One Day in Harrogate: 11 Amazing Things to Do

Looking to spend one day in Harrogate? You’ve come to the right place!

Harrogate is a beautiful small town in the heart of Yorkshire. Tourists are drawn to this charming town for its tea rooms, flower displays, vast green open spaces, independent local shops and so much more. 

Located between Leeds and York, most visitors exploring this area will spend only one day in Harrogate.

I partnered with my friend Callie from Counting Our Footsteps who is a local and she will share everything you could possibly need to know to make the most out of your day trip to Harrogate. 

Let’s jump in! 

Things to do For One Day in Harrogate

There is so much to see and do but if you have just one day then here are the absolute best things to do in Harrogate;

1. Turkish Baths 

The Turkish Baths are possibly one of the most visited places in Harrogate, both by locals and visitors. Whether you are looking to relax and treat yourself to some self-love or you just want to escape from the cold in winter, this is the place to go.

The baths date back to the 19th century and are one of only 7 remaining Victorian Turkish baths in the country from that period. Pretty special right? It has been fully renovated and now is now the perfect place for a spot of luxury.

You can either opt for one of their traditional treatments or if spa days are not your thing, you can join a short guided tour of baths to learn all about it. These tours are every Wednesday morning at 9 AM.

2. Betty’s Cafe Tea Room 

If you already know anything about Harrogate then it is most likely that it is home to the famous Betty’s Tea Room. Sitting proudly in the center of town, this large traditional tea room is always packed with visitors enjoying a special treat.

And when I say packed, I’m not exaggerating. The queue is often known to go all the way around the building and down the hill. To avoid the queue they do have the option of booking an afternoon tea in advance on specific days. 

If you are short on time but still want to experience what the tea rooms have to offer then you can always visit their bakery/gift shop next door for a takeaway instead.

3. The Cenotaph 

Directly opposite Betty’s tea room, you will see the Cenotaph. Standing tall in the center of the small park this war memorial is an iconic part of Harrogate. 

This square is always full of life. It is a great place to sit and take in the bustle of everyday life, enjoy a picnic, and snap a few photos.

4. Free Walking Tour

If you are keen to learn more about the history of Harrogate then I highly recommend joining Harrogate’s one and only Free Walking Tour.

As a local, it’s always been a joy to see the guide with his sign leading happy-looking visitors around the town.

If you like to dive deeper into the places you visit then this is a great way to start your day out in Harrogate and perfect for those traveling on a budget.

5. Valley Gardens 

A short walk down the hill from the Cenotaph and Bettys you will find the entrance to the Valley Gardens. This is one of the best things to do in Harrogate and I strongly recommend taking a stroll through the gardens and seeing all the colorful flower displays. 

Even better if you are visiting Harrogate with children, Valley Gardens has the biggest playpark in the whole town, a small pond for model boats, and public toilets. Not to mention a hut selling the famous Ripley Ice Creams!

Through the summer months, Valley Gardens are often host to various events such as food festivals, small concerts, and activity days so you may get lucky if you are visiting Harrogate on a weekend.

6. Royal Hall Theatre 

Harrogate Royal Hall Theatre is a truly spectacular venue hall. With regular concerts, theater performances, and live events this is a great way to spend an evening on your visit to Harrogate.

You can check out their events diary here.

7. Royal Pump Room Museum

Another nice addition to your day out in Harrogate is a visit to the Pump Room Museum. It is a very small building but don’t be put off. You don’t need to book in advance, you can just rock up and take a step back in time through the many exhibits on display.

The main attraction of the pump room is the pump itself. The water is pumped up from a spring beneath and has a very high sulfur content. You can try samples of the water but the smell will most likely put you off. Curious? Then go have a sniff for yourself and see what I mean. 

8. Mercer Art Gallery

A great addition to your day trip to Harrogate, especially if you are an Art lover, is a visit to the Mercer Art Gallery. The building itself has been repurposed over the years from a theatre to the town hall and now the Art Gallery.

The Gallery has various exhibits that change frequently and the best part is, entrance is FREE.

9. The Majestic Hotel and Spa 

Arguably the most impressive and iconic building in all of Harrogate is the Majestic Hotel and Spa. Whether you came to Harrogate for a Spa Day or just want to go and see this marvelous building for yourself, it really is worth a visit. 

