Harrogate & Yorkshire Dales

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 of Harrogate. The Turkish Baths in this spa town are carefully maintained, being open to the public seven days a week and only a short stroll away from the 150 year-old Royal Pump Room Museum which houses the Old Sulphur Well. Spa water is still available from here to sample.

If you'd rather relax then take a stroll around the Valley Gardens with their acres of displays and attractions. The Gardens contain a greater number of mineral springs than any other known place in the country.

For music lovers, band concerts take place on Sunday afternoons throughout the summer. Historical buildings such as the Sun Pavilion and Colonnades sit alongside a variety of outdoor games, children's play area and the Magnesia Well Café. Nearby is the tranquil village of Ripley with its lavish Castle and gardens (which are open all year round) and a chance to sample the famous Ripley Ice cream.

With spectacular scenery, dry-stone walls and disused mineral works the Yorkshire Dales have a superb variety of wildlife habitats and a rich cultural heritage. Whilst dairy and mixed-stock farming predominate in the lower dales; the high fells are left to the Swaledale sheep.

Tourism is an important part of the local economy but the area is still very dependent on farming. This is apparent with a number of festivals throughout the year that have an agricultural origin.

There is a great deal of peace and tranquility in the Yorkshire Dales and visitors can expect to escape their busy city life and relax in the pleasurable surroundings.

Whether you like to walk, cycle, climb, pothole or go fishing you can do it undisturbed at a sleepy pace which will make you want to return year after year.