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Original poster

If you live in Harrogate or surrounding areas…

65 replies

MintyCedric · 08/07/2024 13:22

What do you get up to on your days off?

I’m looking to move next spring/summer and going up for a recce at the end of the month.

Going to check out the leisure centre and do some coffee shop people watching, walk the old railway line between Bilton and Knaresborough and hopefully get up in time to do market day at the latter (I’m driving up from the south coast on Wednesday and only staying four nights on this trip).

I’m thinking cheap/free local stuff rather than touristy days out. I want to try and get a feel for what everyday life might be like and how easy it will be to meet new people.

OP posts:
ChevyCamaro · 09/07/2024 11:53

I always found Bilton a bit bleak and depressing. Bits of Starbeck are scruffy and down at heel but some of it is very nice. Also, it has a station which is handy.
It is a bit of a myth that most of Harrogate is posh really- it’s just a few streets. Most of it is normal North Yorkshire, slightly uptight small town vibe, but probably with added activities and easy commute to York and Leeds. There’s nowhere terrible. Jennyfields is ok in parts, maybe avoid the bit near the co op.

Original poster
MintyCedric · 09/07/2024 13:18

Honestly the overall impression I’m getting is that it’s like a Northern version of where I live now, but without a beach (which I don’t use) and cheaper house prices!

OP posts:
Alfreddoeblin · 09/07/2024 15:52

Worse public services, worse transport. That’s why there’s a north south wealth gap on the whole. Step out of Harrogate and environs and it’s not all nice coffee shops etc.

EnglishBluebell · 09/07/2024 20:21

@MintyCedric David Lloyd (Jennyfields) has a pool and so does Nuffield Gym at Hornbeam Park near Leeds Rd.

Peoneve · 09/07/2024 20:29

EnglishBluebell · 09/07/2024 20:21

@MintyCedric David Lloyd (Jennyfields) has a pool and so does Nuffield Gym at Hornbeam Park near Leeds Rd.

Ashville
https://sport.ashville.co.uk/facilities/swimming-pool/

and Rudding park but membership may be on hold

https://www.ruddingpark.co.uk/spa/membership/

Swimming pool - Ashville Sports Centre

Ashville Sports Centre's 30 metre swimming pool is the longest in Harrogate. A variety of sessions are available to book.

https://sport.ashville.co.uk/facilities/swimming-pool

sugarisbad · 09/07/2024 20:34

Knaresborough is just magical .
New leisure centre opened this year and a pure gym .
Wild swimming in the Nidd (not for me )but popular with neighbours.
Lovely walks along the river ,great cafes and proper butchers ,greengrocers etc .
We walk along the river into town on a Saturday -buy our shopping locally and go out for drinks /dinner in Knaresborough.
If we fancy a bit more variety we go into Harrogate for cinema ,theatre and great restaurants /coffee shops .
Valley gardens is good for a walk round and there are various events ,food festivals etc throughout the year .
RHS garden at Harlow Carr is lovely and they had a Betty's in there which was always quieter than the one in Harrogate (although haven't been up there lately ).

Easy to get to Leeds and York on the train to see bands /theatre etc

You will love it here ❤️

Sidebeforeself · 09/07/2024 20:39

I moved to Harrogate from Leeds city centre last year. I love it but we have barely scratched the surface! I retire soon and plan to make much more of everything the town and its surrounding areas have to offer.

On Sunday we walked through the Valley Gardens ( which are looking lovely). There was a raft fair on and a brass band..families , dogs etc. It was like an advert for Yorkshire - and the sun was shining. Up to Harlow Carr for a mooch around teh garden and shop ..bliss.

So many nice places to eat and drink. The wonderful Harrogate Theatre, the Turkish baths… I love it! I haven’t made any new friends yet but I need to make more of an effort.

It does have rougher bits and there is a bit of scruffiness in the town centre ..but what town doesn’t ?

Jeckyl · 09/07/2024 20:45

EnglishBluebell · 08/07/2024 21:51

@MintyCedric Why are so many people moving here? Especially from the south? The schools are all full! I had to homeschool my DD as there wasn't a single Reception place within 15 miles... The lady at admissions told me there's been over 4,000 additional families than the norm, who have moved to North Yorkshire from down south just that year alone and said that 2,000 of them had moved to Harrogate because of all of the new homes that have been built. Unfortunately they haven't expanded infrastructure/increased services capacity in response! So there's 5+ year waiting lists for Dentists & 1-2 year waiting lists to join Doctors' surgeries. The traffic has always been bad but now it takes over an hour to cross town via Skipton Road, anytime between 1pm-7pm and it's only 3 miles.
DD's school (took 6 months before she got a place!), according to the Head, has more pupils who have recently moved here, than locals. Which I'm not saying is a bad thing in itself but I do think it's very telling!

Is there some sort of 'recruitment' campaign going on in the Home Counties or London or something?

Don't get me wrong, I couldn't care less who moves here or where they're from, as I'd love to move to Cornwall or Devon. I'm just angry at NYC for their lack of action to accommodate all these new people, as it's making existing residents' lives increasingly more difficult.

Are you sure all the schools were full? Did you apply on time or decide certain schools weren’t right for you? Oatlands is a three form entry school - I know people who live in Knaresborough and even Leeds who got in this year. It had two spaces left after national offer day. And it’s considered one of the best schools in Harrogate…

We applied for a Reception place in Harrogate this year at a very popular school and got in despite not being in catchment.

Jeckyl · 09/07/2024 20:50

Oh and @MintyCedric I would definitely vote for Bilton over Starbeck

Peoneve · 09/07/2024 20:59

Jeckyl · 09/07/2024 20:45

Are you sure all the schools were full? Did you apply on time or decide certain schools weren’t right for you? Oatlands is a three form entry school - I know people who live in Knaresborough and even Leeds who got in this year. It had two spaces left after national offer day. And it’s considered one of the best schools in Harrogate…

We applied for a Reception place in Harrogate this year at a very popular school and got in despite not being in catchment.

Show quote history

New Park as well? Grove Road , Beckwithshaw

If you want reception for 2024 then Harewood still have a place and its a fab school (Leeds technically not Harrogate)

Norugratsatall · 09/07/2024 23:15

Ah I love Harrogate. Lived there when first married, our first home was a flat overlooking Valley Gardens. Happy memories.

EnglishBluebell · 13/07/2024 02:41

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Sidebeforeself · 13/07/2024 07:30

@EnglishBluebell You might want to remove or edit your post - its easy to identify the invidiual you are talking about!

Hippee · 20/08/2024 07:33

@MintyCedric - did you come for your visit? How did you get on?

touchtree69 · 23/04/2025 22:41

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