Christmas shopping - Harrogate, Richmond or Northallerton?

[Northernlurker]

I fancy a day out to do some shopping this week. Which destination would you prefer and why?

Richmond?

Harrogate has just about every shop you'd need, plus lots of boutiquey places too. I've not been to Northallerton but I wouldn't go out of my way to go Xmas shopping in Richmond.

Nothing much at Richmond. Harrogate is the best bet.

Definitely Harrogate. Northallerton is a pretty boring high street now, and parking is not the easiest.

@Fuuuuuckit

Richmond?

Harrogate has just about every shop you'd need, plus lots of boutiquey places too. I've not been to Northallerton but I wouldn't go out of my way to go Xmas shopping in Richmond.

It doesn't have every shop you would need! Tea shops and art galleries

You try and buy a towel!

What do you want to buy.

Definitely Harrogate due to the wider range of shops. Some lovely independent shops in Richmond where I'm sure you'd get some good unique gifts though. Everything in Northallerton you'd find, plus more, in Harrogate other than Barkers department store and Lewis and Cooper.

I'd go to York or Leeds!

However if you do Northallerton go to Biancos for lunch!!

I would pick Harrogate out of those 3 options (Northallerton is my "home" town but it's much smaller than Harrogate) it will be vary pretty and Christmassy

But yes, I would go to York or Leeds for actual shopping

Our of the 3 I'd say Harrogate, but if you're in that area I'd definitely jump on a train to York or Leeds

I can go to York any time and I loathe Leeds.

Yes it's independent shops I really like.

Well I’d go to Northallerton and Ripon then. Ripon first then Barkers for anything you haven’t been able to get in Ripon.

Harrogate leaves me cold tbh. Ripon has got a few independents. Also NT shop at Fountains Abbey (plus a cake stop)!!

I don’t know Richmond well enough to add that in to the equation. Hawes has got a few shops. You could do a two stop shop!!

Harrogate. Plenty of shops, quite compact and you've got a good excuse to go to Bettys!

If you know York , you know just how overrated Betty’s is OP.

Burr on Lendal is my York favourite 😊.

I'd pick Northallerton. I've not been for a bit but always liked it.

Lewis and Cooper
Lakeland
Wilko for the cheap bits
Barkers

I'm planning to take my mum and her friend as it happens.

Nothing in Hawes really anymore. I was there in the summer and a lot of places were not open.

Hawes still has the pottery and a couple of gift shops.

Hmm forgot about Hawes. Although might do Northallerton then bob across to Helmsley on the way home.....

Well you can't get fat rascals in Northallerton or Richmond. These were Betty's, now they're mine...

@Fuuuuuckit

Well you can't get fat rascals in Northallerton or Richmond. These were Betty's, now they're mine...

You can get them in Northallerton, there’s a very nice Bettys on the High Street.

Yeah, I've just clocked the box...

I stand by Harrogate though, and plenty of places to buy towels - I picked some guest towels up in TKMaxx today.

Lewis and cooper’s is much nicer and less expensive and packed than bettys. Wouldn’t bother with Richmond. How about Barnard Castle? Museum gift shop is good as is the cafe. Some nice little shops and it’s farmers market this Saturday.

Agree re L&C, Barkers cafe is also just as good imo. Betty’s is overrated. The only time I go there is at Harlow Carr …. when there’s nowhere else to go!

Barnard Castle is lovely, and Raby Castle is not far away and the gift shop has some very nice things. Also in the area - Eggleston Hall Gardens artists studios.

Sorry, should have said - I agree with @OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow re Barnard Castle! It’s where I’d go.

I live in one of the towns mentioned and for shopping if you want independent shops I'd say Northallerton. Richmond has nothing, Harrogate has all the chain shops
Northallerton has barkers, Lewis and coopers, Lakeland, bettys, depends what you want. Market is Wednesday and Saturday and it's gets busy!
If you want a nice coffee shop central cafe near the big church is amazing!!! Home made all the way. Also have a decent b&m
Can you tell where I live

The River.