The Harrogate Trip

Gosh, what a whirlwind visit, we have now returned home and I can't believe it's all over.  We had a wonderful time in Harrogate and I managed to fit in nearly everything I wanted to do.

It was great to spend some quality time with my Mother, see my family and catch up with friends.  I shopped until I dropped, (I am saving the shopping details for another post!). We dined out for lunch every day, I went for a lot of coffees and early doors drinks accompanied by my mother and her ever increasing coteri of eccentric friends, and most importantly, we went to the pub.

It's interesting to return to your home town after a long period of absense, seeing what was once so familiar, with new eyes and also to see the changes. 

 Harrogate, has been hit by the recession there are a lot of empty shops and business's in prime positions (mainly estate agents) I guess the strain of the exorbitant Harrogate rates was just too much.  The shops and restaurants were very quiet during the week and nearly all of them were trying to lure customers in with exciting offers and discounts, which I took full advantage of, added to that, the euro is strong against the pound at present, so I got some great bargains.

Here are some photos of Harrogate and it's shops:

The cherry tree walk, on 'The Stray'. Most visitors to Harrogate refer to 'The Stray', as a park. Driving or walking through Harrogate is a joy, and it is like passing through a park. 'The Stray' is 200 acres of protected parkland, used by the locals for leisure activities, including picnics, dog walking, horse riding, kite flying and anything else outdoorsy you can think of.

And this is what it looks like in late spring.

Crocus on 'The Stray'. Spring has arrived in Harrogate.

An old vintage photograph of 'The Stray'.

It's good to see one of these, still in use!

I had never noticed before, the large number of these wonderful Victorian seated shelters in Harrogate, on the edge of The Stray, a real throwback to the time when Harrogate was a major spa resort and the promenading Victorians and Edwardian's used them, to rest, before they continued on their way.

Typical Harrogate property, overlooking The Stray, I love the conservatory.

 

And another, recently purchased, modernised and sandblasted.

Heading into the town centre.

Ahh, Betty's.

What's in their window? Mmm, hand made, decorated chocolate Easter eggs, badgers and bunnies.

Ogdens, The Jewellers, my mother would be overjoyed if MG took me in here to purchase a diamond engagement ring.

Woods of Harrogate for all your linen and interior design needs.

Another one of Woods triple fronted windows.

Brindley's of Harrogate, specialising in fabric and more interior design.

The Royal Pump Room, which put Harrogate on the map.

This plaque, tell's you all about it.

The Old Swan Hotel, Agatha Christie famously went into hiding here, A film was made about it called 'Agatha' with Vanessa Redgrave and Dustin Hoffman, all filmed in Harrogate.

Now, this is the Park in Harrogate, the entrance to the 'Valley Gardens' created for recreation and promenading in the Victorian era.