Harrogate

Introducing Harrogate

The doyenne of the Victorian spa town, prim, pretty Harrogate has long been associated with a certain kind of old-fashioned Englishness, the kind that seems to be the preserve of retired army chaps and formidable dowagers who, inevitably, will always vote Conservative. They come to Harrogate to enjoy the formidable flower shows and gardens that fill the town with an almost unparalleled array of colour, especially in spring and autumn, when the floral displays are at their height. It is truly fitting that the town’s most famous visitor was Agatha Christie, who fled here incognito in 1926 to escape her broken marriage.

Yet this picture of Victoriana redux is not quite complete. While it’s undoubtedly true that Harrogate remains a firm favourite of visitors in their golden years, the New Britain makeover has left its mark in the host of smart new hotels and trendy eateries that dot the town, catering to the boom in Harrogate’s newest trade, conferences. All those dynamic young guns have to eat and sleep somewhere...

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009