neighbouring areas
| Bedale | Malton | Scarborough | Tadcaster |
| Filey | Northallerton | Selby | Thirsk |
| Knaresborough | Pickering | Settle | Whitby |
| Leyburn | Ripon | Skipton | York |
Harrogate is the conference capital of the north and "Gateway to the Dales".
Living in Harrogate
Harrogate is a large town located in North Yorkshire, which in the last few years has twice been voted one of the best places to live in the UK.
Harrogate was once one of Britain's principal spa towns, a fact reflected in the grandeur of its Georgian architecture and its open spaces.
Today, Harrogate is favoured by wealthy commuters to Leeds and Manchester and is also home to the US communications base at Menwith Hill.
Travel five minutes in any direction and you’re into wide open spaces such as the Dales and the Vale of York, and there is a huge open area of parkland running through the town called the Strays.
Harrogate is a small town, but within it there’s a north/south property price divide. South is more expensive because of the easier commute to Leeds. The bonus for families is that the cheaper north side is closer to the Dales.
The most desirable areas to live include West Park, leading down from the Strays to the Royal Baths, where there are some lovely Georgian properties. Cold Bath Road is also very elegant.
But, in truth, there are lovely residential streets all over Harrogate, from Crescent Gardens, in the heart of town, to Royal Crescent, off the Leeds road. The area known as "The Duchy", with its large detached houses, is worth considering.
If you’re looking for an alternative to town life, there are plenty of pretty villages in the area, including Hampsthwaite and Burstwith.
Transport
Harrogate is 15 miles north of Leeds and 10 miles from the A1(M), which offers fast access to the South and the North-East.
From Harrogate Railway Station there are trains to York (30 minutes) and Leeds (40 minutes), and London is just three hours away.
The nearest airport is Leeds Bradford International, which is less than half an hour away by car.
Further information on Leeds Bradford International airport can be found at www.lbia.co.uk.
History and culture
In the late 19th and 20th centuries Harrogate was a popular place for the English upper classes and also those from Europe to frequent.
During the Second World War the town’s largest hotels were used as government offices by those that had been evacuated from London. This was to be the start of the commercial, conference and exhibition centre that exists now.
Harrogate has one of Europe’s largest exhibition and conference centres and there are a considerable number of guesthouses and hotels in the town that accommodate the people attending conferences.
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 Royal Pump Room Museum is the place to visit to find out about how Harrogate became a spa town and its Victorian history.
Alan Titchmarsh’s favourite public gardens, Valley Gardens, are also situated in Harrogate.
For further information visit www.bettys.co.uk and www.harrogate.gov.uk.