Living in Harrogate

Harrogate is a most attractive and stylish town in the heart of the commercial centre’s of Leeds, Bradford and York. It is conveniently placed approximately two hundred miles from London in the south and Glasgow in the north and seventy miles from either coast, making it perfectly situated in the middle of the island. The area supports good communication links with regular trains from Harrogate to Leeds and York which in turn connect to the larger cities within the area. The A1M is within a few miles and links with the M1 and M62 for those requiring access around the country.

Harrogate saw the majority of its growth through the Georgian and Victorian eras which accounts for the beautiful architecture around the town. The town benefitted from its Spa origins, as it became the place to stop and "take the water", which was believed to have medicinal properties. As such the Royal Baths was built and remains today, albeit in a different form. There are numerous features which are synonymous with Harrogate, but none more so than the 200 acre Stray, which is an area of open public parkland situated to the south of the town. Other places of note are the Valley Gardens and Pump Room which is now a museum, The Royal Hall and more recently a newly constructed exhibition hall, which caters for the huge conference trade which is what Harrogate is currently more commonly known for. There are the delightful Royal Horticultural Society Gardens at Harlow Carr, which has recently been described as "One of Yorkshire's most relaxing yet inspiring locations at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales!"

The Turkish Baths and Spa provide an outstanding health and relaxation experience tailored to your every need. The area boasts some of the most impressive National Trust sites with an 800 acre estate at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, with over ten historic buildings in a stunning landscape.

The town supports a wealth of fabulous shopping facilities, from individual boutique shops to the larger chain stores. There are an abundance of restaurants and bars which cater for all age groups and origins of food, from English and European cuisine to Thai, Indian and Chinese.

There are a range of excellent schools which cater for all age groups in both the state and private sectors, in the town and surrounding area. A recent report shows that the schools in the district are outperforming the National Average of children achieving Grades A-C at GCSE, the National Average being 53.4%, and the region’s average 61.6%. This also filters through at A and AS level, with a National points score being 744.8, with this region’s average at 798.2.

The region also enjoys a low crime rate, with the area having one of the lowest recorded number of offences in the country.

Horse racing can be found in York, Wetherby, Ripon and Thirsk.

Stunning countryside, bustling market towns, history, culture and adventure, Harrogate District is an experience for everyone.