Harrogate

[ZebraStripes10]

I'm spending a week in Harrogate for a conference next month. Obviously the bulk of my time will be taken up by the conference itself, but I will have some free evenings and some time at the beginning and end of the week.

Any recommendations for things to do? Nice places to eat?

I'll be staying in the town centre and travelling there by train, so anything needs to be accessible on foot or by public transport.

The Turkish Baths are worth a couple of hours.

Stuzzi is a really nice (casual) restaurant near the conference centre

Visit Betty's

Baltzsersens cafe and bakery - fabulous!

Another vote for Betty’s - it’s an institution

Papas (little family run Mediterranean restaurant)
Wonderful food and really friendly service

Turkish Baths are great.

Valley Gardens a nice park for walking & getting some fresh air.

Konak Meze for fab Turkish food; Spice Culture for Indian; Sukhothai for, err, Thai.

The valley gardens. Go up the hill past the big children's play area and you have some nice woods that go to Harlow Hill.

I’m in Harrogate too, next month for a conference! Wonder if it’s the same one. I’ll be pinching these recommendations also haha.

Harrogate is amazing!

Good restaurants:
Slug and lettuce
Fat Badger
Mykonos
Coke Bath Brewing
The Ivy
Portofino’s
Betty’s is overrated IMO

Things to do:
Nidd Gorge for lovely long walks
Valley gardens are gorgeous
Check out the theatre and Royal Hall Performances
The Everyman cinema has sofas and waiter service
If you’re into dogs there’s a cafe where you can cuddle Chihuauas
Knaresborough is a gorgeous market town with wonderful shops, check out Mother Shiptons Cave to kill a few hours

Oh and the Turkish Baths!

OR..............come to Leeds, which is not too far.

Oh wow, so many ideas! Thank you!

@Doveylc stats?

@OssomMummy1 I am actually stopping off in Leeds on the way up, so ideas for one night there also welcome.

Visit RHS Harlow Carr. You could walk or take the bus (30% cheaper to get in with your bus ticket!). There is a Betty's there as well.

me too, for going to a nearby conference (but mine isn't actually in Harrogate, just that I have an option for an extra day there afterwards). And also looking for central things to do that don't require a car.

Can anyone tell me more about the Turkish baths? I'm on the large side and look pretty hideous in a swimming costume. Do you always have a towel with you? Is it all steam rooms/plunge pools, or is there a heated pool/jacuzzi sort of thing at any point? Do you just move through the rooms at your own pace (but presumably in a particular order)?

I was considering having a massage afterwards, as that might really help my neck and shoulders. But not sure what you end up wearing for something like that - can you keep your costume on?

I'd like to just see the baths and mosaics and take photos and stuff, but the only tours are on a day I'm not there

Agree Betty's is overrated.

Valley gardens if the weather is ok and you want a nice stroll, as pp said Knaresborough is also nearby for an evening stroll.

For food William and Victoria's is a lovely pub (we prefer sitting downstairs), the fat badger, portofino and Essenza tapas are all also great.

Places to eat:
Domo (Japanese)
The Orchid (Pan-Asian)
La Feria (Spanish)
Three's a Crowd (Gastropub)
The Wild Plum (a bit out of the centre, and only open for brunch/lunch)

Things to do:
Turkish baths
Check what's on at Harrogate theatre/ Royal Hall/ Conference centre
RHS Harlow Carr (nice walk from Valley gardens through pine woods, not far, there's a Betty's there, or Bamber & Brown Barista Bar just up the road)
Everyman cinema
Valley gardens
Spa at Rudding Park
Train to Knaresborough/Leeds/York
Free walking tour - https://www.freewalkingtourharrogate.com/

The fat badger for a drink and then just up the road to either la ferria (posh nandos) or William and Victoria's for dinner.
For a trip out the train to Knaresborough is about 10 mins and can stroll along the river /around the castle. I am biased as i live in Knaresborough but it is very picturesque around the river and viaduct

Avoid Betty's there is always always a que no matter what time of day and is over rated. If you really need a Betty's fix then go to Harlow carr (botanical gardens) and there is a Betty's there for after

Agree Betty's not worth queuing for, people expect too much with the hype. If you just strolled in having not heard the name, you'd probably think it was nice enough, so on the off chance you're passing at a quieter moment I do think it's worth a try. Mama Doreen's is nice as an alternative.

Bettys but for breakfast. Ideally a bit hungover. And then on to the baths.

Saranda - Albanian restaurant that is fabulous
Jenny’s tea shop as an alternative to Bettys or Mama Doreen’s.
Everyman Cinema

Came on to say the same, mama Doreen's is delicious

There is a "relaxation room" with loungers, and one single hot room that gets hotter the further in you go; and the plunge pool, which is cooler. You go in to the hot room a bit, then plunge; then go into the hot room a bit further, then plunge; repeat till you've worked up to the back, or gone as far as you want to.

Depending on the type of massage, I'd expect to take costume off (but be covered with towels, not just lying there - and they're in private rooms).

I know it's scary but I would highly recommend it; lots of health benefits as well as being fun...

Mama Doreen's Emporium, my friends aunt owns it and the food is magical! Glorious afternoon teas