You can enjoy a spa treatment, have lunch in their restaurant, enjoy the views from their gardens, or even book a room and stay the night if one day in Harrogate just isn’t quite enough for you.

10. Victoria Shopping Centre and James Street 

When in Harrogate, it wouldn’t be a complete visit without exploring the best of the local shopping scenes. Victoria Shopping Centre is the main attraction here. 

This Victorian-style shopping center is home to a range of shops that you can browse through. 

Just don’t forget to head out the back entrance and look up at the impressive statues sitting up on the edge of the building.

For even more local and independent shops, head around the corner to James Street. There you will find the popular and ethically focused Hotel Chocolat where you can pick up some of the best chocolate in town.

11. The Stray

Harrogate has a lot of wide open, green space collectively known as The Stray. These spaces surround the center of town and are free to be used by the public for picnics, playing games, and other outdoor activities. 

The spaces are also used to host the fair when it comes to town, the bonfire and fireworks display in November, and other large events such as when the Tour de France came through town.

If you find yourself visiting Harrogate in the spring then you will need to head out across the stray to see all the cherry blossom trees in bloom.

Where To Eat And Drink In Harrogate 

Harrogate has so many cafes, restaurants, and bars that it could definitely get overwhelming trying to decide where to go. So here are my top suggestions to save you some time:

• Best Cafes: Hoxton North, Brio Cafe
• Best Restaurants: The Ivy, Jinnah Indian Restaurant, Cardamom Black Asian Food
• Best Bars: Banyan Bar & Kitchen, Major Toms Social; Foundry Project
• Best Pubs: Harrogate Arms, Montpellier Pub, The Fat Badger
• Best Bakeries: Mama Doreens, Bakeri Baltzersen

How to Get to Harrogate

Getting to Harrogate is pretty easy no matter how you are traveling.

Driving to Harrogate

If you are coming from further afield in the UK by car, then the A1 motorway is not far away. Getting to Harrogate is easy but the one-way road system can be a bit tricky and very busy in rush hour. 

Victoria Car Park is the best central car park for an all-day stay. If you don’t mind a short walk then parking on Duchy Road is about as close as you can get to the town center and park for free.

Taking the Bus or Train to Harrogate

Getting to Harrogate from Leeds or York you can either catch a bus or train. I would suggest the train as the line goes directly from Leeds to York via Harrogate about every 30 minutes and is faster than the bus.

You can also get to Harrogate from pretty much anywhere in the country by train, but they will always go via either Leeds or York.

Taking the Coach to Harrogate

An alternative way to get to Harrogate is by Coach. National Express coaches connect Harrogate to many other main cities in the country including London.

Flying to Harrogate

The nearest Airport to Harrogate is Leeds Bradford Airport around a 30-minute drive away. You can find cheap flights from big cities like London or Paris.

When is the Best Time to Spend One Day in Harrogate

Harrogate is a beautiful town all year round. From incredible flower displays in the spring and summer to wonder lights on all of the trees in the winter months. 

However, to truly feel the magic of this town, the best time to visit is in the spring/summer time: April – September.

Is Harrogate Worth Visiting?

Harrogate is well-loved by everyone who visits. Its Victorian charm and colorful attention to detail make it well worth visiting. 

Even if you only have one day in Harrogate you will absolutely not regret taking the time to explore this wonderful town.

Which is Better, York or Harrogate?

York and Harrogate are both incredibly special places and both offer very different experiences. 

Harrogate has the Victorian style and history, a focus on Spas, color parks, and afternoon teas. Whereas York’s history dates back even further with the Castle, York Minster, and the Shambles. 

I would suggest that one day in Harrogate can be enough but perhaps not for York. This would make Harrogate the better option if you are short on time.

Final thoughts: One Day in Harrogate

Hopefully, you can see now how easy it is to fill up just one day in Harrogate. There is so much to do that you will be spoilt for choice. 

Enjoy your visit and don’t forget to take your camera to snap some shots of the beautiful streets! 

Ready to head to England? Check out these resources!

Author Bio: Callie lived in Harrogate for 20 years before leaving in 2019 to live in Amsterdam. She recently quit the 9-5 to travel the world full time with her Fiance and work together on their travel blog, Counting Our Footsteps.

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