29th August 2008 - by Steve Kevin
Quintessential English: Be Charmed By Harrogate
Harrogate is located in North Yorkshire, in England. Largely a
spa town, it is one of the most picturesque places in England
that still retains its Victorian charm. Pretty is the best word
to describe the town and it is home to beautiful floral gardens
as well as the famous Betty tea rooms.
It has also become a very popular convention place with its
many charming bed and breakfasts and large convention hotels.
It also has its share of restaurants and great beautiful parks.
Unlike the other English towns, Harrogate remains largely
un-commercialized and makes it a pleasant place for
vacations.
The great thing about Harrogate is that you can walk around the
area or take a bike to sight-see. There is also a bus service
that can bring you to neighboring towns but going around on
foot is the best way to experience the charm of this English
countryside paradise.
- Architecture
The town has several beautiful buildings including the Royal
Hall theatre designed by Frank Matcham. It is the last
surviving Kursaal in England and is prized as a national
heritage site. Being a conference centre in Europe, Harrogate
also boasts of hotels and dormitories such as the Harrogate
International Centre.
- Spas
Mineral spring waters were discovered in the town by William
Slingsby in 1571. The medicinal properties of the waters were
highly expounded by books and newspaper articles that gave fame
to the place as a spa town. You can take a dip in the original
waters found by Slingsby in Tewitt Well as well as in Valley
Gardens and the Royal Pump Room.
- Parks
Still on foot, take a stroll along Harrogate's parks and
gardens. The most popular one is the Valley Gardens which was
originally "Bog's Field" where some hot springs can be found.
The park offers various attractions such as an ice cream
parlor, children's playground, a paddling pool, a pavilion for
events such as weddings, golf course and a tennis court.
The Stray, a park created by an Act of parliament runs through
the town with over 200 acres of parkland. A racecourse was
created before to link Harrogate's springs during the Victorian
times.
Walking along, you will find yourself in the center of the town
fronting the Crescent Gardens where Town Hall is located
nearby. Various tourist attractions surround the Crescent.
- Cafes
Of course, you cannot leave Harrogate without visiting its
famous Betty tea rooms. Betty's first opened its door to the
public in 1919 and its customers have since found the delicious
confections irresistible. Its elegant tea rooms have also been
renowned for serving tea the traditional English way. There are
two branches in Harrogate and the Betty Cafe Tea Room is the
Queen's favorite spot when in the area.
- Museums and Art Galleries
Harrogate's history is well preserved in the Royal Pump Room
Museum. The museum features the famous sulphur springs of
Harrogate, which was believed to have curing powers when first
discovered. Visitors also have the chance to taste the
sulphur-rich spring. It was said that various royalties and
famous people visited the Royal Pump Room in the early
days.
The Mercer Art Gallery is home to Harrogate's 19th and 20th
century fine art pieces of about 2,000. The Knaresborough
Castle and Courthouse Museum and St. Robert's Cave is worth the
trip back to medieval Harrogate.
Article Source: http://www.articlesabroad.com
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