What could I do with 48 hours in Harrogate?

[Supergluerules]

Ideas please lovely people, not including going to the baths/spa, what else is there to do?

Me & DH like food, antiques, art, walks (not too strenuous!)

I know there is Betty's, but cakes are cakes, we're not cake people.
Thanks 😊

There are some very pretty gardens to walk round, from memory. You could go to York or Leeds, both of which are a short train ride away. It's a long time since I lived in that area, but I have a dim memory of a tourist attraction in Knaresborough, very close to Harrogate. Mother Shipton's Cave? Probably not too far from Ripon either. Fountains Abbey, Rievaulx Abbey, Bolton Abbey - all probably easier if you have a car.

Harlow Carr is a gentle walk, will you have a car? If so I’d go to Fountains Abbey too. La Fiera is good for dinner. Also not a Bettys fan, it’s just cake and trades on a legacy.

I’d take the train to York for art.

It makes me laugh when everyone suggests "go somewhere else"!
You can walk alomg West Park stray there is a wonderful large antique shop, then down to Montpellier for more antiques and the Pump room museum and the Mercer Gallery. Then a nice lunch at the Fat Badger or Major Toms depending on your preference.

Turkish baths. I adore them and would go every week if I lived in Harrogate.

Betty's isn't just cakes - you can have a full meal.

Another vote for the Turkish Baths

DH and I love shopping in Harrogate punctuated with plenty of coffee stops and meals out etc.

Betty's is about more than cakes! The Rostis are heaven!

You could walk from Harrogate centre to Harlow Carr for the gardens, go to fountains abbey if you have a car, valley gardens for a gentle stroll and ice cream, some lovely shops, Brimham rocks isn’t too far away.

I find Betty’s rostis greasy and sickly, but we are all different.

I have never bothered with the queue at bettys it just isn't worth it.

Classic MN 😂😂Who could eat a whole greasy, sickly rosti! Imagine tucking that away? Gobbling it down, who could ever do such a thing!

Well the queue does suggest rather a lot of us eh? 😂😂

Rudding Park if you want to go to a spa.

Walk through Valley Gardens and woods to Harlow Carr gardens, Betty's optional. I like to just buy the trio of afternoon tea cakes from the counter and save myself about £35. Or go to Balterzens in the town centre for cruffins and other lovely pastries.

Walk around the Stray. Pateley Bridge or Knaresborough are nearby and nice to walk around. Coldstone Cut or Crackpots mosaic trail are out in the nearby countryside for interesting and achievable walks. Agree with York for art, the York Art gallery currently has a making waves Japanese wood block exhibition which is good. I really liked the set up which was probably meant for children where you could make your own wood block print - I was really pleased with how mine turned out.

<whispers> if you're amenable to a Wetherspoons, the Winter Gardens one in Harrogate is one of the nicer ones.

Thanks all, lots of ideas and I love the differing views of Betty's!

Not a fan of Betty’s but love the Stray.

Love Le Feria for dinner or lunch but you have to book.

Love Balzersen’s for a coffee and a scandi cinnamon bun.

Always have a massage at Urban Chill.

Love the Valley gardens. Great classic pubs.

Always enjoy the shopping as they have a good range (Toast/Brora/Me&Em).

Go to the countryside (hike/pubs), York (pottering & sights) or Leeds (shopping) for part of the time!

How about Brimham Rocks, NT free except for parking. It was used in both the tv versions of A Woman of Substance and also used in Landscape Artist of the Year.

Oh lovely, yes, Brimham Rocks!

You could see what's on at the theatre and the Royal Hall. Loads of nice restaurants, cafes and shops.

All the fab little shops! John Atkinson books, all the clothes shops in Montpellier....

Fountains Abbey

Ripon Cathedral

Valley gardens

Music bars on hill down from Betty's

All the good shops like York without the crowds: space next etc

Newby hall and gardens. House tour is incredible.

Harewood House.
I think there's a bus from Harrogate if you won't have a car.