Harrogate is a large town located in North Yorkshire.
In the late 19th and 20th centuries Harrogate was a very popular place for the English upper classes and also those from Europe, to frequent.
Soon after World War I the town’s popularity slowed until the Second World War when the towns largest hotels were used as the government offices by those that had been evacuated from London. This was to be the start of the commercial, conference and exhibition centre that is now in town.
10th century Viking treasure was found by two metal detectorists in 2007. The find contained 700 coins from place including Afghanistan. It has been considered to be the most important find in Great Britain for some 150 years.
Harrogate is home to several beautiful buildings such as the Royal Hall Theatre, this is a grade II listed building and as the only remaining Kursaal in Britain it is important to the national heritage. Restoration on this building started in 2006.
One of Europe’s largest exhibition and conference centres is in Harrogate and there are a considerable amount of guesthouses and hotels in the town that accommodate the number of people attending conferences in the town.
The Bettys Tea Rooms are well known in the area and are owned by Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate, better known nationally as the makers of Yorkshire Tea.
The Great Yorkshire Show is held annually in Harrogate.
Channel Four voted Harrogate as the 3rd Best Place to Live in 2005 and 4th in 2006.
Also worth visiting in Harrogate are the Turkish Baths said to be the finest in England.
The Royal Pump Room Museum is the place to visit to find out about Harrogate becoming a spa town and its Victorian history.
Alan Titmarsh’s favourite public gardens, Valley gardens, are also situated in Harrogate
Shopping in town is very good with a wide choice of shops and departments stores including Marks and Spencer and Bhs. There are plenty of boutiques, and small independent shops plus well known High Street shops. Antique shops and arcades are to be found selling everything from jewellery to furniture. Some of the smaller shops in town include Gap, Peek a Bootique, Major Minor, Knitti Ltd, Rose Velvet, The Clothes Room, Rita Valpiani, Toast, G 23, John G, Churchills and Old Glory Corporation.
For food and drink the choice is never-ending with everything from cafes to up market restaurants or try one of the Yorkshire Dale public houses and enjoy a roast with, of course, Yorkshire pudding.
Nearby towns of Knareborough, Masham and Ripon all have weekly markets and Harrogate has regular farmers markets.
Property for rent is always available in Harrogate with average prices of £555pcm for a l bed flat, £700pcm for a 2 bed flat, £600pcm for a 2 bed house and £860 for a 3 bed house.
There are several sports clubs in and around town including those for rugby union, football, cricket, water polo, hockey and athletics. Running competitions are regularly held in the area including road races, cross-country and fell races. Other club members run for fun and to keep fit.
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