Sunday, March 14, 2010

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.

9 comments:

  1. Oh I loved this post! It looks lovely there. The photos are great, and I adore that house with the conservatory!
    Best,
    Stephanie

    ReplyDelete
  2. The pics were enough to have me salivating....I'm going to have to sit down with a cup of tea when you post about the shopping...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dash, this post was wonderful. I have to go to Harrogate! It is so different to where we live. I am so glad you had a good trip and were able to share all these beautiful photos. On another note, I am sending you the Sunshine Award to thank you for all your kind words over the past months. It has meant a lot to me:)
    Thank you!
    Jeanne
    PS..I mailed your book bag last week. Can you let me know when it arrives?? Thx.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dear Dash
    Well another lovely post.. I was mentally preparing all things I wanted to say as I scrolled through each image.. but then.. they were all so wonderful I gave up.. haha I could do some serious shopping damage there [cant wait for that post]!

    The Victorian House is incredible and I truly love that photo of The Stray in spring.. what a feeling that must be walking under that canopy of blooms .. I can imagine how happy but unusual it must be see home again.. it is funny how we see things differently after a period away.. but this is all so lovely I'm sure there was no disappointment..

    Have a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing Crusoe again.. haha.. xxx Julie

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great post... and such wonderful photographs of Harrogate - felt like I was walking around with you ! X

    ReplyDelete
  6. Going back to the UK after life in France always seems a bit of a love/hate thing - well it does for me. I notice the litter much more when I am back in the UK and also the yobs on the street corners. Oh, I shouldn't sound so negative really - sorry.

    Harrogate does look lovely though and it must have been lovely to spend some time with your mum.

    Looking forward to the shopping post.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oooh, Betty's! I've been to one, but can't remember which one. Don't think it was Harrogate.

    I think my favourite 'teatime' though is the Devonshire cream tea. Heavenshire!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Come to think of it, reading your post on Dreaming of Bettys, I think it was the one in Ilkley. :)

    I was there on holiday with the boyfriend of the time from university, a Palestinian whose father had been a founder member of the PLO. Street cred or wot?! (Initially it was a peaceful organisation... she hastens to add)

    ReplyDelete
  9. The cherry trees are lovely and Agatha Christie is one of my all time favorites, would love to visit that hotel :-)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting French Sampler, I hope you come back soon. I love to read your comments and will reply as soon as I can.