.
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