Essential Hotels > England > North Yorkshire > Harrogate

Harrogate's graceful architecture and sense of elegance are the legacy of a famous spa heritage. Many visitors are attracted by the atmosphere of England's Floral Town, with a rich spa heritage evident from the dignified architecture, and a cosmopolitan flavour emanating from a renowned range of first class hotels and homely guest houses. The town is also renowned as an international conference and exhibition centre and the town centre's thriving cosmopolitan atmosphere reflects this.

In Harrogate visitors can discover relaxing coffee shops, wine bars and excellent restaurants, as well as quality tearooms serving traditional English fare. For those who love to shop, there is a wealth of quality and choice to be found, including many smaller, specialist shops. Surrounding the administrative centre of Harrogate, the Harrogate District comprises more than 500 square miles of attractive towns, villages, imposing historic houses, castles, cathedrals, abbeys and a galaxy of other natural and man-made attractions.

Harrogate’s history is thought to date back to the 17th century, to a time when it was split into the villages of Low Harrogate and High Harrogate, near the larger town of Knaresborough. Its spa waters were discovered prior to this in 1571 and it later became known as the English Spa in Georgian times. It was something of a haven for the wealthy sick, with many flocking to the town in search of treatment. Inevitably, as tourism grew, attractions sprouted, and so a theatre was built in 1788 and a royal pump room in 1842. After the First World War popularity declined but after the next Great War there was a period of growth as the town became a centre for exhibition and commerce. In 1982 Harrogate hosted the Eurovision Song Contest while in 2003 it won its category at the Britain in Bloom competition.

Broad tree-lined streets and beautiful parks and gardens combine with the sweeping 200 acres of town centre grassland known as 'The Stray' to bring a spacious feeling to the town. Although never far from the principal venues and accommodation, visitors can enjoy peace and serenity close to the town centre. Adding to Harrogate's cosmopolitan flavour are the many world-wide visitors to the Harrogate International Centre, with its range of busy conferences and exhibitions. The town of Harrogate is indeed a real Yorkshire Rose, an amalgamation of business, leisure and pleasure.